The word has been circulating for years that the iconic W12 engine will soon be phased out, much to the disappointment of Bentley fans and performance car aficionados alike. It’s even led some to wonder whether or not the company will be able to deliver the same standard—without the W12, can Bentley still create the best luxury sports cars?
Turns out, the answer is a resounding yes.
Despite lacking the 12-cylinder of yore, the redesigned fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT Speed is among the quickest Bentleys we’ve ever seen. So quick, in fact, that it’s already set a new speed record.
The Bentley Continental GT Speed’s V8 Engine
The new powertrain replacing the W12 was developed specifically for the Continental GT Speed—an Ultra Performance Hybrid V8.
The system is made up of three key components:
- A monster 584-horsepower 4.0-liter V8 engine, which cranks out 590 pound-feet of torque.
- A 187-horsepower electric motor, which handles the low-end torque and allows the car to run solely on battery power.
- A 25.9 kilowatt-hour battery mounted near the back axle, which provides up to 50 miles of all-electric driving range.
With the gas-powered and electric motor working in tandem, the total combined system is rated for 771 horsepower, putting the new Continental GT Speed firmly in the running for the most powerful hybrid car we’ve ever heard of. This new powertrain allows for a blistering top speed of 208 miles per hour and a zero-to-sixty time of just 3.1 seconds.
Thanks to the new electron-driven powertrain, it’s able to achieve all of these impressive stats while managing a massive decrease in emissions, further strengthening Bentley’s growing luxury electrified portfolio.
Peak Performance and Purpose-Built Parts
The all-new powertrain is rounded out by Active All-Wheel Drive and an eight-speed dual clutch automatic transmission. The new Continental GT Speed also features an electronic limited slip differential routed to all four wheels, which uses active torque vectoring to provide excellent traction regardless of pavement conditions.
Suspension has been revamped to deliver uncompromising driving dynamics. The car is fitted with dual chamber air springs and a new dual valve damper system, which features an upgraded control unit that adjusts to minute changes in road forces on the fly.
Thanks to the judiciously placed hybrid battery, the Continental GT Speed now boasts a weight distribution of 49:51. This further aids in its ability to glide across the tarmac like never before.
Exterior Touches For a Commanding Presence
The body and fascia of the Continental have received multiple aesthetic touches, differentiating it from previous models and bringing it into the current era, while also retaining the distinct two-door character developed over the decades.
According to Bentley, the overall surface of the car has been “visually cleaned,” with fewer gaps in the bodywork to ensure a sleek, cohesive appearance. The designers have compared its stance alternately to a thoroughbred horse and a tiger at rest, and whichever image the beholder is partial to, it can’t be denied that it has an impressively brawny shape.
The front has been largely redone. One of the most monumental changes to the new Continental GT Speed is the inclusion of single front headlamps, which haven’t been seen on a non-coachbuilt model since the late ‘50s. The contemporary headlamps are made up of 120 LED lights, which allows them to transition from high to low beams seamlessly.
The rear of the Continental has also been given an overhaul, with wider taillights and tweaks to the bumper and boot lid, and new 22-inch wheels are available as well.
Interior Improvements Elevate Driving Experience
There are now multiple new Bentley design specifications available to Continental GT Speed commissioners. The Dark Chrome Specification can be applied to the interior accents to impart a more subtle tone. Front seats can also now be optioned with Wellness seating, which includes Postural Adjust and Auto Climate to ensure maximum driver relaxation.
Attentive buyers will also notice new quilt patterns throughout the cabin, further enhancing the new Continental’s character.
Shoppers seeking to buy their very own Continental GT Speed in Miami and elsewhere can also expect dramatic improvements in technology and infotainment, which Bentley boldly claims is “the most advanced in the luxury segment.”
One particularly exciting feature introduced in fourth-gen Continental is the My Bentley App Studio. This platform allows for a more seamless downloading and interfacing with apps through the digital display, and doesn’t even require a smart device to operate. The streamlined software is joined by improvements to wireless connectivity through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
New driver assistance features are expected to become available through over-the-air updates as well, including green light traffic prediction and updated Intelligent Park Assist.
The New Continental GT and GTC Speed: Available Soon in South Florida
In yet another first for Bentley, the GT and convertible version—the Bentley Continental GTC Speed—will be releasing simultaneously. Production of these luxury grand tourers is set to begin any day now, and deliveries to customers in Aventura, Florida and beyond are slated for the third quarter of 2024.
Are you looking to become a part of history? Contact Bentley Miami on our website, or give us a call at (786) 577-5225 to reserve your very own Bentley Continental GT Speed near Coral Gables. As a bonus, we’ll also value your trade-in headache-free.
