2021 Bentley Continental GT Speed ​​has 659 PS & 900 NM!

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Recently updated on April 26, 2021 at 06:56 am

Photos by Bentley

Bentley Motors today announced details of the new Continental GT Speed ​​- the most dynamic road vehicle in Bentley's 101-year history and the ultimate performance-driven take on the luxury grand tourer that sets global standards. This third generation model, designed, engineered, developed and handcrafted in Bentley's carbon-neutral luxury automobile plant, builds on a long tradition of speed variants. The Continental GT Speed ​​was introduced with the first generation in 2, which was inspired by the 2007-liter Speed ​​models of the 3s. As the ultimate combination of luxury and performance a Grand Tourer has to offer, the latest GT Speed ​​carries on that legacy.

Bentley Continental GT Speed

Dr. Matthias Rabe, Head of Development at Bentley Motors, comments: "The new Continental GT Speed ​​is the highlight of performance-oriented grand touring. This new, fascinating and dynamic model powerfully expresses the values ​​of the Continental GT, optimizes the driving experience with exclusive speed details and enables more control over the character of the vehicle.

The most luxurious grand tourer in the world is now significantly more powerful than ever before and offers sportier features that are appealing to performance-oriented drivers. The speed is the newest chapter in the history of the Continental GT. Bentley's customers can use it to create their own extraordinary trips."

New chassis technology - real sports car potential

The top model of the Continental GT family is equipped with modern chassis technology, which is used especially for the new variant. A new electronic all-wheel steering optimizes the dynamic character of the speed in the driving modes BENTLEY and COMFORT. But the new steering comes into its own even more clearly in SPORT mode, in which, together with the Bentley Dynamic Ride system and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential, it ensures agility at a level that no other Bentley road vehicle can match.

At low and medium speeds, the rear wheels of the GT Speed ​​are steered in the opposite direction to the front wheels in order to support rapid changes of direction. Result: The vehicle's reactions are much more sensitive. The steering feels more precise and more direct, with the considerable increase in the steering feel ensuring an even more confident driving behavior. At high speeds, the rear wheels are steered in the same direction as the front wheels to optimize stability. In the GT Speed, the system is designed to be much more active than in the Flying Spur, in which the main task of the system is to reduce the turning circle and improve stability at high speeds.

The traction control and torque distribution associated with the active all-wheel steering have been retuned in all operating modes, giving the speed a significantly different character than the normal Continental GT. Bentley's basic idea - vehicles should feel progressive and safe, yet dynamic - has been retained, so that this approach offers a satisfying driving experience for everyone. In order to implement this philosophy in BENTLEY and COMFORT mode, the traction is evenly distributed between the front and rear wheels, while the torque in SPORT mode is shifted in favor of the rear axle in all driving situations.

electronically controlled limited slip differential

In this latest generation of the Continental GT Speed, an electronically controlled limited slip differential (eLSD) is being introduced to the rear wheels of a Bentley for the first time. The eLSD, specially coordinated with the traction control and the active chassis system, offers increased lateral capacity, improved stability in the longitudinal axis as well as optimized behavior during acceleration and better traction in adverse road conditions.

This ensures improved traction in BENTLEY and COMFORT operation, makes the vehicle appear more stable at high speeds and gives the driver a more confident feeling. In SPORT mode, the eLSD is designed to adapt its behavior to any position of the accelerator pedal, to improve steering behavior and to increase performance when driving straight ahead. The interplay of these technical achievements means that the Continental GT Speed ​​is more adaptable and more driver-oriented than other models before, without compromising on comfort or stability.

The improved cornering dynamics and the additional traction of the new systems enable the driver to accelerate out of every corner with even greater precision and confidence. In return, the vehicle can draw the maximum power from the available traction in order to offer a fascinating acceleration ability with outstanding serenity at the same time. In SPORT mode, the traction management system shifts proportionally more power to the rear axle, which means that curves can be negotiated in an even more controlled line when the accelerator pedal is depressed.

Bentley Dynamic Ride System

These systems are accompanied by chassis technologies that ensure vehicle stability and driving comfort without weighing them up against each other - in particular Bentley's active three-chamber air suspension with adaptive shock absorption and the Bentley Dynamic Ride system, the active 48-volt roll stabilization, which Bentley first introduced in the Bentayga and introduced it in the third generation of the Continental GT. This innovative system is equipped with powerful electric motors in each stabilizer to prevent the body from rolling. In their tightest setting, these motors can develop an output of 0,3 Nm in 1.300 seconds to counter centrifugal forces in curves and prevent the body from tilting.

Depending on the selected operating mode, the electronic stability control (ESC) gives the driver greater freedom before the Speed ​​safety systems intervene to correct any anomalies. If the ESC is activated, the vehicle offers calming stability on uneven ground, unusual wheel falls or unfavorable weather conditions. If the ESC is switched to dynamic mode, greater freedom is granted so that experienced drivers can adjust and change the cornering behavior of the vehicle at will.

