Wednesday 20th June 2012

New Bentley Continental GT Speed

Speed version of facelifted Conti GT goes public on same day as new Aston Vanquish. Coincidence?

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On the same day as Aston Martin gives us the new Vanquish, Bentley has chosen to reveal full details of its Continental GT Speed. Make of the timing what you will, but it certainly implies an exciting future for British supercars.

Set to be unveiled at next week's Goodwood Festival of Speed, the GT Speed follows the recipe established by the original car; more power, more luxury and more cost.

With the W12 model as its base, the GT Speed produces 625hp and 590lb ft, up from 575hp and 516lb ft for the standard car. According to Bentley, this allows the Speed to complete 0-60mph in four seconds and reach a top speed of 205mph. The eight-speed auto and four-wheel drive remain to transmit this power to the tarmac.

The Speed sits lower than the standard Continental on unique 21-inch alloy wheels. Uprated suspension and steering also feature, although Bentley has not released specific details of the changes.

Exterior modifications that differentiate the Speed include a 'dark-tinted' front grille and air intakes and a 'rifled' finish to the tailpipes.

Inside, the Mulliner Driving Specification is standard. This package made its debut on the Mulsanne earlier this year and features diamond-quilted leather, knurled ventilation controls, drilled alloy pedals and Mulliner sill plates.

The Speed is an important car for Bentley, particularly in the emerging luxury markets. Bentley sales in China were up 84.9 per cent in the first quarter of 2012 over 2011 and 82.6 per cent in the Middle East. The specification of the Speed would appear designed to appeal to these customers.

Following its Goodwood debut, deliveries of the Continental GT Speed will start in the autumn. Exact prices are yet to be announced, but given that the regular W12 will set you back £136,710, expect to pay more than £150,000 to secure a Speed.

Or you could peruse the PH classifieds for a much cheaper used Continental GTs...

[bakker110]

Don't get me wrong I like these but it looks exactly the same as the old one! It's not going to take much away from the all new vanquish in terms of publicity.

Probably still attract the buyers though. Mr Rooney???

[thewheelman]

Having never been a fan of the original GT, in my opinion the styling on this is even worse than the original.

[craigb84]

And there's someone in the AM thread saying Aston were running out of ideas??

[B10]

"drilled alloy pedals". Are these from Halfords?

[ChrisRich12]

Modeling is not so good.

[Gruber]

I'd love a go in one!

It's a shame they've developed a footballers' wives image, because (ignoring image) I really like the design and suspect they're a fabulously well built bit of automotive brilliance.

[Kawasicki]

I like these, if this is a step forward from the old one it will be a superb fast GT. Can't wait to read the reviews.

[Wills2]

I really like the front of this car, not bothered about the "footballer" image, does Rooney even have one?


625hp I'm in! (If I had the cash)

[dasherdiablo1]

Money for old rope?

Who in their right mind will buy one of these when they can have an old one for £30k then throw a private plate on it?

Disappointing to say the least.

Edited by dasherdiablo1 on Wednesday 20th June 12:29

[0a]

Gruber said:

It's a shame they've developed a footballers' wives image, because (ignoring image) I really like the design and suspect they're a fabulously well built bit of automotive brilliance.

I couldn't agree more, I think both the mk1 and mk2 are amongst the best looking cars around. I love the rear wheel arch kink:

[LuS1fer]

Rolls should release an Am-phantom-ine to compete....

Joke explanation for the unreasonably innocent, amphetamine is known as "speed" and yes, it wasn't worth it....

[X5TUU]

I am currently haggling over price on a used GT (2005/55) at the minute as a reward for a new job, and over the moon that the shape has almost not changed ... esp with my dateless reg poised lol!

love the blue though!

yeah it does have a bad rep for being a footballers motor, but I dont think thats necessarily a bad thing, especially to those of us who cannot afford a new one, but want a used car with low miles and full Bentley history! Bargain imo!

[Kawasicki]

X5TUU said:

I am currently haggling over price on a used GT (2005/55) at the minute as a reward for a new job, and over the moon that the shape has almost not changed ... esp with my dateless reg poised lol!

love the blue though!

yeah it does have a bad rep for being a footballers motor, but I dont think thats necessarily a bad thing, especially to those of us who cannot afford a new one, but want a used car with low miles and full Bentley history! Bargain imo!

buy and enjoy...good on you!

[MrTappets]

Love it, and I think the subtle changes over the mk1 have added up to a big improvement... but I'd still have the V8.

[Greg 172]

Looks great, apart from the chrome down the sides - not quite sure I get what's going on there. Presumably when buying a Bentley pretty much anything can be a delete/body-colour option if you really want though?

[tommy vercetti]

Lovely colour.

[nav p]

i really do like these...

[TNH]

That design has never done it for me. I'm not a professional footballer though

[V8 FOU]

dasherdiablo1 said:

Money for old rope?

Who in their right mind will buy one of these when they can have an old one for £30k then throw a private plate on it?

Disappointing to say the least.

Edited by dasherdiablo1 on Wednesday 20th June 12:29

Yup. £150K now and £40K in 3 years......
Have to be a footballers wife to spunk £100K in 3 years?

[petergrimsdale]

When comparing the Speed with the Vanquish its important to remember that one is derived from a front-drive limo architecture ( VW Phaeton) and the other designed from the ground up to be a world beating sports car.
The Conti with its chunky silhouette and huge front overhang has done a brilliant job of fooling buyers that its some kind of race-bred vehicle but don't expect to see a track version.