Bentley is more than willing to suffice for the request delivering the fastest land-yacht with two doors yet with the introduction of their new 2013 Continental GT Speed. The all-new 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed does not appear to have many changes just by the looks alone but you would be mistaken.
What lies behind that large mesh grill is a refined 12-cylinder engine fitting to propel the mammoth-sized luxury sports coupe to exotic-car speeds while offering up lavish interior appointments. The new 2013 Continental GT Speed is Bentley’s fastest production car ever with a 616 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine.
The new Bentley Continental GT Speed, rolling on unique 21-inch wheels shod in 275/35R21 Pirelli PZero tires, is destined for a top speed of 205 mph and dash to 60 mph from a standstill in 4 seconds flat. To get to such a high speed, the Continental GT Speed permanently directs power to all four wheels through a close-ratio ZF 8-speed automatic transmission and benefits from lowered uprated suspension for better handling.
The 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed will make its debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed. Orders for the new 2013 Continental GT Speed are currently being taken with the first cars delivered as early as October of this year.
2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Press Release
BENTLEY LAUNCHES ITS FASTEST PRODUCTION MODEL EVER – THE NEW CONTINENTAL GT SPEED
– International debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2012
– 616hp, 590 lb-ft of torque (625PS, 800 Nm) and capable of 205mph (329km/h)
– Lowered, uprated suspension for a sportier stance and harder-edged, agile Bentley driving experience
– Signature Speed design cues and Mulliner Driving Specification cabin
– New close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission(Crewe, England. 20 June 2012). Bentley is introducing a new performance flagship, its fastest production model ever, the Continental GT Speed coupe. The new 205 mph (329km/h) GT Speed will appeal to driving enthusiasts who place a high value on outright performance, agile handling, distinctive design and sporting luxury. Orders for the new GT Speed are being taken now, with deliveries to commence in October 2012.
At the heart of the new Continental GT Speed is an uprated version of the unique Bentley 6-litre, 48-valve, four-cam, twin turbocharged W12 engine. For the new model, the legendary Bentley W12 develops 625 PS (616 bhp/460 kW) at 6000 rev/min and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque to deliver thunderous, supercar performance with effortless overtaking capability. The 0-60 mph sprint is dispatched in a mere 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2s) and on to a top speed of 205 mph (329 km/h).
The new Speed’s immense power is transmitted via a close-ratio, ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. This state-of-the-art transmission delivers quick yet imperceptible gear changes through intelligent adaptive control software to ensure the perfect combination of speed and refinement. The new gearbox also makes a significant contribution to an overall twelve per cent improvement in fuel economy and CO2 emissions.
Channelling the extreme performance of the GT Speed is a unique chassis tune that includes uprated steering and suspension systems and a lowered ride height. The enhanced chassis is complemented by unique 21-inch Speed wheels, available in two lustrous finishes, and fitted with 275 35 R21 Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance tyres. The result is a sportier and more engaging Bentley driving experience with tauter handling and improved agility.
Commenting on the new GT Speed, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive says:
“For nearly a decade, the Bentley Continental GT has defined high luxury, high performance grand touring and the unique W-12 engine has been so successful that Bentley is now the world’s largest producer of 12-cylinder engines. The new GT Speed, with its harder-edged, sportier character, reaffirms this pinnacle positioning and continues to broaden the worldwide appeal of the Continental coupe.”
The muscular, elegantly sculpted coachwork of the Continental coupe is subtly enhanced with design touches which reinforce the sporting character of the new model. Most notable are the dark-tinted matrix front grille and lower air intakes and the ‘rifled’ finish to the exhaust tailpipes.
The new GT Speed delivers supreme levels of performance with no compromise in comfort, refinement, craftsmanship and quality. Using only the finest natural materials, the hand-crafted cabin of the GT Speed features the Mulliner Driving Specification as standard as well as a number of signature Speed design cues that combine contemporary luxury with a distinctly sporting character.
Standard fitment on all Continental models, the permanent all-wheel drive system, employing a central Torsen differential, harnesses the prodigious power and torque of the new GT Speed and ensures huge levels of grip and stability whatever the road or weather conditions.
Ahead of deliveries this autumn, the GT Speed makes its international debut at the prestigious Goodwood Festival of Speed from 29th June until 1st July. Modern-day Bentley Boys Juha Kankunnen, Guy Smith and Derek Bell will pilot a pre-production GT Speed up the Goodwood Hill twice a day.
