Don’t expect radical reboots or spaceship aesthetics. Bentley knows its clientele, so instead of chasing fads, the latest Continental GT and Flying Spur models double down on what makes the brand iconic.

The Continental GT looks like it’s been on a tailored diet; sleeker, tauter, with cleaner lines that speak of wind tunnel sessions and Savile Row finesse.

The Flying Spur, on the other hand, continues to be the road-going equivalent of a five-star suite: elegant, stately, and with enough presence to make lesser limousines bow out quietly.

Bentley’s range of Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, and Flying Spur models has now doubled with the addition of a second V8 plug-in hybrid option, dubbed the High Performance Hybrid, with an output of 680 PS and 930 Nm. This engine is offered across all body styles in a choice of new core or new Azure variants.

Though the Ultra Performance Hybrid of the Speed remains the most extreme powertrain in Bentley’s range, it is significant that the new High Performance Hybrid outperforms the previous generation’s W12 Speed powertrain on all power, torque, and performance parameters, whilst also being capable of up to 80 km in pure electric mode.

What’s new is Bentley’s “Advanced Chassis System”, now standard across the range. That includes Bentley Dynamic Ride, a 48V active anti-roll control system that keeps things flat. Couple that with all-wheel steering and torque vectoring, and you’ve got a grand tourer that’s surprisingly nimble for its size.

And yet, it never loses that hallmark waft; the effortless surge of torque, the hushed cabin silence, the slight growl that says, “Yes, I’ve arrived.”

Inside, it’s a familiar symphony of leather, metal, and wood veneers, now paired with Bentley’s latest infotainment suite. You get crisp displays, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a fully digital driver’s cluster that still manages to feel analogue in its charm.

What’s perhaps most impressive is that Bentley’s retained physical controls for most essential functions. There are new customisation options too. Want open-pore Koa wood or deep pile overmats made from sustainable wool? You got it.

As Chris Craft, Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing at Bentley Motors, aptly puts it: “This new range encapsulates our vision of luxury performance for the future.”

In a world where many premium brands are trying to be everything to everyone, Bentley doubles down on being quintessentially Bentley. Quiet confidence, timeless craftsmanship, and the kind of performance that feels less like a sprint and more like a statement.

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Today marks the end of an era for Bentley Motors in the Asia Pacific region, as they bid farewell to the venerable 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine that has been the beating heart of the Continental GT, Continental GTC, and Flying Spur model lines.

The shift is part of Bentley’s ambitious Beyond100 strategy, steering towards a future where every model line will feature a hybrid variant by 2024.

The journey towards electrification reflects a rising demand for more sustainable luxury vehicles, as seen with the popularity of the Bentayga and Flying Spur Hybrid models.

Introduced back in 2012, the 4.0-litre V8 engine quickly became synonymous with Bentley’s blend of luxury and performance, powering more than 53,000 vehicles across the Continental and Flying Spur ranges.

Crafted meticulously by hand in Bentley’s Crewe headquarters, each V8 engine improved efficiency and reduced emissions compared to its predecessors.

Today’s V8s boast a robust 542 bhp and a hefty 770 Nm of torque, available from as low as 2,000 rpm, sustaining this output to 4,500 rpm.

While the V8 will continue to roar within the Bentayga lineup, the final V8-powered Continental GT, GTC, and Flying Spur models are making their last bow in markets including Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

With production wrapping up and final deliveries scheduled for June, this transition honours a legacy of performance that has defined the brand for nearly a decade.

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