It’s true that the Continental R doesn’t exactly dart between apexes like a Caterham, but point it at a twisty country road and it’ll do more than cope, it will entertain too. Most impressive is the way that, despite its bulk, it controls its body movement so well.
Electronically controlled damping that will kick into sports mode on demand, coupled with 255/55 tyres, generate surprising grip for such a large carriage, while the steering, which lacks feel, is more than precise enough to allow you to thread the beast through small gaps with breezy confidence.
Provoke it and, lacking traction control, it will eventually lurch into untidy understeer, but there are few pursuits in motoring more pointless or less rewarding than forcing a Continental R to go faster than it cares to.
The ride isn’t wonderful though. Although it’s able to keep a constant ride height over long-wave undulations it is a letdown over lower speed and can even become lumpy around town.
There are no complaints with the outright performance and none with its ability to stop, however. To understand the feeling inside, you’d best try to imagine surfing a tidal wave on a button-backed Chesterfield sofa. Enjoy the sensation and if you want to halt the experience, move your foot to the left and you will come to a standstill, without any fuss or bother.
