Bentley was in a foul state on the finish of the twentieth century. It was an excellent low-volume producer with a handful of automobiles that regarded identical to Rolls-Royces (as a result of they have been), however then within the early 2000s, the automaker modified its total fortune round by introducing the Continental GT to the world. Its quad headlights, W12 engine and supreme consolation took the world by storm, and now the remainder is historical past.
Over 20 years later with practically 100,000 Continental GTs bought all over the world, Bentley is launching its newest creation: the fourth-generation Continental GT Velocity. Certain, it might not look terribly completely different from the surface, however the plug-in-hybrid mechanics beneath make it an entire new automobile. The GT Velocity could also be out-of-this-world costly, nevertheless it’s additionally out-of-this-world good, and that’s what’ll actually matter to Bentley patrons.
Full Disclosure: Bentley flew me out to Switzerland, put me up in a deeply extravagant lodge and paid for all of my meals simply so I may drive the 2025 Continental GT Velocity.
The massive information with the 2025 Continental GT Velocity is that the twin-turbo W12 that powered it since its inception isn’t any extra. As a substitute is a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 (borrowed from different areas of Volkswagen group and already used within the V8 Contis) mated as much as a 187-hp electrical motor that sits within the transmission and will get its juice from a 25.9-kWh battery pack. Certain, the previous W12 had a hell of loads of character and it will likely be missed, however rattling does this new plug-in-hybrid setup make up for its absence. Altogether, the automobile produces 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, up from 650 hp and 664 lb-ft within the previous W12 Velocity. That’s sufficient to get this over 5,400-pound automobile from 0 to 60 mph in simply 3.1 seconds, and when you preserve your foot in it, you’ll high out at 208 mph. These are some critical numbers.
This type of velocity, as you could have imagined, is sort of ferocious — and it’s aided by the wonderful-sounding V8. I’m unsure how Bentley was capable of make a 4.0-liter motor sound like a World Warfare II fighter airplane, however wow it’s fabulous. Regardless, thanks partly to the lightning-fast gear shifts and torque fill from the electrical motor, this automobile feels as near an electrical automobile when it comes to acceleration as you may get with one thing powered by God’s particular liquid. Put your foot down, and it’s extra like a airplane taking off down the runway than a automobile accelerating on a street. I’ve pushed a few of the quickest EVs on the earth, and the feeling could be very related, simply with the added bonus of a improbable soundtrack.
What’s actually sensible, although, is that when you get into city and don’t need to hassle your neighbors, a fast flick of the drive-mode selector will put you in electric-only mode. It’s good for speeds as much as 87 mph, and you need to use as much as 75 p.c of the throttle earlier than the fuel motor kicks in. Meaning you may nonetheless get fairly a transfer on even if you wish to be fully silent and emissions-free. The EV mode can also be good for almost 50 miles of pure-electric vary, which is healthier than most different PHEVs available on the market, and Bentley says the entire system could be recharged in about two hours and 45 minutes. Not too shabby.
That being mentioned, when you aren’t affected person sufficient to do this, simply drive the automobile more durable in Sport mode. The powertrain makes use of sufficient regen which you could just about fill the battery all the way in which up on a single spirited drive. Very similar to Porsche, it makes use of regen by means of the brakes, relatively than having it come on mechanically. All of it works relatively seamlessly and is sensible. Bentley’s hybrid system is complicated and costly, and it’s additionally presumably the perfect within the enterprise. It higher be for what you’re paying, however we’ll get to the value in a bit. I’m nonetheless busy speaking about how brilliantly the Velocity drives.
All that energy will get transferred to all 4 wheels by means of a Porsche-sourced PDK gearbox (to my data, that is the one non-Porsche product that will get a PDK, in order that’s type of neat). The 2025 Velocity additionally comes with an digital limited-slip differential and rear-wheel steering, which is nice while you’re maneuvering across the twisty roads of the Swiss Alps as I did in three separate Contis Speeds, in each GT and convertible GTC varieties.
I’d actually like to know simply how a lot engineering assist Bentley bought from Porsche (it does share a platform with the Panamera, in any case), as a result of holy hell does this factor know learn how to get round a nook. Whether or not it’s lengthy sweepers by means of a valley or tight hairpins whereas traversing up a mountain, the Continental GT Velocity is as much as the duty. It’s virtually fully impartial with perhaps a touch of understeer on the actually tight stuff, which could be remedied relatively shortly with some extra throttle. It’s all simply so progressive. The Pirelli tires offer you ample quantities of grip and can let you realize while you’re getting a bit too near the restrict with a slight squeal. All of the whereas, the steering feels sharp and direct. There isn’t an excessive amount of street really feel, this being a luxurious grand tourer and all, nevertheless it’s nonetheless rattling good. When you’re out of the nook, you simply stomp on the fuel pedal, the engine roars and also you’re rocketed out of the exit like a rollercoaster. Hit the non-obligatory carbon ceramic brakes to haul you in such as you’ve crashed into an Alp, flip the wheel and the enjoyable begins over again.
