ALREADY heaped with accolades, the forthcoming Bentley Continental GT is the ultimate expression of modern classical mood.

It manages to combine all the finest grand touring elements and Bentley craftsmanship with some of the most advanced technologies and it looks simply stunning.

Conceived to be a sporting coup without rival, the Continental GT is claimed to be the fastest genuine four-seat car in the world.

Its appearance alone was enough for it to be named the car of the show at last year's Birmingham Motor Show.

With its proud nose, haughty matrix-mesh grille and wide sweeping haunches the Continental GT is the epitome of a rakish aristocrat.

The philosophy for the Continental GT was to produce a car with a short front overhang and a dominant bonnet, the pillarless cabin had to be sleek and compact while the rear end should be taut and pronounced.

A rear spoiler that retracts into the boot lid at low speeds provides essential aerodynamic stability without spoiling the car's graceful lines.

The there is the 'jewellery' brightwork has been minimised while the headlamps assume a dominant role in the styling signature.

The cabin of the two plus two Continental GT is designed to make Bentley devotees and marque newcomers feel equally at home.

Most notable is the symmetrical facia with a centre console rising up and curving left and right in front of the passenger and driver in a shape that reflects the design of the famed Bentley wings.

Other traditional touches include bullseye ventilation outlets with their organ/stop controls, aluminium pedals, chrome instrument surrounds, knurled finishes on the ancillary controls, a centrally-mounted analogue clock and of course acres of sumptuous leather and wood.

The choice of a compact twin- turbocharged W12 formation engine was made to provide a new level of power to the marque in a manner that still remained inimitably Bentley.

The basic engine is also available within the Volkswagen group (which now owns the rights to the Bentley brand) and enables it to deliver Bentley's performance goals.

With more than 500bhp in reserve, the 6-litre 12-cylinder heart is capable of propelling it to 62mph in under five seconds (quite an achievement for such a hefty lump of metal) and could go on to a potential top speed of 180mph.

The use of four-wheel drive and a paddle-operated six-speed automatic gearbox was decided in the earliest stages as this new level of power demands a commensurate level of control.

This is enhanced by the use of air springs at each corner in place of conventional coils to provide comfort for all occupants.

Bentley says that the profile of the typical Continental GT buyer, who will have to find in the region of £110,000 when it goes on sale this autumn, will be subtly different to those who buy from Bentley's existing ranges.

They will tend to be younger, with an average age of just under, as opposed to just over, 50 years old and there will be more female drivers.

But Bentley already has 3,000 orders worldwide, which means that if you put your deposit down tomorrow you won't see yours until late 2004 or early 2005 but it could be well worth the wait...