The Crewe-based Bentley brand has evolved its Continental GT Speed. Jonathan Crouch reports.

Ten Second Review

Bentley brings us a new kind of Continental GT Speed, this one ready for the electrified era courtesy of the brand's Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain which features in this top model. There's bolder exterior styling too. For this fourth generation model, the Crewe company has abandoned its classic W12 engine, but devised a way for its charismatic 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 to live on - as a Plug-in Hybrid; arguably the world's fastest Plug-in Hybrid. Two versions of this PHEV powertrain are available; for the GT, the High Performance Hybrid (with 680PS and 930Nm of torque); the GT Speed version we look at here gets the 'Ultra Performance Hybrid' unit (with 782PS and 1,000Nm of torque). The Speed version is Bentley's most powerful road car ever; for reference, that's 123PS and 100Nm more than the previous W12-engined GT Speed model. 592PS of this current model's power total comes from its VW Group-sourced V8, with a further 190PS contributed by an e-motor built into the automatic gearbox. That motor is energised by a 25.9kWh battery beneath the boot floor that (with both powertrains) Bentley claims will take the car up to 53 miles and at speeds of up to 87mph.

Background

Early Bentley models were sports cars. More recently, the brand has been primarily known for its luxury GTs. Can the company really produce a car able to combine both these attributes? This model, the fourth generation Continental GT, claims to be able to do just that. And together with the Bentayga SUV, it's crucial to the future of this famous automotive brand. No pressure then. It's no exaggeration to suggest that without the original version of this car, launched back in 2003, then updated in 2011, Bentley wouldn't still exist as an automotive maker; not in the form we know it today anyway. While the company's exclusive limousine-style saloons sell in fractional numbers, this model series keeps the eco-friendly production lines in Crewe purring along at the rate of over 5,000 sales a year. An impressive return for the Volkswagen-owned manufacturer given that the Conti GT, in its first two generations of life, was a good car but never a great one, hamstrung by fundamentals borrowed from an old fashioned Volkswagen Phaeton saloon dating back to the turn of the century. This Continental was a consummate Grand Tourer, but it wasn't really a choice for driving enthusiasts. The MK3 model of 2018 in contrast, shared its lighter, stiffer MSB chassis with the very latest second generation Porsche Panamera. That car also donated a quicker-reacting dual clutch gearbox, plus there was a more sophisticated 4WD set-up, much better weight distribution, sophisticated adaptive air suspension and an active anti-roll system, all of it helping to make the car more agile through the bends. All of which is important to know in considering this fourth generation model, launched as both a Coupe and a GTC Convertible in mid-2024, because it's essentially just a heavy evolution of that previous model. Bentley of course doesn't see it that way, claiming that 68% of the parts used are new. Most of those lie under the bonnet, where the previous thirsty conventional W12 and V8 units get replaced by the PHEV powertrain that Bentley promised but never delivered with the previous generation model. And it's fast, whether you choose the High Performance Hybrid variant (680PS) or the top Speed version (782PS) we look at here. So does being able to plug this big GT in justify its place in this modern electrified world? And in this class, it is it more Aston Martin DB11 than Porsche 911 Turbo? Or an ideal combination of both?

Engines and Tech Spec

For this fourth generation model, the Crewe company has abandoned its classic W12 engine, but devised a way for its charismatic 4.0-litre twin turbo V8 to live on - as a Plug-in Hybrid; arguably the world's fastest Plug-in Hybrid. Two versions of this PHEV powertrain are available; for the GT, the High Performance Hybrid (with 680PS and 930Nm of torque); the GT Speed version we look at here gets the 'Ultra Performance Hybrid' unit (with 782PS and 1,000Nm of torque). The Speed version is Bentley's most powerful road car ever; for reference, that's 123PS and 100Nm more than the previous W12-engined GT Speed model. 592PS of this current model's power total comes from its VW Group-sourced V8, with a further 190PS contributed by an e-motor built into the automatic gearbox. That motor is energised by a 25.9kWh battery beneath the boot floor that (with both powertrains) Bentley claims will take the car up to 53 miles and at speeds of up to 87mph. Obviously, do one and you won't be able to do the other. Despite the 2.5-tonne kerb weight (around 200kg heavier than the old W12 GT), performance from both powertrains is explosive, 62mph flashing by in just 3.5s in the 680PS GT model - or 3.2s with this Speed variant. If you can find a race track or the right stretch of autobahn, the Speed version goes on to a top speed of 208mph. But this car will need more than sheer speed to match competitors, principally arch-rival Aston Martin's DB12. Well to that end, not much has changed underneath, this fourth generation design carrying forward its predecessor's VW Group-sourced MSB platform and basic body structure. Bentley though, says that weight distribution has been shifted fractionally backwards for a better 50:50 balance. And there are now twin valve dampers which, it's claimed, have enabled the engineers to optimise dynamic ability and comfort. In the most frantic 'Dynamic' drive mode, the drivetrain is tuned to let the rear axle slip slightly, giving the driver greater control of power deployment mid-corner. But if you're planning to drive like that regularly, you really should have bought a 911 Turbo.

