New GT Speed is the fastest Bentley ever, but it fails to outshine the entry-level V8
The new, second-generation Continental GT Speed is the fastest road car Bentley has produced to date. How relevant is that? To most of us, not very. But to those customers who keep demanding more of everything, the fact that the Speed can do 205mph – thereby topping even the exotic Supersports version of the previous-generation coupé (by 1mph) – no doubt earns them serious bragging rights.Based on the latest W12-engined Continental GT and driven here for the first time on British roads, the £151,100 Speed costs roughly £15,000 more than the regular model, and for that you do indeed get some significant upgrades: more power and torque, more performance, a higher standard specification and greater presence on the road. The only things that haven’t grown, happily, are the kerb weight and fuel consumption and CO2 figures, all of which remain identical to the standard GT’s.Compared with the standard W12 model, the Speed’s twin-turbo 6.0-litre engine gets an extra 49bhp and 74lb ft of torque. The ride height on the air-sprung suspension has been lowered by 10mm, the alloy wheels are a unique 21-inch design, the desirable Mulliner Driving Specification is standard (adding things like quilted leather on the fabulously comfortable seats) and there are subtle external tweaks, including a dark chrome finish to the mesh on the radiator grille and front air intakes.
New GT Speed is the fastest Bentley ever, but it fails to outshine the entry-level V8
The new, second-generation Continental GT Speed is the fastest road car Bentley has produced to date. How relevant is that? To most of us, not very. But to those customers who keep demanding more of everything, the fact that the Speed can do 205mph – thereby topping even the exotic Supersports version of the previous-generation coupé (by 1mph) – no doubt earns them serious bragging rights.Based on the latest W12-engined Continental GT and driven here for the first time on British roads, the £151,100 Speed costs roughly £15,000 more than the regular model, and for that you do indeed get some significant upgrades: more power and torque, more performance, a higher standard specification and greater presence on the road. The only things that haven’t grown, happily, are the kerb weight and fuel consumption and CO2 figures, all of which remain identical to the standard GT’s.Compared with the standard W12 model, the Speed’s twin-turbo 6.0-litre engine gets an extra 49bhp and 74lb ft of torque. The ride height on the air-sprung suspension has been lowered by 10mm, the alloy wheels are a unique 21-inch design, the desirable Mulliner Driving Specification is standard (adding things like quilted leather on the fabulously comfortable seats) and there are subtle external tweaks, including a dark chrome finish to the mesh on the radiator grille and front air intakes.