Test: Bentley Continental GT Speed

It was in the late 1920s that Bentley produced its first Speed ​​Six, which won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1929 and 1930. The term was unearthed at Le Mans in the early 2000s, before being attached to a production car, the first Continental GT coupe. In 2017, the second generation of the best-seller from the Crewe (England) brand celebrated its end of career with a 710 hp Supersports livery. Overpowered, this special series was unfortunately very disorderly when driving fast. As the current model enters the second part of its commercial career, Bentley has made a point of offering an ultimate, balanced and truly sporty version.

The Continental GT Speed, whose W12 “only” goes from 625 to 649 hp, is presented as the most dynamic road-going Bentley ever produced. The British manufacturer considered, with common sense, that before adding power to a 2,3 tonne car, it was preferable to work on the chassis rather than on the mapping.

Many promises

With sufficient power and truck torque (900 Nm), the challenge was to make this large coupe more agile, and to forget its weight while maintaining the excellent level of comfort that characterizes it. On this third generation, in 2018 the question of adopting a directional rear axle arose. The choice of such a system would have made it possible to significantly increase the agility which was somewhat lacking in this elegant two-door. But Bentley had indicated that with “ already three times more lines of code in this car than in an Airbus », il convenait d’être patient. Le temps a fait son ouvrage, et aujourd’hui cette cousine technique de la Porsche Panamera nous arrive plus affûtée que jamais.

The GT Speed ​​sports not only a directional rear axle, but also three-chamber controlled air suspensions, an electronically managed rear differential, and anti-roll bars equipped with small electric motors which can deliver a force of 1300 Nm in 0 "3 in order to control cash movements. On paper, it's impressive. But what's it like on the road?

Quite a confusing experience

Let's quickly move on to the ostentatious luxury of the cabin, but let's still highlight the quality of the materials and assembly of this haute couture cabin. Let's also note the somewhat vintage spirit of certain controls, which respond to an established classicism and certainly to the codes of these cars like no other. With your foot on the brake, pressing the Start button wakes up the W12. Very smoothly, the noble 6.0 liters emits the perfect noise for this type of car. The first sharp accelerations highlight the whistle of the two turbos. In Comfort or Bentley modes, the mechanics continue to purr, although there is no shortage of power. By switching to Sport mode, the exhausts are released and the gearbox becomes more responsive: gear changes are announced twice as quickly as in other settings.

The time has now come to carry out the first Launch Control, since we have been praised for its merits. Left foot on the brake, right foot fully on the accelerator, the engine speed is high enough to achieve a great start. Sensitive souls refrain, and provide space in front, far in front. At full load, the body sinks into the seat, the horizon jumps in the face, but we don't cut the gas. It is time to see who will capitulate first. However, unless we are on an airstrip, the exercise is impossible to complete... Once we have recovered from our emotions, we look for a suitable place to check the dynamic behavior of this version announced as very fast (3 »6 for 0-100 km/h, 335 km/h peak), but above all as offering a unique experience in terms of handling. It is then that the route takes us into the Sicilian countryside, with roads in average condition, but of sufficient width.

Gas, brake, gas…

As we discover the machine's capabilities in increasing numbers, we see, unsurprisingly, that the engine is up to the task, and that the chassis follows suit. The steering, rather consistent, easily takes you towards the apex. The car does not suffer too much from mass transfers, thanks to the chassis control (differential and anti-roll bars) which acts discreetly. We lose our bearings a little, because the suspensions do such a filtration job that we feel isolated from the road, or even from the outside world in this luxurious universe. It is also necessary to reason, because the suppression of sensations involves adding them again and again. A glance at the meter, however, brings back reason. At first, we thought that a slightly more extreme mode would have been welcome. But it would have been of no use, especially since the ESP is completely disconnectable.

Like a grasshopper, the GT Speed ​​jumps from turn to turn with great ease, within the limits of the laws of physics. The go-around is rather well managed, we always exit the most delicate turns cleanly, and we don't hesitate to stay at full throttle until the next braking. Because with the largest carbon-ceramic brakes in the world – 440 mm and 10 pistons at the front! – the slowdown phases are of rare power and regularity. If this Bentley was a hybrid, the kinetic energy thus released would allow it to regain a kilometer of autonomy each time it brakes! The GT Speed ​​is the only car in this category that can go this fast and brake this hard while maintaining a peaceful interior ambiance and such a high level of comfort. Bluffing.

VERDICT

This Speed ​​version is both exceptional and disturbing, because it is a perfect chameleon. It can transform itself into a rolling lounge as well as into a thunderous sports car, incredibly protecting its occupants. Bentley says it's its sportiest road car, and that's undoubtedly the truth. Note that the machine also exists as a convertible, and that it offers the same qualities, hair in the wind.