As a kid, with no discernible talent in any of the ball sports, I read. And with an interest in cars that predated -- by at least several months -- my interest in girls, I read about cars. A reliable source for much of that info was writer Ralph Stein, whose Treasury of the Automobile, first published in 1961, provided one very unique perspective on Classic-era motoring. Front and center during that era was Bentley, whose sporting legend was established in the years following World War I, and whose fate was essentially sealed by the Great Depression. Going bust, its assets were purchased by Rolls-Royce, and subsequent models were essentially Rolls-Royce derivatives.

For the balance of the 20th century, Bentley would reside in the shadow of Rolls, and given very little opportunity to break out of that shadow. Thankfully, the two companies were recently split, with Rolls-Royce -- and its assets -- going to BMW, while Bentley was acquired by the Volkswagen Group. And if you're wondering what VW might do with the Bentley moniker, relax; there are no plans to affix a Bentley grille to the hood of a New Beetle. The tangible -- and immediate -- result of the acquisition is a return to Bentley's sporting roots, both on the track and on the road.

Fast forward to early December, and Bentley's PR team has established a Texas-based itinerary it calls the Grand Tour. With Bentley's Arnage T, Arnage R and Continental GT carefully staged, our morning departure is accompanied by a dose of British drizzle. No matter, as the all-new Continental GT delivers its 560 horsepower via all-wheel drive. Pilots of the more traditional Arnage make do with rear-wheel drive, but no one's going to run a Bentley off the tarmac, regardless of conditions.

The Arnage is, at this point, a carefully massaged version of the sedan built prior to the Volkswagen buyout. The Continental GT is a different pot of tea entirely. Inspired -- at least visually -- by the Continental R of the early ´50s, this is one very unique automotive statement, as dissimilar from the Arnage as the musician known as Prince is from Prince Charles. The Bentley cues -- to be sure -- remain, with the Bentley grille fronting a steeply raked windshield and somewhat tight greenhouse. And the sculpting along the GT's flanks borders on voluptuous. If Ferraris, Astons and Lambos are 20-something sexy, then the Continental is 40-something sexy. As the success of Desperate Housewives will attest, there's nothing wrong with sexy 40-somethings.

On the Grand Tour, touring is a shared experienced. As is the GT's interior, a very unique combination of control and comfort. Spacious seating up front is complemented by a rather intimate space for two in the rear. This is genuine seating for four, but those four should either be on friendly terms at the beginning of the ride, or will be on friendly terms at its conclusion. Ergonomically, everything has that “just right” feel, with gauges you can see and controls you can reach.

The performance comes in a disciplined rush, with 0-60 in a reported 4.8 seconds, and 0-100 in just over 11 seconds. On a closed course, one could motor on to something like 198 miles per hour, which must be frustrating for those wanting to join the 200-mile-per-hour club. And with all of this performance comes a sense of security that you simply don't enjoy in those cars with names ending in “i.”

Our advice: If you've got a trust fund, tap it. And if the family fortune is still in the hands of your aging Auntie, wheel her down to the Bentley showroom and get her on the waiting list, with assurances that you'll be happy to drive it -- she just needs to sign the paperwork.