Britain’s Bentley has unleashed its ‘most dynamic road car ever’ – the new £200,000 Continental GT Speed – just as it is due to embarks on its electric revolution.
The powerful third-generation grand tourer uses an up-rated version of the brand’s monumental 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine and delivers a hefty 650bhp – an increase of 24 horsepower or a four per cent rise over the current W12 model.
This allows the 2.2-tonne leviathan to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds (0-62mph in 3.6 seconds) up to a top speed 208mph.
But expect whopping CO2 emissions and gas-guzzling fuel economy, despite the company’s plans to launch its first fully-electric model in 2025 and to only sell electrified cars from 2030.
Petrol engine swansong? This is Bentley’s latest – and potentially one of its last to feature a W12 petrol-engine – performance car, the thoroughbred Continental GT Speed
It promises sharper steering, better traction, improved stability, extra grip and the ability to take corners more safely at speed: ‘The new systems allows the driver to exit any corner with an increased level of precision and confidence,’ says Bentley.
But it could prove one of the last gasps for Bentleys big-engined gas-guzzlers as the Crewe-based car-maker looks to the future – promising to launch its first fully electric car from 2025 with the aim of being fully ‘electrified’ by 2030.
Bentley said: ‘The new Continental GT Speed is the most dynamic road car in Bentley’s 101 year history and the ultimate performance-focused interpretation of the world’s benchmark luxury Grand Tourer.’ It is ‘the most capable, performance-focused Bentley ever – with no compromise to comfort or luxury,’ it said.
There are four seats and ample luggage capacity of 235 litres.
It boasts a highly advanced chassis – with four new technologies – that increases its sporting ability yet maintains ride comfort. It also features all-wheel steering and electronic rear differential to enhance vehicle agility and stability. Newly-engineered carbon ceramic brakes provide the stopping power.
It runs on 22-inch wheels in bright silver with the option of a dark tint or black gloss finish.
With Bentley set to embark on its electric future starting this decade, this could be one of the last models to feature such a behemoth of a powerplant under the bonnet
Prices are expected to start from around £200,000 when it goes on sale later this year. Bentley says it is its ‘most dynamic road car ever’
The powerful third-generation grand tourer uses an up-rated version of the brand’s monumental 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine and delivers a hefty 650bhp – an increase of 24 horsepower or a 4% rise over the current W12 model
Electronic all-wheel steering enhances its dynamic nature. At low and medium speeds, the GT Speed’s rear wheels are steered in the opposite direction to the front wheels to aid a rapid change of direction and increase the feeling of ‘nimbleness’. At high speeds, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front, to improve stability.
This is enhanced by Bentley’s three-chamber active air suspension and a dynamic ride system which uses the 48V active anti-roll control system pioneered on the Bentayga and third-generation Continental GT – to counteract cornering forces and keep the body level.
Half of the engine’s 12 cylinders can, under certain conditions, be imperceptibly shut down to save fuel.
The 2.2-tonne leviathan can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.5 seconds (0-62mph in 3.6 seconds) up to a top speed 208mph
Electronic all-wheel steering enhances its dynamic nature. At low and medium speeds, the GT Speed’s rear wheels are steered in the opposite direction to the front wheels to aid a rapid change of direction
The GT Speed’s interior is trimmed in hide and Alcantara with 15 colours and 11 further combinations
Muscular bodywork and rear haunches present a powerful, athletic stance. Special ‘jewel’ versions of the fuel and oil filler caps are standard and there are illuminated Bentley tread-plates on both sills.
The GT Speed’s interior is trimmed in hide and Alcantara with 15 colours and 11 further combinations.
The interior cabin blends handcrafted materials with Speed trim, badging, duotone hide, and matching Alcantara which is also applied to the steering wheel.
The centre console has a new optional Dark Tint Engine Turned Aluminium technical finish. Bentley’s Diamond quilting is standard.
A range of veneers include Piano Black as standard plus a choice of no-cost options such as Crown Cut Walnut, Dark Stained Burr Walnut and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus.
Three additional ‘open pore’ options are Dark Burr Walnut, Crown Cut Walnut and Koa.
The first generation Continental GT Speed arrived in in 2007 and was inspired by the 3-Litre Speed models of the 1920s. The new GT Speed continues this ‘bloodline’ as ‘the ultimate combination of luxury and performance in a Grand Touring package’, says Bentley.
Bentley engineering director and board member Dr. Matthias Rabe said: ‘The new Continental GT Speed represents the very pinnacle of performance grand touring.
‘The world’s most luxurious Grand Tourer is now truly more capable than ever before.’
Bentley employs around 4,000 people at Crewe designing, engineering and building three model lines – Continental, Flying Spur, and Bentayga – plus bespoke Mulliner trim.
A range of veneers include Piano Black as standard plus a choice of no-cost options such as Crown Cut Walnut, Dark Stained Burr Walnut and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus. It also features the smart rotating dashboard that allow the user to switch between different layouts at the press of a switch
As you would expect from any Bentley, the cabin is beautifully finished with the finest of materials on the seats and controls
There are two seats in the rear, which qualifies it as a true Grand Tourer – or GT – car. There’s not a lot of leg-room for adults, though
Bentley’s electric revolution at a glance
Bentley Motors chairman and chief executive Adrian Hallmark has announced that Bentley is preparing to launch its first fully electric car from 2025 and to be fully ‘electrified’ by 2030.
A Bentayga Hybrid is one of nine new Bentley models to be launched this year the firm continues its ‘accelerated journey towards becoming a fully electrified car company by 2030,’ he said in January Bentley announced record total sales in 2020 of 11,206 vehicles – the highest in its 101-year history.
This was achieved despite the Covid pandemic which forced a factory shut-down. Bentley’s previous record sales year was in 2017 when it sold 11,089 cars.
Daily Mail’s Ray Massey poses next to Bentley’s EXT 100 GT electric concept car that was revealed back in 2019
Bentley has undergone a major corporate, production and financial restructuring following work by a ‘turnaround team’ from Porsche Consulting – sent in at the behest of the main
German parent company Volkswagen Group. Since March 1 Bentley now ‘falls within the management responsibility of the Audi brand’ to allow for synergies ‘as part of the electrification strategy of the two premium brands’.
Porsche boss and main VW board director Oliver Blume said last week that the turnaround team had helped Bentley switch from making a loss to increasing earnings by Euros 300 million in 2018-19. He said the Bentley team, under Hallmark, who took the helm in 2018, are doing ‘a great job’ and that Bentley was now ‘a success story’.