When the original Continental GT SpeedBentley Continental GT SpeedUnited Kingdom, 2007 > present4 photos
was unveiled in 2008 it became my favorite BentleyBentley ArnageUnited Kingdom, 1998 > 20092 series
8 versions
17 photos
overnight, so expectations were set very high for the latest GTBentley Continental GT SpeedUnited Kingdom, 2012 > present20 photos
to bear the ‘Speed’ designation.

The 2008 car had a power hike from 552bhp to 600bhp and, I have to confess, it was largely irrelevant. The W12 has never been a joy to rev, but it has majored on tractability and effortless cruising ability, so I was largely disinterested when I found out that power had increased again to 621bhp – this time from 575bhp.

No, the reason why I liked the Speed so much back in 2008 was that it had a lovely ride and handling balance. I’m not talking about adjustability on the limit or razor sharp responses; this is 2.4 tonnes after all. I’m saying that the roll, pitch and dive that the standard car succumbed to under heavy acceleration in any direction was largely eradicated without an appreciable reduction in ride quality. If anything it rode better as the whole car felt more stable.

I have to confess that I haven’t fallen in love with the latest W12’s suspension setup either. It feels disconnected to me so I hoped again that the ‘Speed’ would sort that out. The V8 feels ok due to the reduction in weight that the smaller engine brings but that won’t wash with this one’s mighty 12 cylinder lump.

Bentley Continental GT Speed 2012 366 cu in 625 hp @ 6000 rpm 205 mph 4.2s

Bentley Continental GT Speed 2007 366 cu in 610 hp @ 6000 rpm 202 mph 4.50s

view full comparison

So, what of it? They’ve done it again is the good news. The new ‘Speed’ feels better connected from a driver’s point of view and it has lost none of its ride quality either. The only strange thing about the suspension that I could find was that whichever mode you set the electronically adjustable dampers to there is no appreciable difference in how it drives. Lucky that they’ve got it right then isn’t it? It’s strange though nonetheless.

And the engine? It’s exactly the same as it always is but with a bit more exhaust rumble now and it’s been mated to the excellent new 8-speed gearbox. It’s rare I say this about the ZF unit, but this time I’m not sure I was overly fussed about its presence. There is so much torque on offer that six speeds are enough and it is possible to catch the 8-speed out occasionally too.

As a driver you are also less able to make use of the paddles as well, due to the fact that one’s brain can’t keep up with which bloody gear you’re in! And then, of course, due to the fact it doesn’t sound as good as the V8 there is less point in working the gearbox for aural pleasure.

I think I’m being a bit overly fussy with all that though, aren’t I?

It all boils down to what you should buy I guess, and it seems obvious that there is now next to no market for a standard W12. The ‘Speed’ looks better, sounds better and drives better and you’re going to lose the value of a small house whatever you choose. The V8 is probably the pick of the bunch for most (and it sounds epic) but for some the allure of a 200mph+ top speed and the ability to brag down at the pub will prove too much to resist…and who can blame them?

One final thought: The original ‘Speed’ came out four years after the standard car. This one has followed much sooner and it is worth mentioning again that when you get into a ‘new’ GT it still doesn’t feel all that new at all really. If Bentley had done something a bit more ‘different’’ this time round they might not have had to roll out the new models and variations quite so quickly. The next car will have to be a significant step forward I think, as the Bentley buying public won’t stand for a ‘same again’ third generation.