Bentley’s Continental GT Speed is its most powerful road car ever. The 2026 model ditches the W12 engine for a plug-in hybrid setup combining a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 with an electric motor.
Total output reaches 771 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. That easily eclipses the 650 horsepower and 664 pound-feet from the outgoing W12.
The electric motor sits within the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. It makes 188 horsepower and 332 pound-feet on its own.
The car runs almost silently on electricity alone as long as you don’t exceed 75% throttle travel or hit 87 mph.
The 25.9 kWh battery delivers 30 miles of EPA-rated electric range. Real-world testing showed 38 miles before the battery depleted.
When the twin-turbo V8 fires up, things get sinister. The engine growls with determination as the powertrain switches from EV mode to Hybrid mode.
Sport mode not only uses the electric motor but also overruns the engine to charge the battery. Over 55 miles in Sport mode, it added 14 miles of charge.
Zero to 60 mph happens in 3.1 seconds. Top speed reaches 208 mph.
The power hits hard when you stomp the throttle. Standard all-wheel drive puts power down efficiently.
The EPA rates the GT Speed at 19 mpg combined on petrol. Real-world testing averaged 21.5 mpg over 165 miles with about 60 miles of electric driving mixed in.
The plug-in hybrid brings extra weight with it. This car tips the scales at 5,421 pounds.
That’s about 370 pounds more than the last-generation W12 model. The Continental GT Speed leans more toward grand tourer than sports car now.
Bentley does everything possible to wrangle the weight and provide engaging handling.
Aluminium double wishbones sit up front with an aluminium multi-link design in the rear.
Adaptive dampers and four-corner air springs handle suspension duties. Active anti-roll bars, rear-axle steering, and an electric limited-slip differential round out the chassis tech.
The technology works brilliantly. The car feels wide and planted with sharp, weighty steering that exudes stability.
Active anti-roll bars create a flat cornering attitude. The Pirelli P Zero tyres grip hard.
The car rotates willingly without push despite the weight. That’s likely due to near-perfect 49/51 front-to-rear weight balance achieved by mounting the battery in the boot area.
Massive 16.9-inch ventilated front rotors with 10-piston callipers and 15-inch rear rotors with six-piston callipers handle stopping duties.
Carbon-ceramic brakes cost $24,500 extra and increase rotor sizes to 17.3 inches front and 16.1 inches rear.
The cabin features 20-way power-adjustable front seats with quilted leather upholstery, heating, ventilation, and massage.
Beautiful materials get lovingly hand assembled. A digital instrument cluster pairs with a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. The rotating centre screen is properly cool.
Pricing starts at $306,000 including $4,100 destination charge. Most options focus on cosmetic features.
The change from W12 to plug-in hybrid V8 makes the GT Speed more efficient and unlocks a quiet side without sacrificing its sinister performance character.