Design and Build

Where virtually nothing about the third generation Continental GT was shared with its predecessor, this replacement model looks much more like the elegant facelift it is. As before, there's the choice between Coupe and GTC Convertible body styles, the latter with a power-folding roof that can be raised or lowered in 19 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph. Visual cues have been borrowed from the Mulliner division's exclusive Batur and Bacalar models, most obviously the striking new headlamp design with its 'eyebrow' motif - we'll see that on other future Bentleys. These lights flank a shallower grille and a simplified lower bumper. While out back, the oval rear lights and exhaust pipes are now more shapely, the tail lamps split into two pieces. In profile, you might pick up the new 22-inch wheels and the more muscular bodywork which, as before, has rear haunches echoing the 1950s R-Type Continental. The at-the-wheel experience is as exquisite as it always is in a Bentley, the dashboard sculpted by long flowing wings that mirror the shape of the Bentley badge. With this new model, the centre console's been lightly redesigned with smarter switchgear and fewer high-gloss finishes. Over ten square metres of wood is used in every Continental GT and it takes over nine hours to create and fit the intricate wooden inlays by hand. The stitched leather on the brilliantly supportive seats is exquisite too, particularly with the optional 'diamond in diamond' quilted finish. A sophisticated 12.3-inch screen remains to dominate the centre of the fascia, with all the usual audio, navigational and informational functions, but gets new hardware and software. There's still the 'Bentley Rotating Display', which sees the centre monitor somersault into the dash when you power off. Or, on the move, you can choose to turn the panel to its third face, which gives you three little old-style analogue dials - for air temperature, a compass and a stopwatch. Lovely. Through the stitched three-spoke wheel, you view a virtual instrument panel, the centre part of which can be customised to the elements you want to view. As before, the Continental GT is a proper four seater with two quite comfortable rear seats, though they're severely restricted on leg room and a broad transmission tunnel still runs down the centre of the cabin. Out back, there's a 260-litre boot, reduced to just 134-litres with the GTC Convertible.

Market and Model

Of course, Bentley speed and craftsmanship will never be inexpensive and, sure enough, you'll be looking at a high price for ownership - £236,000 for the Coupe GT Speed (about £34,000 more than the base 680PS GT PHEV model). For GT Speed customers, there's a premium of around £16,000 for the GTC Convertible version. As you'd expect, you get a very special experience in return. Take the 20-way adjustable front seats for example, which are said to set industry standards for comfort and refinement. Smooth centre panels allow maximum efficiency for the cooling, heating and massage functions, while the bolsters retain the signature Bentley quilting. As an option, an event more exclusive 'diamond in diamond'-style quilting finish is available which gives the effect of a 'floating' quilted surface in a sea of leather. The new Dark Chrome Specification provides what Bentley calls 'a more contemporary aesthetic' and aims to give a more understated character to the cabin. This applies to door handles, switches, speak grilles and many other areas around the interior. Bentley's bespoke division - Mulliner - will also be offering a collection of unique features enabling further personalisation to this model.As before, a choice of three audio systems is offered in the Continental GT. The standard system features 10 speakers and 650-watts, while a Bang & Olufsen 1,500-watt 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles is aimed at lifestyle-oriented customers. A Naim 2,200-watt 18-speaker system with Active Bass Transducers built into the front seats and eight sound modes is offered for the true audiophile. Laminated acoustic glass is retained for the windscreen and side windows, resulting in a nine-decibel reduction in exterior noise versus non-acoustic glazing. And the wheels come in a huge 22-inch size as standard.

Cost of Ownership

In one hit, the CO2 return of this GT Speed has gone from 278g/km (which was the stat of the previous generation W12 model) to just 29g/km. Such are the benefits of Plug-in Hybrid tech, which in this case offers a 50 mile EV driving range. The battery can be fully replenished in as little as two and three quarter hours thanks to significant improvements in charger and battery capacity, with 11kW peak charging power.  You can monitor charging status via the provided Bentley app. And using this, pre-condition cabin temperature too.   If you use this car as its maker intends, you shouldn't expect fuel economy to be massively better than the previous models (not helped by the fact that this latest car's PHEV system adds over 200kgs to the kerb weight), but around 30mpg on a regular basis should be more achievable. And of course, if you keep the battery topped up and use your Continental GT mainly for suburban journeys, you shouldn't end up spending too much on fuel at all - which will be a completely new experience for many owners. Servicing and consumables will of course be expensive and as you'd expect, insurance is a top-of-the-shop group 50.

Summary

In bringing Bentley into a new era, the Continental GT has proved to be a hugely significant car and this fourth generation Plug-in Hybrid version is more desirable still. Purists may grumble at the Teutonic influence, but one can't help feeling that if WO Bentley is watching, he'd now be mighty proud of the car that bears his name. This model seamlessly blends the brand's glittering heritage with the latest technology to create a highly desirable package. Sure, you can create a slightly more driver-focused machine than this by choosing a rival from another brand that compromises in certain areas - luxury, cabin space, refinement. Bentley though, hasn't been deflected from its quest to create the ultimate all-round GT. A car you could cross Continents in. But one you'd also love to try on the odd twisting mountain pass or racetrack as you did it. With previous versions of this model though, driving dynamics for the enthusiast were way off the kind of thing a Porsche, an Aston Martin or a Ferrari would give you. This fourth generation Continental GT aims to considerably reduce that gap, while further cementing its reputation as the market's premier long distance GT luxury sportscar. It's quite an achievement. The German hierarchy, it seems, has finally got a proper handle on what a Bentley should be - what the marque is all about. And British enthusiasts can finally relax. On this evidence, this famous name is in good hands.