Luxurious, meticulously crafted, and effortlessly capable of making any occasion feel special, it’s no wonder this grand tourer has aged gracefully.

But Bentley has never stopped refining this British icon. And now, in its latest iteration, things have taken a rather electrifying turn.

New heart, new soul?

The headline here, of course, is the ‘demise’ of Bentley’s venerable W12 engine. The smooth, sonorous behemoth is no more, and in its place sits an all-new twin-turbocharged V8 paired with a potent electric motor.

Now, before traditionalists start waving their walking sticks, consider this: Bentley hasn’t simply swapped engines for economy’s sake; it has re-engineered the Continental GT to become the most powerful road-going Bentley ever produced.

Together, they deliver a monstrous 771bhp and an equally impressive 1,000Nm of torque. That’s enough grunt to launch this two-and-a-half tonne beast from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds, akin to strapping rockets to your favourite Chesterfield sofa.

But it’s not merely raw power that’s noteworthy. Bentley’s engineers have been hard at work beneath the skin, fitting sophisticated chassis wizardry such as four-wheel steering, active anti-roll bars, and adaptive dampers, all in a bid to transform this luxury cruiser into a genuinely athletic GT.

And the results are striking. Gone is the nose-heavy feel of previous generations. With the hybrid’s batteries tucked neatly into the rear, the weight distribution now favours the back wheels slightly (a near-perfect 49:51 split). The car feels remarkably balanced, especially through corners, pivoting gracefully rather than reluctantly lumbering through bends like its predecessors.

Sure, it still tips the scales at over two tonnes, and you’ll never mistake it for a nimble sports coupe, but the Continental GT now dances rather elegantly for its size, showcasing Bentley’s impressive sleight-of-hand engineering.

With a 25.9kWh battery (22.0kWh usable), Bentley claims up to around 80 kilometres of pure electric driving. It’s a generous figure, though in typical city conditions, expect less. Still, it’s sufficient to handle daily commutes without waking the petrol engine.

Charging, meanwhile, is capped at 11kW AC, meaning a full charge at home takes just over two hours.

While Bentley proudly touts its incredibly low emissions (29g/km of CO2), let’s not kid ourselves here; once the petrol engine kicks in, you’ll feel every ounce of the car’s substantial mass. Environmental credentials aside, though, the hybrid powertrain blends seamlessly between electric serenity and roaring V8 performance.

Refined Cruising

Where the Continental GT truly shines is its exceptional refinement. Even at highway speeds, cabin noise remains blissfully hushed, allowing for easy conversations or simply the appreciation of Bentley’s superb audio system.

Adaptive suspension absorbs Singapore’s urban potholes and expressway expansion joints with effortless grace; comfort mode genuinely feels like gliding on a cloud.

Switching to sportier settings sharpens everything up impressively, though the Continental remains more of an indulgent cruiser than a razor-sharp sports car. It will devour highway miles with consummate ease, but it’s happiest at a pace that allows you to savour its luxurious refinement rather than attacking every apex.

It’s a shame there are currently no plans to bring in the new GTC alongside the coupe. The car was genuinely built for you to savour an open-top lifestyle.

Design evolution, not revolution

After nearly two decades, Bentley has finally ditched its signature twin-headlamp look for a sleeker, single-lamp design. It might seem minor, but this tweak has made the GT look wider and more purposeful.

Elsewhere, Bentley sensibly retained most of the original bodywork, giving the Continental GT an evolutionary rather than revolutionary appearance.

It’s a restrained update, but when your starting point was already one of the most beautiful grand tourers on the road, restraint is commendable rather than cautious.

A first-class lounge on wheels

Step inside, and it remains unmistakably Bentley – luxurious, sumptuous, and effortlessly sophisticated. Every surface you touch feels like money well spent, from the softest leather upholstery and finely polished wood veneers to the metallic switchgear that clicks with a reassuring solidity.

The rotating Toblerone-style infotainment display remains, allowing you to alternate between a high-tech touchscreen and a classic analogue dial arrangement.

Call me old-fashioned, but there’s something genuinely satisfying about watching this elegant mechanism spin around, transforming the cabin’s ambience at the simple touch of a button.

Rear-seat practicality isn’t brilliant; this is more of a luxurious 2+2 rather than a genuine four-seater. But honestly, how often do Continental GT buyers concern themselves with the practicality of ferrying adults in the back? 

Boot space, on the other hand, has taken a hit thanks to the placement of the battery pack, down from 358 litres to just 260 litres.

You might not be loading your entire family’s luggage, but for a leisurely weekend getaway, it’ll manage just fine.

Better than ever, in almost every way

Losing the W12 might seem like Bentley has parted ways with part of its heritage, but the reality is that the new hybrid V8 powertrain feels fresher, more responsive, and more befitting of Bentley’s forward-looking luxury ethos.

The Continental GT remains the benchmark for grand tourers, offering supreme comfort, remarkable sophistication, and now, genuine performance agility.

