The 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed may not pack a W12, but its new plug-in hybrid V8 pumps out more power and torque while offering zero-emissions driving.
Production of the new-generation model will begin in the third quarter of 2024.
The fourth-generation Continental GT coupe and GTC convertible have debuted in hot Speed guise, packing a 4.0-litre V8 with a flat-plane crank and twin single-scroll turbochargers.
This is mated to a 140kW/450Nm electric motor within the transmission, a 25.9kWh battery mounted behind the rear axle, an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and an all-wheel drive system.
Total system outputs are 575kW of power and 1000Nm of torque – up 90kW and 100Nm on the previous Speed’s W12.
It’s the brand’s most powerful production vehicle, and Bentley promises a “significant amount of development” has been invested in the exhaust note “emphasising the cross-plane quality, and without the use of artificial, electronic enhancement”.
The claimed 0-100km/h time is 3.2 seconds, with a top speed of 335km/h. The GTC convertible is slightly slower, with a 0-100km/h time of 3.4 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 285km/h.
You can drive on pure electric power at speeds of up to 140km/h, with throttle applications of up to 75kW.
There’s a claimed 81km of WLTP electric range, and CO2 emissions of 29g/km – Bentley claims the latter is around one tenth of a conventional petrol powertrain.
The new Speed features a 400V electrical system, and can be charged at up to 11kW on AC power.
Bentley claims 68 per cent of the fourth-generation Continental GT’s components are new compared to the third-generation model.
It rides on new two-chamber air springs paired with dual-valve dampers, with 48V active anti-roll control, an electronic limited-slip differential, all-wheel steering, and torque vectoring, both front to rear and across the axles.
The stability control has also been retuned.
10-piston front and four-piston rear brake calipers are standard, but you can choose between ventilated iron brakes with 420mm front and 380mm rear discs or carbon-silicon-carbide brakes, with 440mm front and 410mm rear discs.
Weight distribution is 49:51 front/rear.
The exterior receives a “visually cleaned” look inspired by the coachbuilt Bacalar and Batur, with “fewer breaks in the surfaces giving more muscularity and a more refined shape”.
There’s a single headlight assembly on each side of the front end, with Bentley claiming this is its first mainstream model with single headlights since the S2 of 1959. The headlights feature matrix LED technology.
The hero colour is Tourmaline Green, which Bentley says is a “vivid and modern interpretation of the iconic Bentley green”.
The GTC’s fabric roof is offered in a range of seven colours, including tweed, and is deployable in 19 seconds at speeds of up to 48km/h.
New 22-inch wheels are offered in dark tint paint with polished accents, or finished in silver or gloss black.
Inside, there’s a new “precision quilt pattern” on the seats and the doors.
The 20-way power-adjustable front seats have a new ‘Wellness’ setting with postural adjust and auto climate functions.
A new Dark Chrome Specification is available, giving a more “understated” look to the cabin by applying a darker finish to the door handles, switches, speaker grilles and other components.
The Continental continues to feature the Bentley Rotating Display, comprising three sides: a 12.3-inch display; three analogue dials; and an unbroken side of handcrafted veneer. These three sides are selectable with the touch of a button.
Bentley offers three different sound systems: a 10-speaker 650W system is standard, with 1500W 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen and 220W 18-speaker Naim systems optional.
The infotainment system features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while there’s a range of connected car services.
You can remotely monitor your vehicle’s charging progress, adjust the climate control, and een park or summon your vehicle using your smartphone.
The Continental also gets the new My Bentley App Studio, which allows owners to download a variety of third-party music, video, gaming, parking and charging apps.
