This is simply the most capable Bentley.
The brand new Bentley Continental GT Speed is the most dynamic road vehicle in the company’s 101 year history. This is not marketing talk. The Speed takes even more power out of the Continental GT’s W12 6.0-liter engine, adds poise through all-wheel steering, an advanced suspension setup, as well as looking even sharper with new exterior styling and a “Speed” badge.
This new Conti GT Speed’s calling card is the massive twin-turbocharged W12 engine. This engine produces 650 horsepower (485 Kilowatts) as well as 664 pound-feet (6900 newton meters), which is a 24-horsepower increase over the Continental GT. The GT Speed can reach 60 mph in 3.5 seconds, which is 0.1 second faster than the standard model. It also has a top speed at 208 mph (335 kmh).
This car is not just powered up; Bentley also updated the eight speed dual-clutch transmission to be more responsive in Sport mode. According to reports, the GT Speed’s 60-second acceleration is achieved by the retuned gearbox. It shifts twice as fast as the one in the standard Conti GT.
Also, the suspension and steering were completely reworked. The Electronic All-Wheel steering function has been updated to increase agility. It moves the front and rear wheels in different directions at moderate speeds while the four wheels rotate in the same direction at very high speeds. This improves stability and increases agility. Bentley claims that the Continental GT Speed is the most agile vehicle they have ever made. It has a Bentley Dynamic Ride feature (a 48-volt system that reduces body roll for the 5,011-pound vehicle) and a limited slip differential.
The Continental GT Speed has a subtly different look to the GT model. Dark Tint is used to toughen the exterior. This includes the grille, side sills, and lower bumper air intakes. The front bumper features chrome “Speed” badges with updated text. 22-inch trim-specific wheels are finished in standard bright silver (with the option of dark tint or glossblack) and live in the fender arches.
The cabin is treated in a similar way. It features a unique two-tone leather/Alcantara combination that covers the steering wheel, seats, and portions of its dash. You can choose between 15 main colors as well as 11 secondary colors. This allows you to mix and match your vehicle in many ways. To match the exterior, the center console can be fitted with an optional dark-tinted aluminium insert. The iconic rotating center display from base Conti is still available here.
The new Bentley Continental GT Speed will go on sale in the latter part of this year. Although pricing information has not been released by the company, expect to pay a significant increase in the price of the GT model with a V8 and the W12 model which start at $218,900.