Bentley Continental GT Speed... at speed
How to test Bentley's fastest ever production car? To the runway!
635hp, 607lb ft but only 653mm long
Anyway, though it's never been regarded as the most characterful engine in the world, the W12 is an interesting old lump. The staggered bores make it very compact (it just looks huge with all the ancillaries attached) so it's now not far from 1hp per mm (635hp from an engine length of 653mm). Power is up 215hp from the first 420hp (naturally aspirated) VW W12 with CO2 down 20 per cent to 338g/km.
The need for...
On the road, pathetically one dimensional and predictable though it sounds, the sensation of insatiable speed is the overriding one. You brake at the end of slip roads such is the velocity accrued almost by accident. Lifting off simply doesn't do much as the momentum of 2.5 tonnes charges on.
Speed will be up there very soon
Overtaking slower traffic is comical. Change down if you must then simply surge past the next target with casual disdain and a muffled bark from behind. The Speed would surely excel in that old road test favourite, the time exposed to danger assessment, as passing vehicles always, always takes less time than predicted. It's quite a feat, and never fails to amaze.
Ready for take-off
But there's only so much that can be gleaned about the performance of a 206mph car on the road. So Bentley did the decent thing, got a long stretch of straight road (the Campbeltown Airport runway) and sent the Speeds down it as fast as they could go.
Still a fine place to attempt 200mph
Audience participation
So yes, the Bentley GT Speed can do speed exceptionally well. But in its quest for outright performance the fleshy, fallible thing in the massage seat can feel a bit left out. Aloof is perhaps a little harsh and some may indeed argue the Speed's unruffled nature is kind of the point but you can't help but crave a little more excitement sometimes. For all Bentley's talk of a lower ride height, more negative camber and stiffer springs the GT Speed remains a car for covering ground and marvelling at its ability rather than falling for its charms. Accelerate and smile, brake and marvel at the ceramic brakes' power (420mm front discs!), turn, accelerate and smile again.
Big Scottish roads played to Speed's strengths
Maybe any criticisms of a slightly unengaging dynamic repertoire are redundant given how comprehensively the GT Speed nails its going really fast brief. In a straight line, around corners, slowing down, the Speed is quick. Very quick. For some that and its flagship status will be enough but from a PH perspective the V8 S is probably the more appealing Conti GT, at least until the GT3-R is around.
BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED (15MY)
Engine: 5,998cc, W12, twin-turbocharged
Transmission: 8-speed ZF automatic, four-wheel drive
Power (hp): 635@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 607@2,000-5,000rpm
0-62mph: 4.2 sec
Top speed: 206mph
Weight: 2,320kg
MPG: 19.5 (NEDC combined)
CO2: 338g/km
Price: £156,700
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All nostalgic now.
I was passenger in one of the standard cars a couple of years ago, on a business trip from Birmingham to Leeds, and yes it was fast, but it was also uncomfortable, had a pants Satnav, (same as the one fitted to a Skoda Superb Mk1), and noisy.
And whilst I am here, why is it that this car is hailed as something magnificent, and a VW Pheaton is not, when they are both made by the same company, I get the feeling that most Bentley purchasers are unaware of their cars lineage.
Those stats alone are incredible! It's amazing what's being achieved, not only with Bentley but across nearly ever manufacturer.
I was passenger in one of the standard cars a couple of years ago, on a business trip from Birmingham to Leeds, and yes it was fast, but it was also uncomfortable, had a pants Satnav, (same as the one fitted to a Skoda Superb Mk1), and noisy.
And whilst I am here, why is it that this car is hailed as something magnificent, and a VW Pheaton is not, when they are both made by the same company, I get the feeling that most Bentley purchasers are unaware of their cars lineage.
As for the Bentley, while lots of reviews demand "soul" from the cars, when you have to live with a car every day or drive it for hundreds of miles, that "soul" can often become very tiring...
The car was driven hard on business trips throughout Europe and covered
about 100,000 miles up to disposal last year. Although the early cars
were nothing like today's product, nonetheless, they were incredibly reliable,
incredibly fast and very safe and stable at very high speed - I am talking
about speeds in excess of 160 mph - not in the UK though ! Say what you like,
when you drive one of these cars to their max - you do not say it is the
Holy Grail - you say Holy s
t !When the original came out at around the same time as the DB9, for me there was no contest. Now though, I'm not sure the DB9 would get a second look.
There were a couple at the Game Fair last weekend, and they had a red V8 S GTC with black wheels. In theory it sounds horrendous, but it was a superb looking car, something like this (although a slightly darker red;
As for the Bentley, while lots of reviews demand "soul" from the cars, when you have to live with a car every day or drive it for hundreds of miles, that "soul" can often become very tiring...
But something like a Vanquish does excitement and the grand tourer thing better for me. Perhaps a DB9 would also but I've not driven one of those!
that's ok, I was just intrigued by the comment about underwhelming exhaust note and thought a vid would help. I'm sure it's still mightilly impressive compared to my little Toyota though.The car was driven hard on business trips throughout Europe and covered
about 100,000 miles up to disposal last year. Although the early cars
were nothing like today's product, nonetheless, they were incredibly reliable,
incredibly fast and very safe and stable at very high speed - I am talking
about speeds in excess of 160 mph - not in the UK though ! Say what you like,
when you drive one of these cars to their max - you do not say it is the
Holy Grail - you say Holy s
t !
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