The audio system is by far the best I've ever tested, whispering the subtleties of Satie or contrarily blasting "REX!" from

The Continental GT easily has this auto journalist's favorite automotive interior of all time. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

Mozart's Requiem Mass until all souls in Vienna could feel the fury, no doubt. It also made John Lee Hooker sound like a new man and boosted the bass of Seattle's X104.5 hip hop and R&B station beyond otherworldly levels. Yeah, now I know why all the rap stars feature Bentleys in their videos. The stellar sound system, user friendly electronics, polished metal detailing, gorgeous lacquered woodwork and sumptuous leather surroundings, make the Continental GT this auto journalist's favorite automotive interior of all time. And that's no easy feat. Those who read my ramblings regularly can to attest to the relentless beatings I give to cars that don't measure up, no matter what price their automakers attempt to charge. Actually, the more expensive the car the more severe my criticism can be. The Continental GT is near perfect.

Near perfect?! Well I must admit that the 6-speed automatic transmission's paddle shifters were a bit of a stretch for my smallish hands. I like the placement of the Audi TT's better, as they're pulled up tightly next to the wheel. I still managed to get into the groove, shifting the car without challenge after a few

The placement of the steering-wheel mounted paddle shifter and the shortsightedness of a CD-based navigation system were my only complaints on an otherwise perfect car. (Photo: Trevor Hofmann, Canadian Auto Press)

minutes of acclimatization. The transmission is perfectly set up for the job at hand, by the way, providing more cogs than are probably necessary considering the ample torque at my disposal. Also, a multi-disc CD-based navigation system in a modern car? Blame that on the German supplier that didn't see a need for putting more information on a disc than what's necessary to navigate around a single country. If that country is Germany, one CD is sufficient of course, but the U.S. or Canada? Hardly. Ironically the olde-world Arnage sedan features a much more sophisticated DVD-based navigation system from a different supplier. Bentley's public relations manager John Crawford assured me the problem will be resolved for 2006 model year cars, however, and if you don't have your order in for a 2005 by now you'll probably be getting a 2006 as it is. These are my only complaints by the way.