BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED – SPEED IS THE RIGHT WORD

Stunning shape of the big Bentley Continental GT Speed is further advanced by the Mulliner body enhancements. (Credit: Warwick Kent)

Stunning shape of the big Bentley Continental GT Speed is further advanced by the Mulliner body enhancements. (Credit: Warwick Kent)

Only a company like Bentley could get away with calling a car ‘Speed’ without arousing the wrath of the world’s wowsers. Bentley has a long history of models with Speed in their titles and the iconic British marque has no intention of dropping it now.

During a day I spent in the Bentley factory in Crewe in the UK a few years back I learned the reason for the ultra-fast model that resulted in a revival of Speed as part of the title. It seems that when the Continental GT was launched in 2003 everyone in the company was disappointed that it topped out at 197 miles per hour, agonisingly just short of 200 mph.

The embarrassing number remained until the hotrod Bentley Continental GT Speed was introduced in 2007 with the power to enable it to run out to 205 mph. These numbers translate to 315 and 330 km/h in Australian terms.

Bentley_Continental_GT_Speed_rear
Bentley has always been a car for the rugged individualist, so it’s perhaps no surprise that it holds the world speed record on ice (!) of 322 km/h.

The styling of the Bentley coupe is simply stunning and had people staring at it from all directions. Though the body received a major restyle in 2011 the original shape was so well received that it has remained virtually untouched, with a slight sharpening of the corners being the easiest distinguishing features.

However, the shape of the big coupe was only the second talking point of this Bentley – the sound the twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 engine was number one by all who discussed the British machine.

Bentley_Continental_GT_Speed_interior
The uneven idle sounds more like that of an over-tuned racing V8 engine and the burble it produces is music to the ears even when wandering along gently in traffic. The way it blipped its throttle when changing down in its new-design eight-speed automatic transmission indicated the car was serious about taking advantage of the extra torque on offer.

The aural experts in Britain obviously understand their buyers extremely well and there are wealthy individuals out there who will pass up on Ferraris, Lamborghinis and even Maseratis just for the sound the Bentley produces.

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed_02 - CopyTorque of 800 Nm at just 2000 rpm and 625 horsepower at 6000 revs makes for exciting motoring. There’s a momentary lag when you floor the pedal on the right as the turbos get the message you want action, followed by a big push in the back and a purposeful roar from the engine. Drive is taken to all four wheels so there’s no sign of wheelspin and the big coupe simply gets up and rushes at the horizon.

Inside, the Bentley Continental GT Speed is pure luxury, with high-quality pleated leather trim providing a nice traditional touch. As do the chromed controls for the dash vents, the racing style instruments and the neat little clock taking pride of place in centre of things.

Bentley Continental GT Speed at Nardo test trackOn the modern high-performance front there’s a solid dash of carbon-fibre. This ultra-lightweight material also features on the door mirrors and on the lower body aero add-ons.

The front seats are big and comfortable, yet support well when high cornering forces are generated. The rear seats are capable of carrying another pair of adults, but it’s best that they aren’t over large and that those travelling in the front are willing to give up some of their legroom.

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed_08 - CopyLoved this big extroverted coupe, it’s just a pity my budget is over half a million short of the $561,590 of the Bentley Continental GT Speed that has just been returned after a most pleasant weekend of road and restaurant testing.

2013 BENTLEY CONTINENTAL SPEED

MODEL RANGE
Bentley Continental GT Speed 6.0-litre twin-turbo petrol two-door coupe: $561,690 (automatic)

SPECIFICATIONS (Bentley Continental GT Speed 6.0-litre twin-turbo petrol two-door coupe)

ENGINE:
Capacity: 5.998 litres
Configuration: W12
Head Design: Four overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder
Compression Ratio: 9.0:1
Bore/Stroke: 84.0 mm x 90.2 mm
Maximum Power: 460 kW @ 6000 rpm
Maximum Torque: 800 Nm @ 2000 rpm

DRIVELINE:
Driven Wheels: All-wheel
Manual Transmission: Not offered
Automatic Transmission: Eight-speed
Final Drive Ratio: 2.85

DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT AND CAPACITIES:
Length: 4806 mm
Wheelbase: 2746 mm
Width: 1944 mm
Height: 1404 mm
Turning Circle: 11.3 metres
Kerb Mass: 2320 kg
Fuel Tank Capacity: 90 litres
Towing Ability: Not supplied
Boot Capacity: 358 litres

SUSPENSION AND BRAKES:
Front Suspension: Four-link double wishbones, anti-roll bar
Rear Suspension: Trapezoidal multi-link, anti-roll bar
Front Brakes: Ventilated disc
Rear Brakes: Ventilated disc

FUEL CONSUMPTION:
Type: Petrol 98RON
Combined Cycle (ADR 81/02): 14.5 L/100km

GREEN VEHICLE GUIDE RATINGS:
Greenhouse Rating: 3/10
Air Pollution Rating: 5.5/0

About Ewan Kennedy

Ewan Kennedy, a long-time car enthusiast, was Technical Research Librarian with the NRMA from 1970 until 1985. He worked part-time as a freelance motoring journalist from 1977 until 1985, when he took a full-time position as Technical Editor with Modern Motor magazine. Late in 1987 he left to set up a full-time business as a freelance motoring journalist. Ewan is an associate member of the Society of Automotive Engineers - International. An economy driving expert, he set the Guinness World Record for the greatest distance travelled in a standard road vehicle on a single fuel fill. He lists his hobbies as stage acting, travelling, boating and reading.
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