We like
We don’t like
Range at a glance
ROAD TEST
Multimedia system
Track notes
Testers’ notes
ROAD TEST
• Does big outright pace with luxury-level silken smoothness
• W12 engine has only qualified performance appeal
★★★★☆
Bentley ought to congratulate itself on getting the GT Speed within a tenth of its big rival from Aston Martin around MIRA’s narrow and punishing dry handling circuit, especially given that the car gives up plenty to the DBS on power-to-weight ratio.
No 5554
• Handling is better balanced and more adjustable than that of any other Bentley
• Long cruising legs blunt performance a little in higher gears
TRANSMISSIONS
• Carbonfibre sills are standard for the GT Speed and look great carrying the Bentley crest just below where you climb aboard. Darkened grilles, special badging and matching carbonfibre bumper trim are also included.
Bentley’s 12.3in touchscreen infotainment system looks and works very much like the one you get in a Porsche Panamera, but it’s hard to fault for usability. There’s a small scroll wheel and plenty of physical menu shortcut keys for those who don’t like to prod away at a screen; and for those who do, the column navigation on the right margin of the screen works well, too.
The GT Speed simply rockets out of second- and third-gear corners once it’s on boost. It takes a little attitude under power with the electronics dialled back and begins to handle a bit untidily when you really press it, and it takes experience to know when and where it’s best to correct the car’s angle and line yourself and when to leave that job to the active systems.
ILLYA
PHOTOGRAPHY WILL WILLIAMS
• Remains an uncompromising and opulent luxury operator
• Considerable weight and the tuning of the active systems take an edge off its driver appeal
8-spd dual-clutch automatic
The rotating display feature is optional and not cheap (£4865). But that’s because the screen is replaced by a line of classic dials when it’s folded away (compass, outside thermometer, stopwatch). It consists of more than 150 parts, it works near silently and it fits beautifully into the dashboard. It also had to be engineered to be able to flip around and display the image from the reversing camera within two seconds of the driver selecting reverse gear (a legal requirement in some markets). Moreover, simply being able to fold the screen away when you know where you’re going, or don’t want distractions from the outside world, really does feel like luxury.
You find your way, though.
VERPRAET
MODEL TESTED SPEED
The introduction of the new GT Speed spells the end of the regular W12-engined GT, which keeps the two-door Continental derivative line from swelling too much. The Mulliner Edition cars, meanwhile, build on the Continental’s luxury ambience with special design details and materials. As is now familiar, Bentley’s optional ‘Specification’ packages (Mulliner Driving, Touring, Styling, Continental Blackline etc) become key de-facto trim levels, which are likely to affect the residual values of your car, so some are worth having.
• Test car’s black-trimmed headlights, wing vents, window trim, exhaust pipes and door handles came as part of optional Continental Blackline Specification (£3315). Goes well with the carbonfibre trim but won’t necessarily complement every body colour.
The car’s considerable weight can certainly be felt under braking, however, and when turning in.