When the ESC is switched off, the mechanical traction and the natural balance of the GT Speed ​​come to the fore, creating a driver-oriented experience that was previously only available in Bentley's motorsport vehicles. After using the strong turning behavior through all-wheel steering and eLSD, the driver can balance the throttle and steering on the racetrack in such a way that effortless, progressive yaw angles can be achieved.

To complement the additional performance of the chassis, a newly designed carbon-ceramic brake system was introduced as an optional extra for the GT Speed. Brake discs made of carbon silicon carbide provide additional bite, reliable, firm feedback from the brake pedal and excellent resistance to loss of braking efficiency. Brake calipers with ten pistons at the front and four pistons on the rear wheels offer enormous braking power - which is necessary to convert up to 10 megajoules of energy into heat when braking from top speed. The carbon-ceramic material also weighs more than 33 kg (unsprung mass) and produces extremely little brake dust, which keeps the look of the unique 22-inch speed wheels in pristine condition for longer.

Continental GT Speed ​​- Fascinating performance

The new GT Speed ​​is the ultimate performance-driven expression of Bentley's definitive Grand Tourer while still maintaining the luxury, comfort and everyday usability of its stable mates. It is equipped with an optimized version of Bentley's famous 6,0-liter W12 TSI engine, the 659 hp - a four percent increase, i.e. 24 hp, compared to the current W12 model - and an unchanged torque level of an impressive 900 Nm offers. In conjunction with exceptional handling, this results in a top speed of 335 km / h and an acceleration from 0 to 100 km / h in 3,6 seconds, a reduction of 0,1 seconds.

The engine and transmission have been specially tailored to the driver-oriented performance of the vehicle. Most noticeable is this new calibration in SPORT mode, in which the doubly turbocharged W12 is tuned to keep the engine in the power range longer by shifting up or downshifting earlier. This results in a more lively response when the driver moves the accelerator pedal.

In keeping with the tradition of speed, the gear changes of the eight-speed dual clutch transmission in SPORT mode are twice as fast as in the W12 standard model. This is combined with a more charismatic engine sound when starting and downshifting. But the Continental GT Speed ​​not only offers impressive performance, it also benefits from Bentley's stop-start technology to maximize efficiency, in which the engine is not only switched off when the vehicle is stationary, but also at extremely low speeds.

Bentley's cylinder deactivation deactivates half of the engine's twelve cylinders under certain conditions, whereby the transitions between activation and deactivation are imperceptible to the driver. The intake and exhaust valves, fuel injection and ignition of fixed cylinders are switched off so that the engine runs as a six-cylinder to increase fuel efficiency.

GT Speed ​​exterior details - determination across the board

The athletic body of the Continental GT was designed even more spectacularly for the GT Speed. Exclusive body details add a powerful, athletic presence and blend seamlessly with the effortless elegance of the Continental GT. Speed ​​models are supplemented with dark-tinted grille inserts on the radiator and lower bumper, as well as exclusive, more conspicuously shaped sports side skirts and discreet, chrome-plated speed emblems on the front bumper.

Another exclusive equipment feature of the most powerful Continental GT version are the unique 22-inch speed wheels in glossy silver, which are also available with a dark tinted or glossy black surface on request. Decorative versions for the lids of the tank cap and oil filler neck are included as standard, while the illuminated Bentley door sills on both sides provide a discreet indication of the Speed's performance.

A unique, luxurious interior

The new Continental GT Speed ​​impressively demonstrates Bentley's expertise in creating the world's most exquisite vehicle interiors. Handcrafted materials merge with an interior cladding and emblems that are only available for the Speed ​​and that can be further individualized on request. The performance of the Continental GT Speed ​​is underlined in the interior by a handcrafted material mix of leather and Alcantara in an exclusive color combination, which can also be found on the steering wheel. The emblems on the body are picked up by an elegant speed badge on the passenger side of the dashboard.

The luxurious interior can be further customized with a choice of 15 primary and eleven secondary leather colors. In addition, leather can be selected instead of Alcantara for the speed color combination. The center console can be designed in a new, dark-tinted aluminum surface that shows a beautiful, geometrically perfectly polished pattern. Bentley's double diamond quilting is included in the standard equipment, while the headrests embroidered with the "Speed" lettering are another distinguishing feature of the most powerful Continental GT.

Various veneers are available for the GT Speed, starting with Piano Black as standard. Crown Cut Walnut, Dark Stained Burr Walnut and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus are also available at no extra charge. Three open-pore veneer types (Dark Burr Walnut, Crown Cut Walnut and Koa) are also available as optional extras. Like the other Continental GT models, the Speed ​​is equipped with four seats and an exceptional Grand Touring luggage capacity of 358 liters. The driver-oriented new model, equipped with exquisite details, a technologically innovative instrument panel and the widely acclaimed Bentley Rotating Display, perfectly complements the performance spectrum of the Continental GT model series.

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