The fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT Speed continues the family tradition established over 21 years. It redefines powerful performance, handcrafted quality, and everyday practicality. The upgraded 4.0T V8 engine paired with an electric motor forms a plug-in hybrid system. This system delivers a total power of 782 horsepower and a maximum torque of 1,000 Nm. These figures surpass those of the previous top-tier W12 engine. Beneath its gentlemanly exterior, the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed houses a more spirited heart. It remains a GT sports car that balances everyday usability. Comfortable seats, luxurious interior craftsmanship, and various customization options highlight its ultra-luxury status. The Bentley fourth-generation Continental GT Speed embodies prestige, style, sportiness, and the most powerful plug-in hybrid technology, creating a perfect combination. This is Bentley’s most powerful road car ever.
The new Continental GT Speed and the convertible version feature a plug-in hybrid system. This system combines a 4.0T V8 engine with an electric motor. It delivers a total power of 782 horsepower and a maximum torque of 1000 Nm. An 8-speed dual-clutch transmission handles the power. The car accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds and reaches a top speed of 335 km/h. Compared to the previous W12 6.0T engine, it gains 123 horsepower and 100 Nm of torque. The 0-100 km/h time improves by 0.5 seconds. The electric motor makes the new Continental GT Speed the most powerful road car in Bentley’s history.
If you want to hide the V8 engine’s powerful roar, switch to E MODE for pure electric mode. The new Continental GT Speed offers an electric range of up to 81 kilometers. The 190-horsepower motor supports speeds of around 140 kilometers per hour. This is sufficient for short commutes. You can also switch to hybrid or charge-hold mode using the E MODE button. This meets various travel needs. The official claim states that with a full tank and full charge, the total range reaches 859 kilometers.
What is it like to drive a nearly 2.5-ton GT sports car on the track? With the help of the electric motor, the new Continental GT Speed offers strong acceleration from the start. The motor compensates for low-end torque, allowing the engine to climb RPMs easily. You feel no turbo lag during the experience. The 8-speed dual-clutch transmission shifts quickly. You only sense the continuous push and the rich sound behind your head. With 782 horsepower and 1000 Nm of torque, the car handles its weight effortlessly. This proves that power can create miracles. The V8 engine produces a deep, resonant sound, providing emotional value unmatched by electric car sound simulations.
Fast cornering means real speed. On the track, drivers worry about understeer or oversteer. The new Continental GT Speed excels with its all-wheel drive and a 49:51 front-to-rear weight distribution. This setup allows for high cornering speeds without noticeable understeer or oversteer. It also features a remarkable rear-wheel steering system. During low-speed turns, the rear wheels steer opposite to the front wheels. This enhances the car’s agility, allowing it to enter corners faster than expected and accelerate out sooner. Sometimes, you can hear the tires scream, yet the car remains highly controllable, allowing continuous exploration of its limits.
The new Continental GT Ultimate features a new chassis system. It uses new dual-chamber air springs and new dual-valve dampers. The car includes Bentley’s dynamic driving system with a 48V active roll control system, an electronic limited-slip differential, and a torque vectoring system. During spirited driving, the car stays stable in fast corners. The roll control is excellent, ensuring good vehicle handling. The new dual-valve dampers maintain comfort even over bumpy edges. However, on the track, you might feel less road feedback. This can lead to mistakes in subtle adjustments. Remember, it is still a luxury car, not a pure track machine.
The new Continental GT Ultimate Edition accelerates quickly and stops effectively. It features powerful front 10-piston and rear 4-piston brake calipers. The setup includes 440mm front brake discs and 410mm rear discs made of silicon carbide. In real-world testing, this brake system shows no significant heat fade after repeated hard braking. It maintains excellent stopping power. Additionally, the new chassis system prevents the front from dipping too much during hard braking. The car retains outstanding body posture.
The convertible’s body structure differs from the standard version. The body rigidity relies entirely on the underbody structure. Intense driving on the track tests this rigidity. In practice, I found no difference in handling between the convertible and the standard model. I heard no unusual noises from the roof’s mechanical structure. The side view also confirms that the convertible’s body rigidity can handle aggressive driving. Steady yet sharp.
The new Continental GT Ultimate Edition showcases Bentley’s forward-looking design. The front draws inspiration from the elegant stance of a thoroughbred horse. This ultra-luxury sports tourer stands out. The “powerline engine hood” highlights strong, horizontal lines. It hints at powerful performance and exceptional speed potential.
