Take a car that is the brand ambassador for a luxury carmaker and then add a speed label to its name. You get the Continental GT Speed. Continental GTs are historic for the Bentley label as they were the first models produced under the new VW ownership. The all-wheel drive Bentley Continental GT was a change for the luxury coupe market and brought more buyers into the Bentley fold. The GT is fast, but there have been calls for a sportier version, which were met by the Mulliner Driving Specification in 2005, and now the Continental GTC Speed. The GTC Speed is inspired by the 1923 Speed models that were launched in response to the success of the Bentley 3-litre. The Bentley 3-litre Speed Models were high-performance racing models that established Bentleys as superior engineered cars.
At the core of the Bentley Continental GT Speed is the Bentley 6-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine. This is the most compact 12-cylinder engine currently. Its 48-valve head uses four camshafts and has variable valve timing. Power is transferred through a ZF six-speed automatic transmission. The W12 is common in all Continentals, but in the Speed, it is a higher output and more efficient variant, with lighter con rods, new pistons, and better engine response designed to tolerate higher cylinder pressures. The engine management system is also recalibrated for better performance. The Speed’s specifications are more potent than the GT, with 600 hp at 6000 rpm. The engine torque is 553 lb-ft at 1750 rpm. These are more than 15% better than the GT and other Continental variants. The GT Speed is the first factory-produced Bentley to be able to cross 200 mph. It is engineered to top at 202 mph.
The Bentley Continental GT Speed is based loosely on the Mulliner Driving Specification and offers the standard Bentley options of wood veneers, diamond-quilted leather hide seats, and embroidered Bentley emblems. The steering is a three-spoke sports steering, the gear shift is a glossy sports alloy, and the foot pedals are drilled alloys, with Bentley’s B on the brake. The Speed also offers customization in the central panel in gleaming aluminium or dark tint, which is compatible with a few wood veneers. The Speed’s dashboard is crowded with dials, knobs, and buttons. It is a busy dashboard, and not many will be able to tell that the options are a little outdated. The central panel is dominated by an LCD, which can control the radio, navigation, and HVAC. The Speed is as large as other Continentals, and the rear seating is as cramped as expected, with people above 5’10 having some problems getting comfortable. The front seats are deep, comfortable, and powered.
The exterior of the Bentley Continental Speed has a wide and more prominent air intake. The signature radiator grille is gentler, more delicate, and dark-tinted in the Speed. The headlamps have chromed inlets, which complement the new front look. The front of the car is distinctive, strong, and elegant. It may be a sports car, but it’s classy—no brashness here. The car has a classic Bentley sculpted hood, which highlights the front grill. The rear is curvy, with the rear wheel arches slightly highlighted and retaining their bulge to the long-pointed tail, similar to the Continental GT. The exhaust pipes are broader and indicate the Speed’s sportscar ambitions. The car rests on multi-spoke 20-inch sports alloy wheels and the engine tune is loud.
As mentioned earlier, the GT Speed’s W12 engine offers 15 percent more torque and nine percent more power than the standard Continental GT. The engine’s performance is enhanced by using lightweight components that generate less friction and perform better. A new engine system manages all these components. All of these changes add up to an exceptional combination. The Speed has a top speed of 202 mph and touches 0 to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds. More importantly, the car can maneuver on the road much better than the Continental GTs and is effortless in taking turns and bends despite its 5,180 lb. bulk. The six-speed automatic gearbox can offer excellent road and speed handling, and the all-wheel drive ensures superior road grip and traction control. The Continental GT Speed has a new ‘Dynamic Mode’ that allows for wheel slippage, offers torque and traction control, and enables the racing driver to get a more hands-on experience. The car shares brakes with the Continental GT, which are the biggest in use, with a 405mm diameter. These can bring this speeding hulk of a car from 70 mph to 0 in under 200 feet. For more about the driving experience, read here.
At its launch, the GT Speed was worth $199,990 and was an immensely popular car due to its branding, the Bentley lineage, and its return to the speeding roots that made Bentley famous in its 1920s prime. The car is still famous after over fifteen years of production and is available at depreciated prices for those lucky enough to find one. Our Exotic Car Trader platform often has Bentley Continental GT Speed for sale. If you can’t find one that matches your taste, check back regularly, as we update our Bentley listings frequently.
There are very few things that compare the elegance of a stately Bentley; there’s an old-time class to even the most recent models. The Continental GT Speed is a double whammy because it merges this elegant classiness with Bentley’s speed performance and delivers on the driving experience. With a lower market value due to depreciation, the Continental GT Speed is an excellent option for speed lovers looking for top-notch performance combined with class at a relatively lower price point.
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