FORECOURT
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED
The GT Speed has a range of additions over the standard Continental and Jack Evans found himself bowled over by it.
Under the bonnet The 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 pumps out 650bhp and 900Nm of torque.
WHAT IS IT? The Bentley Continental GT has become a symbol of fast, luxurious cross-country motoring. The GT Speed that we’re testing here aims to throw some added agility into the mix. WHAT’S NEW? Bentley has reworked some key aspects of the Continental to make it even more agile. So the transmission has been recalibrated to provide snappier shifts, while a new rear-wheel steering system gives extra agility. Plus, there are subtle styling upgrades such as special W12 graphics in the side grilles to reference the huge engine. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? We’ve got the full-fat 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine that has cemented itself into Bentley’s history. It’s a hugely powerful unit, bringing 650bhp to the table, but it’s the torque figure that really shines through – all 900Nm of it. Sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, these outputs contribute to a 0-60mph time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 208mph – which isn’t bad considering the GT Speed weighs just over 2.2 tonnes. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? It’s pleasing to note that right from the off the regular Continental GT’s excellent ride quality has been carried over to the Speed. There’s no jarring and no thumping through potholes, despite our test car’s huge 22-inch forged wheels. It means that the Speed can be relaxing and comfortable when you need to be. But gain a bit of pace and it’s clear to see that Bentley has seriously overhauled the GT for this new model. It turns with a crispness that you might not expect from a car of this size, while the brakes – which feature huge 10-piston front callipers – are immensely powerful but packed with feel, too. HOW DOES IT LOOK? Bentley has always maintained a great ability to create high-end, expensive cars that don’t feel over the top or grossly flamboyant. So while the GT Speed might cost north of £200,000, it isn’t treated with animosity out on the road. People like a Bentley and the style feels like part of that. In terms of ways to differentiate the Speed from the regular 30 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
THE KNOWLEDGE
Bentley Continental GT Speed Base price: £209,900 Engine: 6.0-litre twinturbocharged W12 Power: 650bhp Torque: 900Nm Max speed: 208mph O-60mph: 3.5 seconds MPG (combined): 20.6mpg Emissions: 311g/km CO2
