Bentley Continental GT Speed
BENTLEY UNVEILS THE FOURTH-GENERATION CONTINENTAL GT SPEED: A NEW ERA OF POWER AND LUXURY
BY EGW LUXURY MAGAZINE Fall 2024
Bentley Motors continues its legacy of crafting the finest luxury automobiles with the unveiling of the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed. For over two decades, the Continental GT family has been the epitome of the ultimate blend between supercar performance, luxury, and everyday usability. The latest iteration of this iconic model not only upholds this tradition but takes it to an entirely new level.
A Masterpiece Redefined
Inspired by Bentley's cutting-edge coachbuilt models like the Bacalar and Batur, the new Continental GT Speed has undergone a comprehensive exterior and interior redesign. It follows the brand’s latest design DNA, characterized by sleek, modern detailing and a more athletic stance. The result is a car that is not just visually striking but also delivers on Bentley's promise of performance and refinement.
At the heart of this luxury coupe lies an all-new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain that produces an astonishing 782 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque. This power is delivered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine, paired with a 190 PS electric motor, ensuring that the GT Speed is as environmentally conscious as it is powerful. The combination allows the car to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, while offering an electric-only range of 50 miles (81 km), making it perfect for both short city commutes and long journeys alike. The total range on a full tank and battery charge extends to an impressive 534 miles (859 km), making it the ultimate everyday supercar.
Revolutionary Chassis and Driving Experience
Bentley engineers have spared no effort in ensuring that the performance of the new Continental GT Speed is complemented by an equally advanced chassis system. Featuring all-new two-chamber air springs and dual-valve dampers, the car provides unrivaled ride comfort while maintaining the dynamic control expected from a supercar. Bentley’s Dynamic Ride (48V active anti-roll control), along with electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) and torque vectoring, offers superb handling and stability, whether on winding mountain roads or cruising the highway.
For the first time in the car’s history, a 49:51 rear-biased weight distribution enhances its agility and performance, ensuring a balanced and poised driving experience. The new chassis system not only improves handling but also guarantees that the car maintains its reputation for the smoothest ride in its class.
Luxury Meets Innovation: The Interior
Step inside the new Continental GT Speed, and you're greeted by an interior that sets a new benchmark for Bentley’s already world-class craftsmanship. Featuring three-dimensional leather textures, modern quilting patterns, and dark chrome finishes, the cabin is a masterpiece of design and attention to detail. New air ionization technology, paired with wellness seat technology, ensures that the cabin offers unparalleled comfort and air quality, making even the longest drives a pleasure.
Bentley’s reputation for using only the finest materials continues in the new GT Speed, with every surface reflecting the brand’s commitment to luxury. Whether it's the supple leather, the meticulously crafted wood veneers, or the precision-engineered metal components, every detail has been carefully considered.
Advanced Technology for a Seamless Journey
In terms of technological innovation, the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed features a completely new 400-volt electrical architecture, allowing it to offer the most advanced suite of powertrain technology available in a luxury automobile today. This new system delivers class-leading emissions, with just 29 g/km of CO2 and an electric range of 50 miles (81 km) on the WLTP drive cycle.
Bentley’s suite of driver assistance systems and connected car services ensures that every journey is a seamless experience. From advanced infotainment to cutting-edge safety features, the GT Speed is equipped with everything a modern driver could need. The car is as intelligent as it is beautiful, integrating the latest in digital connectivity to keep drivers in touch with the world, even when they’re miles away from home.
A New Chapter in Bentley's Legacy
The fourth-generation Continental GT Speed marks a significant milestone in Bentley’s storied history. Production of this new model has begun at Bentley’s Dream Factory in Crewe, in time for the 136th birthday of the company’s founder, Walter Owen Bentley. The first production car is finished in Tourmaline Green, a modern interpretation of the iconic Bentley Green, and features a Gravity Grey and Mandarin interior, mirroring the color scheme of the vehicle used in the brand's ‘Underwater Speed Record’ launch film.
This car, the first of its kind, will be used as part of the UK Press Fleet before eventually joining Bentley’s Heritage Collection. This collection now consists of 45 cars, spanning the brand’s 105-year history—from the oldest Bentley in the world, the 1919 3-Litre EXP2, to this latest addition, representing every decade of Bentley’s journey. Each of these vehicles reflects Bentley’s enduring commitment to innovation, craftsmanship, and performance.
The new Continental GT Speed is no exception, offering an unrivaled combination of handcrafted luxury, everyday usability, and world-class performance. Whether it’s the attention to detail in the cabin, the innovative new chassis system, or the breathtaking performance of the hybrid powertrain, every aspect of this car has been designed to exceed expectations.
Looking to the Future
With the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed, Bentley is not just celebrating its heritage; it’s looking to the future. As the automotive industry moves towards greater sustainability, Bentley is leading the way with its Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, which delivers incredible performance while reducing emissions and offering the practicality of electric-only driving.
Bentley’s commitment to creating the world’s finest luxury cars has never wavered, and the new Continental GT Speed is proof that the brand’s best days are still ahead. As the latest addition to the Continental GT family, it represents the pinnacle of what Bentley stands for: power, luxury, and innovation, all brought together in a car that can be driven every day.
As the production of customer cars begins, each vehicle will be specified in one of the 46 billion configurations possible through Bentley’s standard options list, ensuring that no two cars are ever the same. This personalization, combined with the cutting-edge technology and performance of the GT Speed, makes it a car that is not only a joy to drive but a statement of individuality and taste.
For those lucky enough to own one, the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed is not just a car—it’s an experience, a masterpiece of design, performance, and luxury that will stand the test of time. Bentley has once again redefined what it means to create a grand tourer, and the world is taking notice.
The fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT Speed encapsulates everything the brand has stood for over the past 105 years: uncompromising performance, unmatched luxury, and groundbreaking innovation. With its Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, revolutionary chassis system, and meticulously crafted interior, this car is the ultimate grand tourer for the modern era.
As Bentley moves into the future, the Continental GT Speed stands as a beacon of what’s to come—proof that even as the automotive world changes, true luxury, craftsmanship, and performance are timeless.
