The surprises continued as we put the Bentley through the rest of our track tests. How would you expect it to handle in the slalom? Like the QE2? So did we, but to our utter amazement, it was able to dodge the cones at a respectable 62.2 mph. The trick to convincing this massive vehicle to dance like a car half its weight is active suspension technology. If you were to spring and dampen the Continental T permanently to handle an aggressive maneuver properly at 60 mph, it would otherwise ride like a tank. Instead, Bentley has an electronic system that determines how much resistance to body roll is required and, almost instantly, re-valves the shock absorbers to handle the demands.
Anti-lock brakes? In-doobe-tably. Courtesy of large discs at all four wheels (with dual calipers at each front disc!), the hefty Bentley stops from 60 mph in a mere 127 feet--especially reassuring considering the factory says the car is capable of an electronically limited top speed of 170 mph.
So what does "T" mean? What immediately comes to mind is, of course, "Torque!" It could also stand for "Tuxedo'ed, Turbocharged T-Rex," with "Therapeutic, Titanic Traction." How about "Talented, Threatening Treat"? The truth is, in essence, it stands for all of these. If you can afford a $299,900 Bentley Continental T, it means whatever you'd like it to mean, including "Thaumaturgist," a performer of miracles or magic feats.