Driven: Bentley Continental GT 2016 Review
Following a brief test of the Bentley Continental GT Speed at Millbrook Proving Ground, here are some of our thoughts on this ultimate GT car.
What is the Bentley Continental GT Speed Coupe all About?
The Bentley Continental GT Speed has been around for a few years now and is a critically acclaimed great car. The GT itself is a very solid car but the Speed takes the car to the next level using the cars 6.0 litre W12 engine that creates 626 bhp and 820 Nm of torque. This means that this luxury car can get from 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds and will do an incredible top speed of 206 mph. The Speed’s power goes through an 8-speed automatic gearbox to all 4 wheels. This car has supercar performance but also has some of the nicest luxuries available on any car in the market.
Features on this particular test car include the £5,695 Naim for Bentley premium audio system, £10,825 carbon ceramic brakes and £2,150 21 inch directional sports alloy wheels.
How Does it Drive?
The Bentley is a great cruiser that you can sit inside surrounded by luxury. To get in and get moving the process is straightforward: you get in, sit down, the car recognises the key, you hit the start button and that W12 turns over. As soon as you hear the exhaust note, straight away you’re aware this is going to be a special journey. Next put the car into gear and it will move off with a very elegant, smooth feel.
Working my way to the test circuit the car felt beautifully relaxed and showed the exceptional ride quality that I expected. Once at the test track, and giving the car full throttle, the car was impressively powerful, it’s just insane that a car of this size and weight can accelerate in such a relentless way.
To compliment the car even more, once the roads gets twisty the GT Speed, despite being a monster, can really get involved. Taking back to back small and tight corners in the GT, the car handles beautifully and the feedback to the driver is very impressive. Additionally, the GT Speed on test was fitted with a set of carbon fibre brakes that stop the car with extreme force and are a great option for getting the most out of the driving experience.
What is it Like Inside?
Inside the Bentley Continental GT Speed is a whole different league. It has one of the best looking cabins of all time. The first thing that catches your eye when looking into the Bentley is the diamond quilted leather that you can see cut into the seats and the door trims. It gives a real quality and exclusive look to the interior of this premium Grand Touring car.
Sitting inside the car you notice that even the roof lining is covered in luxury perforated leather, and the dash is mostly covered in supple leather except for the wooden fascias, if you have selected that option on the build list, which wasn’t really my taste, but I can see why people choose it.
One of the technology features on the car is keyless entry and start, making the car a pleasure to get in and out of, without messing around with keys…they are so last year! It’s not cutting-edge technology, but it’s definitely a cherry on top of this already well-iced cake.
The Experience
The GT Speed provides the ultimate GT driving experience for many reasons, first the speed of the car is blisteringly quick, it has dashing good looks and makes a beautiful noise from that legendary W12 engine. However the car has a refined side also. In fact the Bentley GT is a dream over long journeys; you feel like you are being swished along.
Verdict
The Bentley Continental GT Speed is the perfect luxury performance package. The base GT provides a high level of luxury. But mix that in with the Speed’s W12 engine and you have an impressive weapon on your hands. The GT Speed has mass appeal but with an exclusive price tag. I’m sure the GT Speed will go down as being a legend in motoring history.
Video Highlights
Specification
Bentley Continental GT Speed
- Price: £195,595
- Engine: 6.0 Litre Turbocharged W12
- Power: 626 bhp
- Torque: 820 Nm
- Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic ZF
- 0-62mph: 4.0 Seconds
- Top speed: 206 mph
- Weight: 2,320 kg
- Economy combined: 19mpg
- CO2: 338 g/km
Author: Paul Hadley
