Bentley’s Continental GT coupe has been on the roads of Australia for almost seven years now, yet still looks remarkably fresh in its styling. But the upmarket British marque has decided to stay ahead of the game by freshening up its shape for 2011.

The clever Bentley designers at Crewe have retained the sculpted from an ingot look that has worked so well, but have sharpened up the style at the front and rear of the Continental GT. At the front the traditional Bentley radiator grille has been retained, but now has a race-car like matrix and has a slightly more upright stance. The grille is flanked by smaller headlights with a fascinating jewelled effect that looks brilliant. Daytime running lights are built into the headlights.

Widening the lower grilles of the Continental GT coupe and giving them larger air intakes provides a positive look that could almost be described as aggressive – we can't help but feel that Walter Owen Bentley would like this throwback feature to his giant racing cars of the 1920s and 30s.’

The rear is interesting in using what the Bentley designer describe as a ‘double-horseshoe’ shape of the type that was first seen on the Bentley Mulsanne. The effect is particularly interesting when viewed directly from the rear. The ‘horseshoes use the shape of the bootlid and the way it dips down into the rear bumper to gain this effect.

Inside, the handcrafted cabin of the latest Bentley Continental GT has received a full makeover. Using high quality materials in the seats and trim have always given this car a wonderful ambiance. Just as importantly for those travelling in the rear of this coupe, the front seats have been reshaped in their rearmost segments to provide a little more legroom for those in the back of the cabin.

A new design theme sees a wider swooping look of the dashboard that's ties in with a larger centre section and works nicely.

Under that long bonnet resides the twin-turbo V12 6.0-litre engine we have enjoyed sitting behind several times in the past. In its latest iteration it produces a meaty 423 kilowatts of power and a very satisfying 700 Newton metres, that's right 700, of torque. The result is a 2.75 tonne car that accelerates like a sportscar – would you believe just 4.4 seconds from rest to 100 km/h.

The latest Bentley Continental GT coupe carries on a fine tradition of craftsmanship and style and those that can afford one will be delighted with this makeover.