The review: Bentley Continental GT Speed is an icon reborn
Shot on location at Raffles Sentosa Singapore.
The Bentley Continental GT has a lot to answer for, because without its category-redefining debut more than 20 years ago, the benchmark for all modern grand tourers wouldn’t be so high. Now in its fourth generation, the new Bentley Continental GT is raising the bar again—in style, substance and speed. In fact, it’s now the fastest Bentley on the road; a supercar for the everyday, if you will.
While Bentley has sadly now retired its iconic W12 engine, don’t let that deter you. The new plug-in-hybrid 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 and electric motor combo means business: 575 kW of power, 1,000 Nm of torque, a 0-100km/h sprint of 3.2 seconds, delivered via an eight-speed dual-clutch and an electronic limited-slip differential to all four wheels. And yes, it still sings like a V8. In fact, Bentley’s engineers paid special attention to the growling exhaust note of the GT, without any of that artificial, electronic enhancement business. Of course, for those moments that do require silence, full electric mode can be deployed at speeds of up to 140 km/h, with throttle applications of up to 75 per cent and a pure EV mode range of up to 81km (or, a total range of 859km, combined with the V8).
Available in both coupe and convertible form, with a 2+2 seating layout, the Continental GT cuts a beautiful and elegantly sporty shape true to its bug-eyed heritage. Yet, it’s sharper, more muscular and more refined than its predecessors. The best way to clock the new generation is by its distinctive prowling tiger-like headlights—a fresh, modern play on the iconic Bentley face.
Like pieces of jewellery, three prism-esque headlights are set inside, with crystal glass-like details and an ‘eyebrow’ that strikes through the light for an additional sense of drama. Bentley enthusiasts might have noticed already, but the highly exclusive coach-built Bentley Mulliner Baclar and Batur have played muse to the new Continental GT’s interior redesign. While still familiar‚ Bentley has pared back its interior approach—great news to those who felt the previous generations were too ostentatious inside the cabin. It’s still as luxe as ever, just a little more refined.
Naturally, all of the signature Bentley touches are there: sublime levels of comfort via 20-way adjustable front seats with massage function, the iconic Bentley Rotating Display where the 12.3-inch high-definition screen can be hidden behind an unbroken side of handcrafted veneer, or three-dial face for those who prefer their instruments analogue; and that powerful feeling of control when sat behind the wheel.
For the audiophiles in the house, there’s a choice of three outstanding sound systems: a 10-speaker, 650 W standard Bentley system; a Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles; and the envy of every non-Bentley-driving music lover: the insanely dynamic Naim 2,200 W, 18-speaker system.
On the latter, Active Bass Transducers are built into the front seats and there are eight sound modes to choose from. Plus, the laminated acoustic glass across the windscreen and side windows has been engineered to reduce exterior noise by nine decibels, versus non-acoustic glazing. Of course, if you want to further personalise your GT, there are more than 46 billion styling combinations on the table from Bentley and its Mulliner bespoke division. In terms of electrical architecture, infotainment and driver assistance technology, the new-gen GT has had a huge uplift, and according to Bentley, now brags the most advanced suite of powertrain technology in the luxury segment.
While many marques are moving towards pure electrification strategies at full pelt, Bentley recently announced it planned to up its investment in hybrid engine research and development; a signal that the Crewe-based luxury marque has placed its chips on the table to say, yes, electric-ICE hybrids are hanging around for a bit longer. At least until the end of the decade, that is. And this supercar in disguise leads the perfect campaign behind why. The new Continental GT is a stunning, evocative and emotional thing to drive. It’s nimble, planted, lush, and now, with the addition of the new combined powertrain, drops near-instant acceleration and laugh-out-loud thrills across the full rev range, making devouring those long, winding, driver’s roads a little bit sweeter. As every great GT should.
Go further with the Bentley Continental GT Speed.
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