Continental GT S

The long way up

The journey matters

Carving through the Alps

The perfect companion

They say that life is a journey and not a destination, and few places demonstrate the point quite like FAT Mankei. Perched at 2,262 metres in the Austrian Alps, this mountain hut was first adopted and then completely rebuilt by FAT International, not just because of the views but for the incredible drive to reach it. Today, we’re behind the wheel of the new Continental GT S, heading up to the Bentley meeting, a Cars and Coffee event in the clouds. And yes, from where I’m sitting, the road looks just as inviting as the rendezvous.

The Grossglockner High Alpine Road lies about two hours south of Salzburg in the Austrian Alps. Opened in 1935, it was seen as an incredible engineering achievement at the time, laying a road for 30 miles along what had been a treacherous mountain path. As well as making the pass safer for trade, it also appealed to a new kind of visitor in the 1930s – the “motor tourist”. Soon, high-octane races were held on the newly completed pass, using the pre-war grand prix cars of the time. Grossglockner has been a car enthusiast’s destination ever since.

Our Continental GT S is the perfect car for this drive. Finished in the appropriately named Glacier White, it stands out like a shard of ice against the rock faces and grey asphalt, framed by the summer snowfall that arrived 24 hours earlier. Beneath the muscular bodywork lies Bentley's new High Performance Hybrid V8 powertrain, which produces 671bhp and an enormous 686lb ft of torque. And to keep all that energy in check, the GT S is also fitted with the Bentley Performance Active Chassis, featuring active all-wheel drive, a sophisticated ride system to control body movement and four-wheel steering.

Explore The GT S

Into thin air

The climb begins

Corner one

The higher we climb

Arriving from the north, the journey begins at the toll station at Ferleiten. Access costs €46.50 for a car, granting entry to one of Europe's greatest driving experiences. Be aware, the road is closed throughout winter (usually from early November through to late April) and even in the summer, bad weather can mean entry is limited to cars wearing winter tyres. Today, however, we’re lucky: conditions are perfect, the skies are blue, and from the cool air of the shady valley the distant peaks sparkle with fresh snow.

Once you’re through the toll, the lower slopes flow gently through forests and open meadows. The Continental GT S settles into an easy rhythm, the hybrid V8 full of promise with its deep, purposeful growl. Then comes the first numbered hairpin – every major hairpin on the Grossglockner is marked as a “Kehre” or turn, counting your progress towards the summit. We are at Kehre 1 of 17 on the road to the top.

As altitude increases, the bends tighten and the scenery becomes ever more dramatic. The Bentley feels fabulously agile, the all-wheel steering rotating the car through the tighter corners, while immense reserves of power launch it towards the next bend. The 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 is boosted by a 187bhp electric motor, and the instant response of that electric torque means the acceleration feels effortless and immediate. To see a short straight and squeeze the accelerator is to experience a fleeting sensation of flight – you dispatch the next stretch of road in a single bound, giving you a feeling of almost superhuman capabilities… Then again, that long drop over the barrier maintains a sense of dangerous perspective.

Create your own GT S

Over the top

Beyond Mankei

The other side

The destination

The GT S feels beautifully balanced, and turns with a neutral posture. With the hybrid system and the active chassis, there’s a lot of technology at work under the skin, but it feels natural and intuitive to drive. So much so, that when the FAT Mankei restaurant appears, already buzzing with activity, I’m having too much fun to stop straight away, so we continue upwards. The road climbs beyond the hut, to reach the Hochtor Tunnel, cut directly into the mountain – the highest point on the route at 2,504 metres.

Emerging from the tunnel feels like entering a different world. Strong northerly winds the previous day have left even deeper snow on the southern slopes. Against the brilliant white landscape, the Continental is like an arctic hare sprinting across the mountain. We stop on the edge of a precipice and look down at the road, unfolding below in a series of elegant hairpins. It’s an incredible route just to look at, never mind drive.

Eventually we return to FAT Mankei and the Bentley event. Everyone here has enjoyed the same journey and there are plenty of conversations about the drive – the Grossglockner isn’t simply a means of reaching the venue, it’s an essential part of the experience. For Bentley drivers visiting Austria, there can be few more rewarding roads anywhere in the world.

Explore FAT Mankei

Summit Meeting