Is it the most thrilling GT you can buy? Perhaps not. Cars like the Aston Martin DB12 or Ferrari Roma offer more visceral excitement. But if your idea of automotive bliss involves covering vast distances in peerless luxury, combined with seamless, effortless power delivery, few cars on earth can rival this Bentley.

Technical Specifications

Bentley Continental GT Plug-In Hybrid

Engine: 4-Litre V8, Twin-Turbocharged|
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Power: 771 bhp
Torque: 1000 Nm
Gearbox: 8-speed (A) DCT
0-100km/h: 3.2 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 335 km/h
Fuel Economy: 9.7 km/litre (claimed)
Price: POA (accurate at the time of this article)

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

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Showcased at the exclusive W Residences’ Marina View Gallery, this fourth-generation model is the first Continental GT Speed to feature a plug-in hybrid drivetrain, pushing the envelope of performance and sustainability.

At first glance, the new Continental GT Speed retains the striking silhouette that has become its hallmark. The muscular rear haunches, inspired by the classic R-Type Continental, remain firmly in place.

However, there are subtle yet significant updates. Gone are the iconic twin headlamps, marking this as the first mainstream Bentley with single headlamps since the 1950s.  

These new headlamps feature an innovative crystal-cut diamond effect, framed by sleek “eyebrows.” The matrix LED system boasts 120 individually controlled LEDs, and Bentley describes the GT’s design as resembling a “tiger at rest”; poised, muscular, and exuding quiet determination.  

At the rear, the car forgoes a retractable spoiler thanks to an aerodynamically shaped boot lid. The three-dimensional diamond-patterned tail lamps stretch wide, creating a mesmerising molten-lava effect when illuminated.

The interior design focuses on creating a “cocooning” effect, with sculpted quilting and fading perforations accentuating the luxurious atmosphere.

For those seeking ultimate comfort, the optional Wellness Seating promises to reduce fatigue during long journeys.

The personalisation options are practically endless. With Bentley’s bespoke division, Mulliner, clients can tailor their interiors with unique leather hues, intricate stitching, and exclusive materials.

The audio experience is equally customisable, with three options ranging from a 650-watt, 10-speaker standard system to an audiophile-grade Naim system with 18 speakers and eight distinct sound modes.

To elevate the experience further, the cabin features a 30-colour ambient lighting system that highlights the contours of the seats and doors, enhancing the enveloping design.

Under the bonnet lies a twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre cross-plane V8, delivering a robust 592bhp and 800Nm of torque. But what truly sets this GT Speed apart is its hybrid system; a 187bhp electric motor paired with a 25.9kWh battery.

Combined, the system produces 771bhp and 1,000Nm of torque. Power is seamlessly delivered to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.  

The numbers are staggering: a 0-100km/h sprint in just 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 335km/h.

For those moments of serenity, the GT Speed offers an 80km range on electric power alone. Charging is straightforward too; an 11kW charger tops up the battery in 2.75 hours.  

Bentley’s Performance Active Chassis ensures the Continental GT Speed handles with grace and precision. Equipped with all-wheel drive, torque vectoring, and an electronic limited-slip differential, the car is as agile as it is powerful.

Dual-valve dampers and dual-chamber air springs provide a fine balance between sporty responsiveness and refined comfort.

The suspension’s advanced ECU independently adjusts compression and rebound damping, delivering a smooth yet engaging ride.

Bentley’s official agent, Wearnes Automotive, has already secured a handful of orders for the new Continental GT Speed.

Prices start at $1,538,000 before COE, options, or insurance. Fully loaded, the car is expected to cost around $1.9 million.

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June is set to mark a new chapter in Bentley’s storied 105-year saga with the debut of the fourth-generation Continental GT, introducing the world to Bentley’s pioneering Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain.

The new car promises an exhilarating 771hp and 1000Nm of torque, paired with an electric-only range of 80 km and commendably low CO2 emissions (under 50 g/km, WLTP). It heralds Bentley’s most dynamic and eco-friendly road car yet, marrying its illustrious heritage of handcrafted luxury with cutting-edge technology and sustainable mobility.

Active all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, four-wheel steering, an electronic Limited Slip Differential, and 48V electric active anti-roll control, all of which are accompanied by advanced dual-valve dampers. These are just some of the proposed updates.

Reflecting on the model’s legacy, the Continental GT was first introduced in 2002 and became the cornerstone of Bentley’s modern rebirth. It sparked a sales revolution, increasing Bentley’s output from about 1,000 cars annually to over 10,000 within four years.

Each iteration has carried forward the legacy of the 1952 R-Type Continental by embodying the essence of a luxury Grand Tourer designed for long-distance comfort and performance.

Bentley’s design team has drawn from this rich heritage to shape a vehicle that respects its lineage while looking firmly to the future. The new model maintains the iconic power line, haunch, and sloping roofline of its forebears, ensuring it is recognizably a Continental at first glance but revolutionised to meet contemporary aesthetic and performance standards.

With over 20 years of heritage behind it, the Continental GT has not only broken speed records but has become a mainstay in luxury automotive, embodying the grand touring experience.

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