Bentley Continental GT Speed

The original Bentley Continental took car technology to the next level and the new GT Speed carries the same mechanicals. The W12 engine is a classic example of superb engineering and it is essentially an engine with two banks of six cylinders in offset rows. And, this is also the most powerful Bentley to be made as the power has been boosted from 552 to 600bhp.

Additional changes include a new engine management system, a revised crankcase to reduce pumping losses, light weight single chains to drive four camshafts and new pistons. However, figures and power aside, it is the way the GT Speed drives that makes this car truly special and the most practical supercar you can get for your valuable money.

Once inside, you realise the super, high-end exclusivity of owing a Bentley. The interiors are classy with leather and walnut veneer. There is barely any plastic used and the diamond-quilted hide seats with the embroidered Bentley emblem only reaffirm the exclusivity of having such a car.

The engine is responsive on the move and the six-speed auto box shuttles seamlessly between cogs with a finesse you don’t associate with sports cars which only adds to the GT Speed’s driveable nature.

The GT Speed’s ability to mask speed is possibly second to none and this is what makes it a true Grand Tourer.

You can cruise effortlessly gulping a kilometre every 15 seconds and not realise it. On small pieces of broken tarmac that I encountered, the low-speed ride was also good, a factor that is important for India. In fact, I drove over these ‘India-spec’ roads several times. Sharp edges reveal the GT Speed’s hard edge and you can feel the suspension getting a workout. But with a little careful driving and help from the newly developed low-friction dampers, the GT Speed can conquer Mumbai’s potholes.

The GT Speed will be available from next month and costs no less than Rs. 2.13 crore, which is Rs. 23 lakh more than the original GT. While the GT Speed might provide you with exclusivity and speed unmatched by any other car, we still would advise you to go in for the original version that was updated as both cars have pretty much the same features.