In fact, the Continental GT Velocity is about greater than, nicely, velocity. It’s additionally about wanting good. Whereas the physique stays the identical, Bentley made some pretty substantial modifications for the Conti’s fourth era. Gone are the now-iconic quad headlights and oval tail lights. Of their place up entrance is a brand new round headlight with a “forehead” and extra rectangular taillights that stretch onto the trunk lid. The bumpers are redesigned, the grille is bigger, Bentley ditched the facet vents and there are new wheel and trim choices. To be sincere, it feels extra like a heavy refresh than an all-new era, however just like the Dodge Viper, I’m going to take the corporate at its phrase for what it considers a era. Anyway, I’m not completely positive I adore it. The general design continues to be improbable, however I don’t know. These quad headlights have been iconic to the Continental GT model, so to me it’s a little bit of a disgrace Bentley did away with them for a extra fashionable look. Hey, perhaps you prefer it extra appears to be like are subjective in any case.
The inside of the 2025 GT stays a near-total carryover from the automobile it replaces. I do know that won’t sound nice, however I promise you that it’s for the perfect. I’ve pushed a hell of loads of automobiles, and there’s an actual argument to be made that the Continental has the perfect inside available on the market. Except for the very fact it’s very well-built, the design and structure is improbable. There’s simply the correct amount of buttons, switches and knobs that complement the non-obligatory rotating “forbidden Toblerone” middle show. You’ve bought a display there for while you want it, however the second you don’t you may press a button and have three gauges seem as an alternative, and use the driving force’s gauge cluster show for main automobile capabilities. It’s the proper mix of tech and old-school luxurious. There’s nothing like utilizing a extremely nice driver-assist system whereas an analog compass tells you what route you’re headed.
Since this can be a Bentley, you received’t be shocked to search out out the inside is deeply customizable. Each single floor and materials could be specified to your liking, and meaning you may create some actually heinous specs, like one of many automobiles I drove. It was painted inexperienced and its inside was blue and orange with walnut wooden paneling. For higher or worse, it was actually a sight to behold. That being mentioned, it doesn’t actually matter the way you spec your inside — all the actual steel, wooden, lifeless cows and Alcantara will nonetheless feel and look fabulous, and that features the three-dimensional leather-based that Bentley is implementing. Mainly, it’s textured leather-based with none stitching. I don’t understand how this was executed, nevertheless it’s rattling spectacular.
I suppose now it’s time to modify gears to the disagreeable matter of value. You see, the Continental GT Velocity shouldn’t be a automobile for us. No. It’s not even a automobile for our bosses. It’s a automobile for his or her boss’s boss’s boss. The GT Velocity coupe begins at $302,100, not together with vacation spot or the fuel guzzler tax it’ll absolutely endure from. The GTC is much more cash, beginning at $332,200. However whereas these costs might sound loopy to us mere mortals, it’s truly consistent with the outgoing GT Speeds — in each coupe and convertible guise, the costs are just about the identical because the automobiles they change. That’s not one thing you see each day. We’re additionally nonetheless ready on pricing for the non-Velocity 2025 Continental GT lineup, which has but to be revealed. The 2024s stickered at about $245,000 to start out.
Let me let you know, not a single one among these automobiles will ever have a transaction value anyplace close to these numbers. Very similar to Porsche, each little factor is an non-obligatory further that Bentley patrons will fortunately pay. That Tourmaline Inexperienced GT? Buddy, that price about $380,000, and it was the most affordable one I drove. Granted, an enormous chunk of that value $39,940 to be precise) is for the First Version Specification. It will get you issues like a Naim audio system, the rotating show, an entire lot of badges, completely different lighting components and higher seats. Carbon-ceramic brakes are an additional $18,820 and that hanging inexperienced paint is over 12 grand. There have been a couple of different multi-thousand-dollar choices as nicely, nevertheless it’s not value stepping into.
Once more, that was the most affordable one I drove. The Bronze (it’s brown) GTC I drove prices about $410,000, and the Sweet Purple automobile with its $41,190 First Version spec, carbon ceramics, Blackline Specification and distinction stitching would sticker for north of $420,000. These are some critical costs for a really critical automobile. You get my level. That is an costly automobile for people who need the perfect, and the GTC is actually the perfect. Truthfully, it blows loads of its competitors straight out of the water, and it ought to. You’re paying a premium for that “B” on the hood.
Fairly often, I’ve a tough time accepting extraordinarily costly automobiles due to the oldsters who have a tendency to purchase them, however that is a type of uncommon events the place I see precisely the place the cash goes. The Continental GT Velocity justifies its value (after which some) by being second to none in relation to driving pleasure, engineering, consolation and luxurious. It might not be one thing attainable for poors like us, however rattling is it good.
In case you are somebody who has the funds to buy a Continental GT Velocity, then I implore you to take action, as a result of I can’t think about issues getting a lot better than this.
