The Continental GT Speed, Flaunting the Apex Of Bentley’s Engineering

Engineering of the new Continental GT Speed epitomises the very pinnacle of performance grand touring, and it benchmarks the most dynamic road-going Bentley to date.

Dissecting at the overall build, its new frame provides the GT Speed with a level of agility, performance and ride quality that has been revved to new levels.

Flaunting an unrivalled prowess, both the GT Speed Coupe and Convertible harbours a build that combines four highly advanced new chassis technologies.

Resulting in its formidable foundation, the Bentley Dynamic Ride system paired to a three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping plays a significant factor in the car’s overall balance.

Also, the newly-developed Carbon Ceramic Brakes, Variable Electronic Stability Control, All Wheel Steering and an Electronic Limited Slip Differential boost the performance even further.

Despite combining these new systems, the Continental GT Speed still preserves Bentley’s philosophy in which a vehicle should feel progressive and secure yet still be dynamic.

Case in point, to achieve this notion while in BENTLEY and COMFORT mode, the overall grip is balanced between the front and rear wheels.

However, the GT Speed has been calibrated with a more rear-biased torque-split in all driving scenarios when in SPORT mode.

Inspecting deeper, the aforesaid new carbon-ceramic braking system boasts 440 mm diameter front discs that are merged with new ten-piston front callipers. 

Thus, making this the biggest brake ever fitted to a Bentley and the largest car brake in the world.

This latest carbon-ceramic disc has been specially formulated to provide class-leading braking performance with copper-free brake friction material for reduced environmental impact. 

Moreover, the new brake system offers a weight saving of 33 kg, and notably, this is unsprung weight, which lowers inertia and gives the vehicle more responsive handling.

As for the Variable Electronic Stability Control (ESC), it allows the driver to experience an even greater level of freedom before the GT Speed’s safety systems intervene to correct any anomalies.

Upon triggering the system, the vehicle provides reassuring stability over uneven surfaces, abnormal curvatures, or in intemperate weather conditions.

Besides that, switching to Dynamic mode, the ESC system extends the driver’s freedom, allowing the experienced pilot to set and alter the cornering stance of the car at their discretion.

Then, with the ESC switched off, the mechanical grip and inherent balance of the GT Speed takes over, allowing a driver-focused experience previously only seen in Bentley’s racing machines.

Meanwhile, the new Electronic All-Wheel Steering increases the dynamic nature of the GT Speed in each of the driving modes.

Particularly in SPORT mode, the steering combines with Bentley Dynamic Ride, and the electronic limited-slip differential provides a level of agility, unlike any other Bentley production car.

Further, at low and medium speeds, the GT Speed’s rear wheels are steered in the opposite ways to the front wheels to aid a rapid change of direction, all to increase the feeling of nimbleness.

Hence, making the steering feel sharper. Plus, with a quicker ratio and an adequate increase in steering feel, it provides the driver with even more confidence behind the wheel.

Alternatively, at high speed, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front, thereby improving stability.

Said system is significantly more active on the GT Speed than on the Flying Spur, where its primary purpose is to reduce the turning circle and improve high-speed stability.

Equally important, for the first time in a Bentley, the latest generation of the Continental GT Speed debuts the use of an Electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD).

Custom-tuned, the Electronic Limited Slip Differential has been calibrated hand-in-hand with the traction control and active chassis systems.

Thereby making the eLSD to provide increased lateral capacity, improved longitudinal stability, enhanced on-throttle adjustability, and delivers better traction in adverse road conditions.

Effective in all modes, it provides greater confidence for the driver and makes the vehicle feel more stable speeding down the asphalt.

For instance, under SPORT mode, the eLSD has been tuned to balance on- and off-throttle adjustability, improved turn-in response and increased straight-line performance. 

Combining these two benefits the Continental GT Speed with more adjustable and more driver-focused handling than ever before without compromising comfort or stability.    

Apart from improving the cornering dynamics, the extra grip provided by the new systems allows the driver to exit any corner with an increased level of precision and confidence. 

In turn, the vehicle can extract the maximum performance from the available traction to deliver stunning acceleration and composure from the apex. 

Additionally, the torque distribution flow can vary across the powertrain according to the selected Drive Mode. 

Such as in COMFORT and BENTLEY, the system can send up to 36% of torque to the front axle to keep the car sure-footed and effortless. 

Furthermore, it will also counter any oversteering by applying up to 400 Nm of torque output to the front wheels.

Conversely, in SPORT mode, the system caps the available torque to the front axles at 28%, to maintain a higher torque level at the rear axle and allow for a more dynamic feel. 

With that, the system also responds very differently to oversteer, only sending approximately one out of ten of the torque to counter, as Bentley Mode and thus providing an increased performance feel.

Clearly, with a top speed of 335 km/h, 0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds, the Continental GT Speed Coupe and Convertible exhibits a profound equilibrium of dynamic performance and luxurious ride comfort.