New Bentley Continental GT Speed Is Focused on Performance Yet Compromises Nothing

Bentley has introduced the Continental GT Speed, a performance-minded iteration of an already great thing. With the British automaker’s W12 churning 650 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, the new GT Speed is relentless on the road. But it’s not just about performance here and the Grand Tourer’s latest tech as well as exterior and interior detailing prove that you truly can have it all.

The Bentley Continental GT Speed takes all of what we love with the Continental GT and kicks it up a notch. Where the GT already had a strong presence, the GT Speed gets a bit more muscular to enhance its stance without compromising the tourer’s elegance and refinement. Speed models feature a Dark Tint radiator grille and matrix and lower bumper grille, as well as revised sports sills. Wheels are now 22-inch Speed-spec in your choice of silver, dark tint, or black gloss. Additional details include “jewel” versions of the fuel and oil filler caps and illuminated Bentley treadplates to both sills.

Inside, Bentley continues to impress with handcrafted materials and impeccable details. The GT Speed gets a unique duotone color split handcrafted in hide and matching Alcantara. This even touches the steering wheel but if that’s not your thing then you can opt for leather. Just know there’s fifteen main and eleven secondary hide colors to choose from so you can easily tailor the GT Speed to your liking. Bentley’s Diamond in Diamond quilting is standard while Speed embroidered headrests take things a step further. As expected, there’s a range of veneers as well.

With all these cosmetic edits considered, the new Continental GT Speed’s underpinnings are what truly separate it from the standard GT. The advanced chassis utilizes four new technologies to increase agility without compromising ride comfort. The GT has a few different driving modes and the GT Speed dramatically enhances their experiences. Electronic All-Wheel Steering helps, especially Bentley Dynamic Ride and an electronic limited slip differential help to push the GT Speed to new heights. With more speed comes the need for more stopping power so Bentley’s introduced newly-engineered Carbon Ceramic brakes as an option for more bite and a firm brake pedal feel.

So much of the new Bentley Continental GT Speed will be judged from behind the wheel but there’s much to appreciate in the meantime. No word yet on exact pricing but US customers can place their orders now with deliveries beginning in the third quarter of this year.