Published on July 2nd, 2024 | by Subhash Nair

New Bentley Continental GT Speed Ditches W12 For Hybrid V8

The Bentley Continental GT Speed facelift is more powerful than ever, but it’s a hybrid.

Bentley Motors has revealed its most powerful production car ever – the new Continental GT Speed. To get to these new heights of performance, the new Continental GT Speed ditches the iconic W12 motor in favour of a 4.0-litre V8 engine with an electric motor. The new powertrain has a combined output of 782 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque. This propels the car from 0-110km/h in about 3.1 seconds, with a top speed of 335 km/h.

The hybrid system also allows for 81 km of electric-only range, making it an everyday supercar with impressive eco-credentials. CO2 emissions are rated at just 29 g/km, a significant improvement over its predecessors.

Visually, the Continental GT Speed showcases Bentley’s new design language. The most striking change is the adoption of single headlamps – a first for a mainstream Bentley since the 1950s. The overall exterior has been cleaned up, with fewer surface breaks resulting in a more muscular and refined shape.

Inside, the cabin continues to set benchmarks for luxury. New features include Wellness seating with Postural Adjust and Auto Climate functions, as well as a Dark Chrome Specification for a more contemporary aesthetic. The innovative Bentley Rotating Display remains, offering either a 12.3″ touchscreen, analog dials, or a clean veneer finish at the touch of a button.

Underpinning the new Continental GT Speed is Bentley’s Performance Active Chassis. This includes active all-wheel drive, electronic limited-slip differential, all-wheel steering, and torque vectoring. New dual-valve dampers and dual-chamber air springs provide an even better blend of performance and comfort.

For the first time, the Continental GTC Speed convertible is launching alongside the coupe. It features a fabric roof that can be deployed in 19 seconds at speeds up to 48 km/h, with performance nearly matching its hardtop sibling.

To demonstrate the capabilities of the new Continental GT Speed, Bentley set an unofficial speed record in the world’s longest and deepest subsea tunnel. The car reached its top speed of 335km/h in Norway’s 14.4 km Ryfylke Tunnel, showcasing its remarkable performance in a controlled environment.

The new Bentley Continental GT Speed represents a significant leap forward in the grand touring segment. With its blend of extreme performance, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled luxury, it sets a new benchmark for high-end automobiles.

Malaysian luxury car enthusiasts can expect the new Continental GT Speed to arrive in European showrooms in Q3 of this year but order books should be open at Bentley Kuala Lumpur’s showroom. While pricing has not been announced, it’s expected to command a premium over the outgoing model, reflecting its advanced technology and enhanced performance.