The front face of the new Continental GT changes the most in 21 years. It becomes the first Bentley model since the 1950s to use a single large headlight design. This change gives the new Continental GT a more decisive front design. It draws inspiration from a tiger’s focused expression while hunting. The headlights feature a new horizontal “eyebrow” design. The top displays a deep, crystal-cut diamond effect. The bottom showcases a luminous texture. The matrix headlight consists of 120 independently controlled LEDs. It adjusts digitally based on high and low beam needs. This enhances headlight performance. The high beam range expands, and the transition between light and dark improves. This smooth transition prevents the “black hole effect,” reducing driver discomfort and providing a more relaxed driving experience.
The side changes are more obvious than the old model. The car looks like a resting beast, poised and calm. The rear side has a strong and muscular feel. The dimensions for both the ultimate version and the convertible ultimate version are 4895*2187*1397mm, with a wheelbase of 2851mm. Additionally, the convertible soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds at speeds under 48 km/h.
The new 22-inch wheels feature a distinctive directional design. They draw inspiration from a fierce tiger. The wheels grip the ground like sharp claws. Buyers can choose from a glossy black finish, a silver finish, or a dark finish with polished accents.
The rear section has a new design. It includes the bumper, taillights, trunk lid, and exhaust pipes. The bumper stands out more. It highlights the car’s width and reduces clutter. The overall design looks simpler and smoother.
The trunk lid features integrated aerodynamic design. It provides sufficient downforce without needing an additional lift spoiler.
The taillights have a fresh look. Their visual width increases significantly. The light body extends to the trunk lid and protrudes beyond the trunk’s edge. Inside, a dazzling three-dimensional diamond pattern runs through the entire light body. When the taillights illuminate, the diamond tips stand out, creating a stunning effect like flowing lava. Luxury can be customized.
The new European GT cabin features precise stitching. It draws inspiration from modern fashion design. The stitching covers the seats and doors. Three-dimensional stitching, subtle perforations, and new embroidery techniques combine beautifully. This creates a highly enveloping seating space.
The new Continental GT features the innovative Bentley three-sided rotating center panel. One side has a 12.3-inch HD display. Another side displays three elegant analog dials. The third side showcases a handcrafted finish. A simple touch of a button switches between the three sides.
The fourth-generation Continental GT introduces a new member of Bentley’s digital ecosystem: the My Bentley App Studio. This feature allows customers to download and install various apps directly to the infotainment system. They can operate these apps without relying on a smartphone. The apps cover music, video, gaming, navigation, parking, and charging. They integrate seamlessly into the infotainment system and operate safely while driving.
The new Continental GT features 20-way adjustable seats. These seats lead the class in comfort and refinement. One highlight of the cabin is the optional wellness seat package. It includes a relaxation seating function and automatic temperature adjustment for the front seats.
Mulliner, Bentley’s customization department, offers unique configurations for the new Continental GT Speed and Convertible Speed. Customers can further personalize these latest models. All models feature a new MULLINER-exclusive “floating diamond” grille. It includes a chrome frame, a chrome center bar, a chrome lower grille, chrome side accents, and chrome exhaust tips. The mirror caps come in a matte silver finish, complementing the chrome accents. Customers can also choose the MULLINER Black Package. This option replaces all chrome accents and mirror caps with gloss black. MULLINER models include a specially designed 22-inch polished wheel. Customers can select from tungsten grey or gloss black finishes. Each wheel comes with a unique center cap.
The handcrafted seats feature accent-colored piping. They showcase unique MULLINER embroidery and a new MULLINER diamond perforation pattern. These elements enhance the luxury of the cabin.
A unique “Panda” special edition MULLINER model, based on the Bentley Flying Spur, showcased at the test drive event. Bentley crafted distinctive design details. The car displays a panda pattern on the body emblem, seat back embroidery, and passenger side dashboard trim. The exterior features a custom badge that reads “1 OF 1 BY BENTLEY MULLINER,” highlighting extraordinary luxury.
The fourth-generation Continental GT Speed combines everything into one. It serves as Bentley’s most powerful road car ever. The fourth-generation Continental GT Speed also offers excellent handling, comfort, and a new design that feels more powerful. It features luxurious craftsmanship and endless customization options. This diverse blend perfectly captures the brand’s essence and redefines the ultra-luxury sports tourer.