New £164,000 GTC Speed packs a massive 616bhp and will be the world’s fastest four-seat drop-top
Bentley has created what it claims is the world’s fastest four-seat drop-top by slotting the drivetrain from the Continental GT Speed into the Convertible. With a claimed top speed of 202mph, the car is 3mph slower than the GT Speed coupé but 7mph quicker than the old Bentley Speed Convertible.
Powered by the twin turbo 6.0-litre W12, the car has 616bhp and 590lb ft, giving it a 0-60mph time of 4.1sec. All of the torque is available from 2000rpm and continues until 5000rpm, and 100mph comes up in 9.7sec. In the Convertible, the engine returns 19mpg, a 15 per cent improvement over the old car.
As with the Speed GT, the suspension has been lowered by 10mm compared to the regular GT, with stiffer bushes, uprated anti-roll bars and revised air springs and dampers. The steering has been reworked to provide greater feedback.
The increase in top speed over the convertible hasn’t required much additional aerodynamic work to increase downforce — Bentley says a gentle lip on the bootlid is enough to keep the car on the road. Other external changes include dark chrome air intakes and radiator grille, 21–inch wheels (only available on the Convertible), and enlarged tailpipes with rifled interiors.
Inside the car is trimmed in Mulliner spec, with its characteristic quilted diamond pattern leather, along with dark aluminium across the dash. Carbonfibre is an option.
It will go on sale next summer, and although Bentley hasn’t decided on pricing, expect it to cost around £164,000, around £15,000 more than a regular GT Convertible. It is expected to make its first public outing at the Detroit motor show this month.
Dan Stevens