Continental GT Speed

The Maker

Background & Provenance

Bentley's identity as a grand tourer manufacturer has been consistent since the 1950s, when the Continental R established the archetype: a fast, luxurious two-door car capable of crossing Europe in a single day. The current Continental GT is the third generation of the post-VW car, introduced in 2018 on an entirely new MSB platform shared with the Porsche Panamera at its core but substantially reworked for Bentley's purposes. The third generation made significant improvements in ride quality — the three-chamber air suspension is a genuine advance — and in the quality of the interior surfaces. The Speed is distinguished from the standard Continental GT by its rear-wheel drive bias (compared to the V8's and standard W12's all-wheel drive), which gives it a handling character that drivers who care about the distinction will find significant.

Powertrain

The Engine

The W12 engine is a Volkswagen Group unit that has been in production, continuously refined, since the early 2000s. At 6.0 litres with twin turbochargers, it produces 659bhp and 900Nm of torque in Speed specification — numbers that represent the highest state of tune the engine has reached. The eight-speed dual-clutch transmission shifts in 200 milliseconds; in Sport mode, the shifts are perceptible and satisfying. The Speed's rear-wheel drive bias — achieved through a torque vectoring rear differential — allows the car to be driven with a level of driver involvement that pure AWD systems discourage. The exhaust system in Sport mode is acoustically justified by the W12; it is one of the best engine sounds currently in production.

Interior

The Experience

The Continental GT Speed interior is Bentley's at its most cohesive. The diamond-quilted leather, the rotating dashboard veneer panel, the organ-stop ventilation controls — these are features that have been present in iterations of the Continental for two decades and have not dated because they are materials-led rather than trend-led. The rear seats are usable for short journeys by adults of average height. The boot is large for a grand tourer. The convertible version — the Continental GTC Speed — is the definitive specification, in the judgement of this publication: the W12 at 208mph with the roof down is an experience that belongs in a different category from ordinary automotive pleasure.

Acquisition

How to Obtain It

The Continental GT Speed is available through Bentley's authorised dealer network without significant waiting periods for standard specifications. Mulliner — Bentley's bespoke division — can accommodate specifications of considerable complexity, including colour combinations, veneer types, and personalisation programmes that extend the lead time to four to six months. Pre-owned examples of the third-generation Speed (2018–present) are widely available through specialist dealers and auction; values have stabilised following the initial depreciation from new. The W12 engine requires specialist servicing; factor the cost of a Bentley-authorised service centre into the total ownership calculation.

• 1.The GTC Speed (convertible) is the definitive specification — the roof-down W12 experience justifies the premium over the coupé.
• 2.Mulliner specification adds 3–4 months but is strongly recommended — the standard colour palette is restrained and the Mulliner options are not.
• 3.Third-generation examples (2018+) are the correct choice for a buyer concerned with technology and ride quality — the previous generation's air suspension is notably inferior.

Specifications