At Home on the Racetrack

There was a car that drew the intense gaze of enthusiasts at this year's Paris Motor Show 2012at the Bentley booth. It was the "Continental GT3 Concept."Based on the familiar Continental GT, it was fitted with an enormous rear wing and its ride height was lowered so much that not even a finger could fit underneath. The interior was also stripped down. The souped-up powertrain and the extremely minimalist interior hinted at the "seriousness" of a works car. It was truly a racing machine with a combative presence...



While Bentley has had a less sporty image in recent years, the GT3 Concept's appearance seems to have awakened its racing spirit after a long time. As a brand that originated in racing, it's likely a simple matter for them when the need arises.




However, it cannot be denied that the market played a role in driving this trend. With the previous generation "Continental GT," the GT Speed high-performance version accounted for half of all sales. In other words, customers desired a car that could deliver a higher level of driving performance. It is likely that the GT3 machine was born out of such strong demand.

Not Enough Even on the Autobahn?

So, how does the GT Speed perform? First, the body feels more robust. The steering input results in the entire car, from front to rear, moving as a single unit. This is particularly evident at high speeds, where the downforce stabilizes the car, keeping its behavior in check.



The familiar 6-liter W12 engine now produces 625 ps. V8's 507 ps, and the Standard W12's 575 ps, making for three distinct variations. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF. With its rather close gear ratios, it shifts up early to improve fuel efficiency.



The drivetrain remains AWD, as before. The power distribution is 40% front and 60% rear. This was also adopted for the standard model in the current generation. While the previous generation had a 50:50 split, the GT Speed's 40:60 distribution was found to be more balanced, so it was incorporated. Frankly, at higher speeds, this feels more natural. I strongly felt this when testing the previous GT Speed at the Monteblanco Circuit in Spain, as I did this time.



Other original equipment includes the front bumper, rear lamp bezels, exhaust, 21-inch alloy wheels, pedals, and scuff plates. The range of body colors has also been expanded. Well, given that it's from a country of bespoke craftsmanship, anything is possible.

Unnoticeable Even at 250 km/h

So, what is it like to actually drive? The first thing you notice is the increased body rigidity. In response to steering inputs, the entire car, from front to rear, moves as a single unit. This is particularly evident at high speeds, where the downforce keeps the body planted and stabilizes its behavior.



This level of engineering is impressive; occupants will not feel uneasy even at very high speeds. Passengers would likely not even realize they are cruising at 250 km/h unless they glanced at the speedometer.



This is the result of aerodynamic design of the car's underside, a 10mm lower ride height, and modifications to the anti-roll bars and suspension mounts. However, it's also important to note that this contributes to a comfortable ride.



The dampers offer four levels of stiffness adjustment, yet even in the sportiest setting, a minimum level of comfort is impressively maintained. Even on bumpy roads, the car glides smoothly, maintaining a flat feel. At these moments, you truly feel the "Bentley" touch. It's so comfortable that you forget you're riding on tires with a size of 275/35ZR21.BentleyIt's a level of comfort that makes you forget about the tire size, 275/35ZR21.



Another impressive feature is the braking system. The test car was equipped with the optional carbon-ceramic brakes, which decelerate the car precisely with strong G-forces from any speed. This is likely due to efficient heat dissipation. Even during frequent, sharp braking on winding roads, the initial pedal feel remained consistent. This is truly remarkable.



As mentioned at the beginning, the GT Speed, released in 2008, has accounted for nearly half of the GT series' total volume. In that sense, it can hardly be called a niche model. The benefits of a sports car that can also be used for daily driving seem to be particularly well-known among its target audience.


Bentley Continental GT Speed｜Bentley Continental GT Speed

Body Dimensions｜4,806×1,944×1,394mm (2,227mm wide including mirrors)

Wheelbase｜2,746mm

Tread Front/Rear｜1,667/1,663mm

Weight｜2,320kg

Engine｜5,998cc W12 Twin-Turbo

Max. Output｜460kW (625ps) / 6,000rpm

Max. Torque｜800Nm / 2,000rpm

Transmission｜8-speed automatic

Drivetrain｜All-wheel drive

Top Speed｜330km/h

0-100km/h Acceleration｜4.2 seconds

Front Suspension｜4-link double wishbone air suspension with anti-roll bar

Rear Suspension｜Trapezoidal multi-link air suspension with anti-roll bar

Tires Front/Rear｜275/35ZR21

Fuel Economy｜14.5ℓ/km (EU Cycle Combined)

CO2 Emissions｜338g/km