Bentley GT Speed 2022.

Bentley GT Speed 2022.

Bentley GT Speed 2022.

The Bentley Continental GT Speed: not the fastest, but the most nimble in history.

Bentley will be phasing out internal combustion engines completely by 2030 (even in plug-in hybrids) but there’s still time to enjoy traditional car values: the Continental GT coupe has a top-of-the-range Speed with a W12 petrol engine boosted to 659bhp and is claimed to be the fastest road-going Bentley ever, though in fact it’s not.

The standard Bentley Continental GT coupe uses Volkswagen’s W12 6.0-litre turbo to put out 635bhp and 900Nm, the Speed version is boosted to 659bhp with the same torque, probably helped by a dual-clutch eight-speed DCT, but the Speed version changes gear twice as quickly.

Bentley GT Speed 2022.

Acceleration time to 100 km/h decreased from 3.7 to 3.6 seconds, the top speed rose from 333 to 335 km/h.

In general, the increase in dynamics is purely symbolic, and for the title of the fastest road Bentley of all times and peoples new Continental GT Speed does not stretch, because the coupe last generation version of Supersports had a capacity of 710 hp and could get the first «hundredth» for 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 336 km / h.

Bentley GT Speed 2022.

But when it comes to handling and lap times of any long speed track like the Nürburgring, the new Continental GT Speed will be faster than the old Supersports, because the car of the current generation has a more advanced all-wheel-drive chassis from the Porsche Panamera, which in the Speed version became fully steerable: the rear wheels depending on the speed of turning either in the same direction as the front, or in the opposite.

In addition, the Continental GT Speed is slightly lighter than the Supersports — 2,273 kg versus 2,280 kg.

Bentley’s all-wheel-drive chassis first appeared on its Flying Spur coplatform sedan, which debuted in 2019, but the Continental GT Speed has more gambling settings and a more frivolous stabilization system combined with an electronically controlled rear differential.

Bentley GT Speed 2022.

Active anti-roll bars are also available on the regular Continental GT, but carbon-ceramic brakes are only optional on the Speed (with 10-piston calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear).

Exterior features of the Speed version include several nameplates, 22-inch wheels with a unique design and puffy sills.

The interior also has the memorable Speed inscription plus contrasting leather upholstery, which, however, can be changed to whatever you want depending on the customer’s wishes.

Bentley GT Speed 2022.

Autocar magazine says the Continental GT Speed cannot be ordered in the UK and the model will go on sale in foreign markets this summer (price has not yet been announced).

According to magazine Top Gear, citing the General Manager of Bentley Adrian Hallmark, the British company does not plan to produce plug-in hybrid models based on W12, as they would get too heavy, but other niche novelties with this engine will be.

From 2026, all Bentley models will be plug-in hybrid, that is, with plug-in hybrid or all-electric powertrain. So, the W12 motor has no more than five years to live.

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