Bentley Continental GT Speed Stupendous Acceleration

There are few four-seater production cars that will get near 200 mph. Now, there is one that will exceed that figure the Bentley Continental GT Speed, an uprated version of the Bentley Continental GT. Although the Continental GT has only two doors, it has as surprising amount of space for four people and their luggage, and so does the new model.

Bentley Continental GT W-12 engine

To improve performance, the Bentley Continental GT Speed has a W-12 engine uprated from 550 bhp to 600 bhp at 6,000 rpm. Maximum torque is a prodigious 553 lb ft (750 Nm) at only 1,750 rpm. This means that the engine produces colossal power anywhere from 2,000 to 6,000 rpm! Some engine.

Not only is the top speed up there with many an exotic two-seater, but so is the acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.3 seconds, 0-100 mph in 10.3 seconds, and 50-70 mph in 2.3 seconds or 80-120 km/h in 3.0 seconds. From 30 to 70 mph the car takes just 4.0 seconds.

These are all amazingly quick figures for such a hulk even a beautiful one like this. The car weighs well over two tonnes, with a curb weight of 5,180 lb (2,350 kg).

Incidentally, the first Bentley Speed models were produced in 1923 and also had higher performance than the other 3-liter models being produced at the time, in the same way that the new Speed model is more powerful than the Continental GT.

Several changes to the engine

The engine capacity remains the same at 6.0 liters, and efficiency has been improved on all Bentley W-12 engines by means of:

• New crankcase design to reduce internal losses
• More efficient catalyst and exhaust system for improved emissions
• Lighter weight single chain drive for camshaft
• New engine management system and faster response cam sensor

In addition, the Bentley Continental GT Speed gets increased boost, lighter connecting rods, and improved pistons with anodized rings able to withstand the greater pressures of combustion. In addition, the engine management system has been recalibrated 'chipped' as tuners say.

Incidentally despite the extra power, Bentley says that CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are reduced by 3.5 per cent not much, and the existing models are pretty thirsty, which does not seem to worry customers.

50:50 torque split in four-wheel drive

Bentley uses the same ZF six-speed automatic and its four-wheel drive system as on previous Continental GTs. There is a Torsen center differential giving a 50:50 front:rear torque split.

To cope with the extra power, the air suspension has been uprated springs and dampers improve body control. The anti-roll bars have been altered to reduce under steer, which will be a welcome improvement. As before, double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension is fitted as on the Audi A8.

Bentley has also taken advantages of improvements in electronics to give the driver more control. A stability control is fitted but there is now a Dynamic Mode that reduces the torque delivered to the wheels for a shorter period, giving the driver a bit more fun. Of course, there are also ABS and traction control and other features in the electronics.

To give the Bentley Continental GT Speed the response needed for such a sporty model, the front sub-frame is mounted rigidly to the body, instead of on rubber. This gives the driver more predictable control. For the same reason, stiffer suspension bushes are fitted at the rear.

Because the Bentley Continental GT is a very heavy car, efforts have been made to reduce weight. Revised suspension and cooling systems reduce weight by 77 lb (35 kg) – for example there are now more aluminum components in the suspension. Not much, but a step in the right direction.

To handle that power, the Continental GT Speed gets 9.5 x 20-inch alloy wheels with bespoke Pirelli P-Zero tyres, which are said to improve both steering response and grip.

Big brakes carbon ceramic option

Big brakes are essential for a car with 600 bhp weighing over two tons, and they have gone in for half measures here, the ventilated front discs are 16 inch (405 mm) diameter, and those at the rear are 13 inch (335 mm) diameter. 

Bentley says these are the largest brakes on any production car and you probably need them.

However, if you want more stopping power when driving really hard you can have even more massive carbon-ceramic discs. These are no less than 16.5 inch (420 mm) diameter at the front – and they are cross drilled -and 14 inch (356 mm) at the rear. Wow!