Bentley is reviving the heralded 'Speed' nameplate on its Continental GT, making this the most-powerful third-generation Continental yet to appear.
Power ramped up to 659hp
The Continental GT Speed uses an uprated version of the 'standard' (for want of a much better descriptor) 6.0-litre W12 biturbo engine, adding 24hp for a peak 659hp allied to the same 900Nm of torque. Performance is brutal, but then the regular W12 is hardly slow - so expect another tenth off the 0-100km/h time, the Speed clocking 3.6 seconds for the sprint, while the top speed increases by 2km/h to 335km/h all-in. Speed by name, speed by nature.
It's not just in a straight line where Bentley has done the clever work on this ultra-Continental, though, but in the chassis department. For instance, the GT Speed uses all-wheel steering, which is set-up to be a more active part of handling proceedings on the Continental than it is when deployed on the Flying Spur limousine. Added to that is active all-wheel drive with an increased rear bias, courtesy of more relaxed traction control software and different torque distribution characteristics. Bentley has also, for the first time on a Continental GT, added an electronically controlled rear differential to further sharpen the handling manners of the Speed, so that it feels more alert and agile than the 635hp W12 model it is based upon.
Swifter gearchanges
Beyond this, there's more hardware working wonders for the Continental GT Speed. It has three-chamber air suspension with adaptive damping, plus the Bentley Dynamic Ride 48-volt active anti-roll function that was first seen on the Bentayga SUV. Even the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission has been given the going over by the company, its shift times being twice as fast in Sport mode than they are in the Continental W12. There are also optional carbon-ceramic brakes, which'll shave 33kg of unsprung mass from the Speed's frame; handy, because it rolls on a whopping set of 22-inch alloy wheels in a unique design for the Speed, which are bright silver as standard and optionally available in either Dark Tint or Black Gloss.
Talking of styling, much of the Dark Tint theme can be espied on the Continental Speed's exterior. It clothes the radiator and front bumper grilles, while there are also meatier side sills, discreet 'Speed' badges in chrome on the front wings, 'jewel'-effect fuel and oil filler caps, and illuminated 'Speed' sill plates too. Inside, unique duotone leather-and-Alcantara combinations can be had, with 15 primary hide colours and another 11 secondary shades for the cabin, while the centre console can be finished in Dark Tint engine-turned aluminium if you want. Final details include 'Speed'-embroidered head restraints, diamond-in-diamond quilting on all the leather and also a 'Speed' logo on the passenger-side dash fascia.
In exalted company
By no means the first Continental GT to wear the Speed name, nor even the only Bentley in recent history to gain this desirable appellation, this is nevertheless a big launch by the marque. However, even at a monster 659hp, it's not the most powerful Continental yet seen - that signal honour remains with the Mk2 Continental Supersports of 2017, which had a colossal 710hp at its disposal.
Anyway, over to Dr Matthias Rabe, the member of the board for engineering at Bentley Motors, who said: "The new Continental GT Speed represents the very pinnacle of performance grand touring. This new model is the most powerful expression of Continental GT values, exciting and dynamic, with unique Speed detailing to enhance the ownership experience and offering customers more control over the character of the car.
"The world's most luxurious grand tourer is now truly more capable than ever before, with a new sportier edge which will appeal to performance-focused drivers. The Speed is the latest chapter in the Continental GT story, helping Bentley customers to create their own extraordinary journeys."