The new Bentley Continental GT Speed is aimed at discerning individuals for whom the 2011 Continental GT’s performance doesn’t quite cut it. Thus Bentley has announced that it will give the new GT Speed its first public outing at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed (28 June to 1 July).
The new GT Speed is powered by an uprated version of Bentley’s 6.0-litre 48-valve, quad-cam, twinturbocharged W12 engine. Power is up over the previous model by 30 kW to 460 kW – the GT Speed is now just 3 kW shy of the current Continential Supersports – while torque remains unchanged at 800 Nm. With power transfered to the pavement via a newly revised ZF 8-speed automatic transmission, the 0 – 100 km/h sprint takes 4.2 seconds and the car’s top speed is 329 km/h.
Bentley says it has also achieved a 12 percent improvement in fuel consumption, although exact figures have not been released – and it’s likely that prospective buyers couldn’t care less. Other highlights include a lowered and uprated suspension, unique 21-inch Speed wheels, Speed grille and exhaust pipes. Inside, the Mulliner Driving Specification comes as standard, together with a number of signature Speed design cues that combine contemporary luxury with a distinctly sporting character.
