Bentley in Ireland
Ultra-Luxury Motoring
Bentley occupies the upper tier of the Irish luxury car market — above Mercedes and BMW, below only Rolls-Royce at the very apex. The brand has maintained its position as a byword for British ultra-luxury while gradually modernising under Volkswagen Group ownership, adding the Bentayga SUV (now Bentley's volume leader globally) and moving cautiously toward electrification. In Ireland, Bentley is a statement of serious financial success — the Continental GT and Bentayga are unmistakable and deliberately so.
Bentley's Irish Lineup
Bentley sells three models in Ireland: the Continental GT (grand tourer coupe and convertible), the Flying Spur (four-door luxury saloon), and the Bentayga (luxury SUV). Each comes in multiple trim and engine configurations. The W12 engine — Bentley's signature 6.0 litre twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder — remains available across the range, alongside V8 and hybrid variants.
| Model | Category | Irish Price (new) | CO₂ Band | VRT Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Continental GT V8 | Grand tourer coupe | €195,000–€235,000 | G–H (171–190+ g/km) | 37.5–41% |
| Continental GT W12 Speed | Performance GT coupe | €265,000–€310,000 | H (191+ g/km) | 41% |
| Continental GTC (convertible) | Grand tourer convertible | €220,000–€280,000 | G–H (171–190+ g/km) | 37.5–41% |
| Flying Spur V8 | Ultra-luxury saloon | €220,000–€265,000 | G–H (171–190+ g/km) | 37.5–41% |
| Flying Spur Hybrid | Ultra-luxury saloon (PHEV) | €235,000–€270,000 | A2–B1 (51–110 g/km)* | 9–11%* |
| Bentayga V8 | Ultra-luxury SUV | €210,000–€255,000 | G–H (171–190+ g/km) | 37.5–41% |
| Bentayga EWB (long-WB) | Ultra-luxury SUV LWB | €280,000–€380,000 | H (191+ g/km) | 41% |
| Bentayga Hybrid | Ultra-luxury SUV (PHEV) | €215,000–€260,000 | A2–B1 (51–110 g/km)* | 9–11%* |
* PHEV CO₂ is WLTP combined — real-world figure depends significantly on charging behaviour and battery state.
The Continental GT Speed W12 (6.0 litre, ~260+ g/km) sits in Band H, attracting 41% VRT on OMSP. Revenue's OMSP for the W12 Speed is typically set at €240,000–€270,000, meaning VRT alone on a new example approaches €100,000–€110,000. This is not a typo. All-in cost of a new W12 Speed in Ireland exceeds €370,000. The Flying Spur Hybrid PHEV, at 9–11% VRT on OMSP, is substantially more efficient: on a €240,000 OMSP, VRT is circa €21,600–€26,400 — a saving of over €70,000 relative to the W12 equivalent.
Bentley Dublin — Ireland's Ultra-Luxury Dealer
Bentley Dublin, located in the Sandyford Business Park (Co. Dublin), is Ireland's sole authorised Bentley dealer. The operation, part of the Joe Duffy Group, handles new vehicle sales, approved used stock, and ongoing servicing. The showroom is appropriately appointed for the brand — Bentley's retail standards are strict and the Dublin operation meets them.
For buyers outside Dublin, the single-dealer model means travelling to the capital for new purchases and servicing. Bentley's own service network provides some flexibility, but authorised specialist servicing is only available through Bentley Dublin in the Republic.
The Continental GT — What It Is
The Continental GT is one of the great grand touring cars of the modern era. It combines a genuinely luxurious interior — hand-stitched leather, veneered wood or metal trim, an interior that took hundreds of hours to build at Crewe — with performance that belies its mass: the W12 Speed delivers 659hp and 900Nm, reaching 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and a 335 km/h top speed. On a long Irish motorway cruise, it's deeply relaxing; on the Wicklow Gap on a clear morning, it's extraordinary.
For Irish buyers, the practical limitations are significant: the running costs (W12 engines are thirsty; expect 15–18 litres per 100 km in mixed driving), the VRT (as detailed above), and the sheer width of the car (2.28m with mirrors) which can be challenging on narrower Irish roads and in urban car parks.
The Bentayga — Bentley's Volume Seller
The Bentayga SUV has become Bentley's most important model globally by sales volume, and Ireland is no different. It combines the practicality of a large SUV with a Bentley level of interior luxury — the driver-specification panel in a top-spec Bentayga can take over 100 hours to produce. The Extended Wheelbase version adds meaningful rear passenger comfort, making it a genuine chauffeur option.
The Bentayga Hybrid is particularly relevant for Irish buyers: the PHEV powertrain brings CO₂ down dramatically and cuts VRT by €60,000–€80,000 relative to the V8 equivalent, while the real-world EV range (50+ km on a full charge) is sufficient for most Dublin urban commutes.
Buying Used Bentley in Ireland
Used Bentley models are available through Bentley Dublin's approved used programme and occasionally through wider market channels. Depreciation on Bentley varies by model and market conditions — the Continental GT W12 has seen significant depreciation in some years (a five-year-old example can be found at 40–50% of list), while the Bentayga has held better. For buyers considering a used Bentley, maintenance costs are a critical factor: annual servicing at Bentley Dublin runs €1,500–€2,500, and any major mechanical work (W12 service items, air suspension) can be very expensive. A full Bentley service history is not optional — it's essential.
New Bentley purchases offer an extraordinary degree of customisation through the Mulliner department. Buyers can specify virtually any combination of leather colours, stitching patterns, wood or metal veneers, and personalised embroidery. For Irish buyers ordering new, Bentley Dublin facilitates the commissioning process — it can take 4–8 months from order to delivery, but the result is a car built to your specific requirements rather than a configuration from stock.
Independent Verdict
Bentley in Ireland is a coherent proposition for buyers at this price level. The cars are genuinely exceptional — the build quality, the powertrain sophistication, and the grand touring capability of the Continental GT are all class-leading. The Bentayga Hybrid is the most financially rational Bentley for the Irish market given VRT. The weaknesses are the single-dealer model (all roads lead to Sandyford), the extreme running costs of the W12 models, and the fact that some competitors (particularly the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Porsche Panamera Turbo at different price points) offer comparable experiences with better reliability records. Bentley is an excellent choice; just go in with your eyes open on the numbers.
The buying process for an ultra-luxury car in Ireland is different from mainstream premium brands. We can give you context on what to expect and how to navigate the commissioning or approved used process. Get in touch here.
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