British carmaker Bentley has taken the covers off of its new Continental GT Speed. Here are all the details, plus its expected arrival time in South Africa.

The Bentley Continental GT is not a slow vehicle by any stretch of the imagination, but the Speed derivative adds a bit more power, but some extensive work has been done to increase its handling skillset.For the first time in a Bentley, the latest generation of the Continental GT Speed hasan electronic rear differential (eLSD), and the4-wheel steering has been enhanced for better cornering capability.The electronics have been recalibrated to make the stylish coupe more agile.

Under the bonnet, the twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 gets a power boost, with outputs now sitting at 485 kW and 900 Nm. The standard car features 467 kW and 900 Nm. The new Continental GT Speed is said to sprint to 100 kph in a claimed 3.6 seconds, 0.1 seconds quicker than before and it will reach a top speed of 335 kph, which is again a bit faster than the standard car. Bentley claims its 8-speed gearbox has been retuned to deliver faster gearshifts, as well as more responsive downshifts.

If you're worried about coming to a stop from these lofty speeds, Bentley will offer you a carbon-ceramic braking packagethat's lighter than the standard setup. But given the clientele, we suspect owners will be more interested in the comfort and the new Continental GT features active air suspension. The vehicle rides on 22-inch Speed wheels.

Inside the cabin, Bentley prides itself on its customisation packages and options, but as you can see here, there's a carbon-fibre intensive theme with excessive amounts of Alcantara and gorgeous quilted leather.

Visually, you'll be able to spot the new model with its darker radiator grille, bumper, subtle Speed badging, and model-specific wheels. The all-new Bentley Continental GT Speed will be hitting South African showrooms in the 4th quarter of 2021. Pricing will be announced closer to the time.

Further Reading

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