Bentley Continental GT Speed: UK first drive

[EXTRACT]#EANF# What‘s it? The new, second-generation Bentley Continental GT Speed is that the fastest road car Bentley has produced to date. How relevant is? To we, not very. But to those customers who keep demanding even more of everything, the undeniable fact that the Speed can perform 205mph – thereby topping even the exotic Supersports version from the previous-generation coupé (by 1mph ) – little question earns them serious bragging rights. Driven by latest W12-engined Continental GT and driven here for the very first time on British roads, the £151, 100 Speed costs roughly £15, 000 greater than the regular model, and for the you are doing indeed acquire significant upgrades : more power and torque, more performance, a better standard specification and greater presence on an open road. The only real items that haven’t grown, happily, will be the kerb weight and fuel consumption and CO2 figures, all which remain identical towards the standard GT’s. Compared using the standard W12 model, the Speed’s twin-turbo 6. 0-litre engine gets an additional 49bhp and 74lb ft of torque. The ride height upon the air-sprung suspension is lowered by 10mm, the alloy wheels really certainly can be a unique 21-inch design, the desirable Mulliner Driving Specification is standard (adding stuff like quilted leather upon the fabulously comfortable seats ) there are subtle external tweaks, including a dark chrome finish towards the mesh upon the radiator grille and front air intakes. What‘s it like? With 616bhp at 6000rpm and 590lb ft of torque from just 1700rpm, the new Bentley Continental GT Speed is now virtually on the par using the much more costly Mk1 Supersports when it comes to outputs and performance. As well as what epic performance It‘s. Aided using a responsive, smooth-shifting ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, the 2. 3-tonne Speed hurtles to 60mph from rest inside a neck-snapping four seconds flat (and also to 62mph in 4. 2sec ) and continues to provide relentless, titanic thrust wherever, whenever. And it also does so inside the most refined and undramatic way possible, thanks to some sophisticated all-wheel drive system that refuses to permit any slip or unruly behaviour, even inside the treacherously wet conditions encountered over much from the Christmas period. The W12 still does not sound everything special, though, even using the Speed's louder exhaust. With the large, knurled gear selector in 'D' the engine is hushed and remote – just what you need for grand touring – however the booming and rumbling that emerges coming from the rifled tailpipes in Sport mode is usually not everything pleasant or welcome. Frankly, the V8 inside the entry-level Continental sounds far better. Having a 10mm lower ride height compared to the standard W12 and wearing unique 21-inch alloy wheels, the Speed rides and handles as impeccably as any Continental, but inevitably its dynamic character is defined by its mass ; do not for just one moment think 'Speed' means it is more sporting. Using the W12 early on, it felt a tad nose-heavy and understeer-prone in corners inside the slippery conditions in our test. Like a grand tourer, though, the Speed is crushingly effective, most especially when you factor inside the peerless sense of occasion provided by its luxurious four-seat cabin. Should I buy one? Magnificently fast though the Bentley Continental GT Speed is, for our particular money it is not the very best Continental ; that remains the £27k cheaper V8. Whilst you can't blame the corporate for trying to provide its customers whatever they want, we'd be a lot more curious about seeing Bentley perform a Speed or Supersports version from the V8, uprated to, say, 580bhp. Now that may be something special. Bentley Continental GT SpeedPrice £151, 100 ; 0-60mph 4. 0sec ; Top speed 205mph ; Economy 19. 5mpg (combined ) ; CO2 338g / km ; Kerb weight 2320kg ; Engine W12, 5998cc, twin-turbo, petrol ; Power 616bhp at 6000rpm ; Torque 590lb ft at 1700rpm ; Gearbox 8-spd automatic EXTRACT#EANF# Bentley Continental GT Speed : UK first drive