Bentley's new Continental GT Speed Coupe has arrived, known for its agility, speed, power, and flexibility. Further, its new advanced chassis has been modified to achieve these ends and is highly noticeable, and the new brake system is quite advanced and so large to the point where Bentley claims this braking system showcases the world's biggest brakes on a road car.
The interior is also quite opulent, yet somewhat practical, with a consistent design scheme in mind. Front-wheel drive has been abandoned in favor of all-wheel-drive, and while the car can easily cut corners, the manufacturers didn't cut corners when designing it.
Read on to find more about what makes this new Continental GT Speed Coupe so remarkable and impressive.
Agile And Reactive
The Continental GT Speed Coupe has, so far, been shaping up to be Bentley's most reactive and agile vehicle they've ever manufactured.
For comparison, the average specs of Bentley vehicles produced throughout the last decade have 561 lb-ft of torque, put out 573 hp, and weigh 5,373 pounds. The 2022 Continental GT Speed Coupe, however, has 664 lb-ft of torque, puts out 650 hp, and weighs 5,000 pounds. A combination of more power and lighter weight has made the Continental GT Speed Coupe faster, more agile, and flexible.
That said, those traits aren't even the most distinguishing in regard to speed and agility; chassis modifications are even more noticeable, with vehicle dynamics following closely behind. The rear-steer system from the Flying Spur sedan has been fitted to the rear axle, while an electronic limited-slip differential is also incorporated, as a first for a Bentley vehicle.
All-wheel steering and large brakes are also added to this model to give it more of a presence. The software helps control stability and makes the all-wheel-drive system more active, reactive, and agile. With a quicker steering ratio and a brake system that showcases 10-piston calipers and monstrous 17.3-inch front rotors as an option, this Continental GT Speed Coupe will be noticed, especially given how these brakes are the largest ones ever fitted to a road car.
Delivers Strong Performance
This particular Continental GT offers a more solid and stable driving experience than others like it. The 6.0-liter W-12's engine management software has also been revised to emphasize stability and control, and this car can achieve 60 MPH in only 3.5 seconds.
It also has a “Sport” mode that gives a thrust surge by alternating between gears twice as fast, thanks to the dual-clutch eight-speed transmission. However, one detriment of the braking system is that it's hard to be precise when modulating the pedal, and braking distances increase three feet when repeatedly stopped at high speeds. However, drivers overlook this in favor of agility and flexibility, as noted best when the car turns corners.
While its predecessors used a platform that favors front-wheel drive, the Continental GT Speed Coupe has 58% of its mass on the front axle because of its all-wheel-drive system, allowing it to quickly cut corners and cut between corners, just as long as the driver can be patient with the throttle.
Interior Emphasizes Relaxation
The Continental GT Speed Coupe has an interior made with luxury, opulence, and relaxation in mind, and it shows. First off, the seats are heated, ventilated, and padded with thick leather hides.
The leather theme with and Alcantara upholstery is also prominent throughout the interior and on the steering wheel, alongside warm wood accents and many crucial metal knobs. Massaging seats are also available as an option, and so are dark-tinted center console inlays. The Continental's interior even comes with plenty of storage space in bins and pockets, as well as in its large trunk.
Rear seats can hold both a rear-facing infant seat and a full-size adult, which is quite the range. The infotainment system is managed via a wide touchscreen that incorporates both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration, and driving assist and advanced safety features can also be accessed from here. The company has also been known to do some custom modifications with their options if it means the car is sold.
Options Offer Speed And Power
The options the Continental GT Speed Coupe offers are all about boosting and enhancing the vehicle's power and speed. A lot of its design touches are specific to the Speed model, with its lower air intake and its dark-finish grille. Further, it also features thoroughly sculpted side sills and 22-inch wheels specific to the Speed. Also of note is that while this car has a lot of options, the aforementioned all-wheel-drive is now standard.
On top of that, the Continental's 48-volt suspension architecture reduces body roll, so the car stays fairly flat and not raised when it turns a corner. Of note is that the Porsche Panamera already uses these driveline technologies, and the Continental GT shares the same platform. Therefore, it was simple to adapt said technologies to work with a vehicle from an identical platform. Altogether, this car costs around $250,000.
Sources: motortrend.com, edmunds.com, cnet.com,