Marketing Manager
Bentley introduced the fourth-generation Continental GT Speed on the first day of this year’s Festival of Speed. The car is being presented twice, once in the hillclimb and the second in an innovative ‘underwater’ display.
The Continental GT Speed, available in both coupe and convertible models, is the most powerful road-going Bentley ever. Equipped with an all-new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, it delivers 782 PS and 1,000 Nm of torque, surpassing the previous W12 engine. Despite its enhanced performance, the new powertrain achieves a reduction in CO2 emissions to just 29 g/km.
Complementing its powerful engine, the GT Speed features a sophisticated new chassis system. This includes two-chamber air springs, dual-valve dampers, Bentley Dynamic Ride (48V active anti-roll control), eLSD, and torque vectoring. These advancements result in exceptional body control and the most comfortable ride in a Continental GT to date, with a 49:51 rear-biased weight distribution for the first time.
The exterior design marks the most significant revision to the Continental GT’s appearance in 20 years, embracing a new design direction for Bentley. Notably, it is the first mainstream Bentley since the 1950s to feature single headlamps.
Inside, this new model introduces advanced wellness seat technology, air ionisation, three-dimensional leather textures, modern quilting, and technical finishes such as dark chrome.
In addition to the two Continental GT Speed models on the Hill Climb, a third example is uniquely displayed near the Kinrara Enclosure, celebrating the unofficial ‘Underwater Speed Record’—the fastest a car has ever travelled through a tunnel, reaching 208 mph (335 km/h).
The ‘FOShtank’ display is a bespoke adaptation of Bentley’s glass ‘Toy Box’ units from their Dream Factory campus in Crewe. This version includes a custom-built fish tank, a tongue-in-cheek nod to the underwater theme.
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