Bentley Continental GT Speed - Oh, yes please!

Now I have to confess I am a big Bentley fan. Yes, even those Rolls-Royce, badge engineered Bentleys I find appealing. But my favourite modern-day Bentley has been the Arnage (with the V8, not the BMW engine). Not the ‘T’ mind you; that never really worked for me. But I think I’m about to get a new favourite!

Bentley have introduced the Bentley Continental GT Speed, which for me is the car the Continental should have been. I was always a little disappointed with the Continental. I had high hopes for it at first - the first non-Rolls Bentley for an age. On the face of it VW did everything right. It looks like a Bentley, inside and out, and it had a clear and defined style (even though it was designed by a Belgian!). But I felt a little underwhelmed when I drove it. It cruises well, the cabin is a nice place to be, and it is very quick for such a big car. But it never felt sharp. It never felt how I imagined a ‘Real’ Bentley should feel. But that’s all changed now, and I want one!

The Speed badge has always denoted the fastest Bentley (well, since it was first used in the early 1920s), but it’s not been used for a while. But now it has, and the Speed can wear it with pride. On the face of it the performance figures on the new Speed seem only slightly up on its sibling (202mph and 0-62mph in 4.3seconds), but it feels so different. It’s crisp; it’s sharp; it’s wonderful! That nose-heavy feeling when you turn in has all but gone. The exhaust has learnt how to sing. The engine feels alive, and it all works so well together.

Prices for the Speed start at around £137,00 (before you start adding extras like ceramic brakes at £10,000!), so it’s a fair bit more expensive than the standard GT. But it is a very much better car, and I have no doubt it will end up being a bigger seller than the standard GT. And so it should. Now I’m looking forward to a full road test in the very near future, instead of just a drive. But they may have to send out the bounty hunters if they want it back!