Skip advert
Advertisement

2021 Bentley Continental GT Speed – new 650bhp flagship confirmed

Bentley’s new 208mph Continental GT Speed marks the beginning of the W12’s swansong.

Bentley has revealed its latest range-topping Continental GT model with the return of the Speed. As with the previous generation examples, the new Continental GT Speed features a more powerful version of Bentley’s 6-litre W12 engine and a selection of chassis upgrades and styling changes.

Behind its black mesh grille the twin-turbo 6-litre W12’s power output increases by the smallest of margins from 626bhp to 650bhp (the changes are little more than a software tweak), with peak torque sticking at 664lb ft but now available across a wider rev range.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As a result of the small power bump, the Continental GT Speed will reach 62mph in 3.6sec, 0.1sec faster than the standard GT, and go on to 208mph, a 1mph increase. As far as marginal gains go, these are pretty marginal.  

However, thanks to a new electronically controlled limited-slip differential in the rear axle, a first for Bentley, the Speed’s all-wheel drive system has been tuned to deliver a more substantial rear-drive bias than the regular V8 and W12 GT models when Sport mode is selected. Designed to clean up the power deployment across the rear axle, the new diff is also designed to prevent unnecessary slip from the rear tyres and improve composure on the way into and out of corners. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Advertisement - Article continues below

Also new to the latest GT Speed is the fitment of a rear-wheel steering system. Already in use in the Flying Spur, the system works like many others of the type by steering in opposition to the front axle at low speeds to boost agility and in conjunction with the fronts at higher speeds aiding stability.

The Conti’s three-chamber air-suspension system, adaptive dampers and 48V-powered active anti-roll stabilisation systems are all fitted as before, but come with revised calibrations to further sharpen responses. There’s a new set of carbon ceramic brakes available as an option, to, which feature 10-piston front and 4-piston rear calipers. Together, the carbon brake package removes 33kg from the Speed’s unsprung weight compared to the standard steel brakes. Overall weight is up to 2276kg, 32kg more than a standard W12.

Visually, the Speed doesn’t dramatically vary from the standard W12 Continental GT. There’s a subtle use of carbonfibre on the splitter, sills, rear diffuser and lip spoiler, all familiar to the items available in the Mulliner carbon styling package. There is a unique dark silver finish to the brightwork though, and the standard 22-inch wheels are also new. Inside Bentley is offering an optional Alcantara trim package and a bespoke dark-tinted turned aluminium dash fascia, but all can be specified to any one of Bentley’s typically wide pallet of colours and materials. 

Bentley has yet to confirm prices of the new Continental GT Speed, but it should be priced at around a small premium to the current Continental GT W12 which currently starts at £159,900. Bentley has since also revealed a Speed version of the Continental GT Convertible, but a fast Flying Spur will take a little longer to appear arrive.  

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

The Bentley Continental GT Supersport is making a return, and it won’t be hybrid
Bentley Continental GT Supersport
News

The Bentley Continental GT Supersport is making a return, and it won’t be hybrid

Eight years since it went off sale, the Bentley Continental GT Supersport is coming back to showrooms. Here’s everything we know
3 Oct 2025
Bentley Continental GT 2025 review – Crewe's DB12 rival has the Aston Martin licked
Bentley Continental GT front
Reviews

Bentley Continental GT 2025 review – Crewe's DB12 rival has the Aston Martin licked

We’ve already experienced the scintillating Speed model; now it's the turn of the regular Conti GT to impress
21 Jul 2025
Who makes the best GT car? Aston Martin v Bentley v Maserati
Bentley Continental GT Speed v Aston Martin DB12 v Maserati GranTurismo
Group tests

Who makes the best GT car? Aston Martin v Bentley v Maserati

We pitch the new Bentley Continental GT Speed against the 671bhp Aston Martin DB12 and the MC20-engined Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo
15 Jun 2025
Bentley Continental GT Speed 2025 review – driving the most powerful Bentley yet
Bentley Continental GT – front
Reviews

Bentley Continental GT Speed 2025 review – driving the most powerful Bentley yet

The latest Continental GT is the beginning of a new plug-in hybrid era for Bentley. Is it still a benchmark grand tourer?
15 May 2025
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Best cars of the 2000s – the best cars from the best of times
Best cars of the 2000s
Best cars

Best cars of the 2000s – the best cars from the best of times

The 2000s was a decade that went supernova for the performance car market. We count down just a few of the very best cars of the decade
6 Oct 2025
When Performance Car magazine closed, two writers and a Subaru kept driving
Subaru Impreza Turbo
Opinion

When Performance Car magazine closed, two writers and a Subaru kept driving

Porter recounts the extraordinary day that led to the birth of evo
6 Oct 2025
RML GT Hypercar review – the Porsche 911 taken to the ultimate extreme
RML GT Hypercar front
Reviews

RML GT Hypercar review – the Porsche 911 taken to the ultimate extreme

As close as anything’s gotten to being a modern day 911 GT1, the RML GT hypercar is a 900bhp monster
7 Oct 2025