The W-12 is dead—long live the V-8 hybrid. Bentley on Tuesday introduced the updated Continental GT and GTC Speed, featuring a new V-8 hybrid engine that produces 779 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. It’s the most powerful Bentley yet, and like its predecessor, the Continental GT Speed is capable of up to 208 mph.
The Bentley’s hybrid system is similar to other high-end Volkswagen Group plug-ins, such as the Porsche Panamera, Cayenne Turbo and Lamborghini Urus SE. There’s a 25.9-kilowatt-hour battery pack mounted in the rear that powers an electric motor that’s paired with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine and an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission.
The motor itself is capable of producing 187.4 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, and is used primarily to provide “torque fill” at low engine speeds and to smooth out gear changes. Of course, it can also drive the car independently of the engine at up to 87 mph, and its range is rated at 50 miles on the more forgiving European WLTP test cycle.
The V-8 engine gets the same updates on the Continental GT as it does elsewhere. There’s a new single-scroll turbocharger and a high-pressure fuel injection system. The engine itself produces 592 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. (The reason the Continental GT Speed’s system torque output is lower than the sum of the V-8 and motor torques is because each reaches its torque peak at a different point.)
Bentley has also given the Continental GT a facelift, and while it looks familiar, the front gets new single headlights inspired by domestic models like the Bacalar and Batur. The twin headlight motif has been a hallmark of the Conti GT since the model was introduced in 2003. In fact, this is the first production Bentley with single headlights since the S2 in 1959, the brand says. At the rear, there are new taillights with more detail. Inside, this is clearly a familiar Continental GT, which means extravagant luxury.
Further hardware enhancements include new twin-valve dampers that allow for individual adjustment of compression and rebound, and dual-chamber air springs. Bentley also offers a rearward-biased weight distribution for the first time in the Continental GT’s history, with the rear battery pack contributing to a 49:51 front-to-rear split. The Speed also comes standard with rear-wheel steering and active anti-roll bars. The total is a more comfortable and better-handling car, according to the carmaker.
And if you want a convertible, there's the Continental GTC Speed, although its top speed is limited to only 177 mph. However, it only loses a tenth of a second in its 0-60 mph time, 3.2 seconds compared to 3.1 seconds for the coupe.
Bentley says production and deliveries of the GT and GTC Speed will begin at its Crewe plant in the third quarter of this year. While the W-12 will be missed, there’s no doubt the new hybrid system will deliver the freight-train-like performance that has been the Speed’s hallmark.
