from the car and driver august 2004 issue comparison test among europe's V-12 powered super coupes-- bentley,aston martin,mercedes-benz and ferrari:

fourth place BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT 6.0L W12 551hp 479torque $159,000
highs- stylish inside and out,skilled-craftsman build quality,roomy trunk
lows- ponderous and overweight,cramped rear headroom,pillbox visibility fore-and-aft
verdict- a whale of a car,just not a whale of fun


third place
ASTON MARTIN DB9 5.9L V12 444hp 420torque $165,000
highs- highly ***y,aluminum construction,balanced handling,good auto/manual compromise
lows- claustrophobic cabin,laughable rear seats,electronic gremlins
verdict- an intimate relationship with an aston martin delaer could be an advantage(for the numerous electronic gremlins to get fixed)


second place
MERCEDES-BENZ CL600 5.5L V12 493hp 590torque $136,000
highs- locomotive thrust,most serene and practical,great active suspension,adult-size back seat,gobs of goodies for the dough
lows- nondescript styling,devoid of emotions compared with ferrari,inconsistent brake feel
verdict a wonderfully effective road car for those who never say "hey,look at me!"


first place
FERRARI 612 SCAGLIETTI F1 5.8L V12 351hp 533torque $270,000
highs- virtuouso drive stirs the soul,agility cloaks size,surprisingly spacious cabin
lows disappointing styling inside and out,are-they-serious price,monstrous thirst
verdict- if money is not an issue,this is your four-seater GT