Bentley Continental GTC Speed first drive review

[EXTRACT]#EANF# What‘s it? Bentley makes much of the undeniable fact that the Bentley Continental GTC Speed is that the fastest open four-seater inside the world. It’s also the foremost powerful Bentley currently offered, because of the McLaren F1-teasing 616bhp boasted by its twin-turbocharged 6. 0-litre engine.  What it’s less keen to publicise is, thanks to some kerb weight just five kilos in need of 2. 5 tonnes, its power-to-weight ratio is inferior to that of the Porsche Cayman R. Consequently the GTC is all the things you don’t want inside an expensive, fast and sporting car. And that is to mention It‘s both open and heavy. What‘s it like? The GTC Speed is really a GTC mechanically tweaked only enough to enable Bentley in order to make weapons-grade claims about its performance. Despite the ability and speed records broken by its predecessor, it still moves the overall game on using a fractional amount : 0. 4sec from the 0-62mph time, a scant 2mph added to the highest speed and all courtesy of the rise in engine power of a bit more than two per cent. There’s more for this GTC than that. There will be stuff you need to understand about the way in which Bentley conducts its business before you understand a car such as this. When it says it’ll do 202mph it touchingly elects to not mention it’ll also do 203, 204 and lots of mph more.  Less excitingly, but perhaps more relevantly, Bentley has thoroughly gone over the remainder of the car to ensure It‘s as much as handling the ability and performance available. So whenever you look into the small print you discover completely revised and reprogrammed spring rates, fatter anti-roll bars, a 10mm drop in ride height and new software to the Servotronic steering.  So long like the corner is quick enough the GTC angles in accurately and eagerly, gripping hard as well as offering some feel through its steering wheel. Ultimately There‘s understeer though it‘s mild and, when compared with the alternative, very welcome.  Like its hard-topped GT Speed coupé brother, it now also enjoys the rewards of a brand new eight-speed gearbox, a worthwhile addition for many kinds of reasons, not the smallest amount of which being it extends the car’s miserable range by some 15 per cent. The Aston DB9 Volante, Ferrari California, Mercedes SL and 911 Turbo Cab are notably more nimble and rewarding to drive, and like the heaviest is well over a split tonne lighter compared to the GTC, it may be strange were it other way. The Speed is clearly a sporting car as, for many its power and speed, It‘s assuredly not really a sports car. Bear that on your mind and also the car's true abilities begin to reveal themselves. First is that the ride quality, which will be a triumph inside a coupé including a wobbly convertible. However the GTC Speed doesn’t wobble, allowing its gait to become as soft as its structure is stiff. The wind management is so great voices need never be raised. The heating actually works, too, therefore you don’t even require a coat once the conditions are cooler. Should I buy one? This really is not really a car die-hard sports car fans will find themselves instantly drawn to. Far heavier compared to the stockiest new Range Rover, it feels the got to pause before springing into action, like an overweight man attempting to emerge from your armchair inside a hurry. You‘ll need hours and miles to discover past its ostentatious appearance and headline-hungry stats and discover the actual car beneath. Only then will you discover that the machine you’d have dismissed like a charlatan Jack of trades just days before seems to become something completely different.  No it’s not as pretty like a DB9, as dynamic like a California nor, I expect, as explosively rapid like a 911 Turbo Cab or SL63 AMG. But as that class rarity : a car that‘s better in practice than theory since it works altogether seasons for many reasons. What appeared initially to become an unnecessarily ostentatious wealth statement seems to become an entirely convincing, consummate all-rounder.  Bentley Continental GTC SpeedPrice £167, 900 ; 0-62mph 4. 1sec ; Top speed 202mph ; Economy 19. 0mpg ; Kerb weight 2495kg ; Engine W12, 5594cc, twin turbocharged, petrol ; Power 616bhp ; Torque 590lb ft ; Gearbox 8-spd automatic EXTRACT#EANF# Bentley Continental GTC Speed first drive review