Bentley has unveiled the 2022 Continental GT Speed and it is one heck of a screamer. The Speed features the Continental GT’s W-12 mill, but makes more power. The transmission, too, is tweaked to shift twice as quickly. These factors allow the Speed to be slightly quicker than the standard Continental GT. Apart from this, some external and internal changes make it look more aggressive and sharper. The automaker has termed it as the “most dynamic road car in Bentley’s 101-year history”, and from the looks of it, it’s hard to argue.

2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed
  • Engine/Motor: W-12
  • Horsepower: 650
  • Torque: 664
  • Transmission: Eight-speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

2022 Bentley Continental GT Exterior

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When compared to the standard Continental GT, the GT Speed looks a little sharper and bolder. The biggest differentiating factor is the use of dark tint on the grille and the air intakes on the lower part of the bumper. The sport sills are more sculpted and also receive the dark tint finish. There is a ‘Speed’ badge on the front fender to set it apart from the standard Continental GT.

The car rides on unique 22-inch Speed wheels finished in bright silver. You can have them in a black gloss- or a dark tint finish like the grille and air intakes. Apart from this, the GT Speed comes with ‘Jewel’ fuel and oil filler caps and illuminated Bentley treadplates. All-in-all, the GT Speed doesn’t look very different, but to a keen eye, there are enough elements and factors that distinguish it from the standard model.

As for the dimensions, the 2022 Continental GT Speed measures 190.9 inches in length, 86.1 inches in width, and 55.3 inches in height. It has a wheelbase of 112.2 inches and offers a cargo space of 12.6 cubic feet.

2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed dimensions

Length

190.9 inches

Width

86.1 inches

Height

55.3 inches

Wheelbase

112.2 inches

Cargo space

12.6 cubic feet


2022 Bentley Continental GT Interior

On the inside, the Bentley Continental GT Speed is as plush and luxurious as you can expect it to be. There are handcrafted materials all around that come with unique trims and badging exclusive to the 2022 GT Speed. The seats come upholstered in dual-tone, handcrafted leather and Alcantara. The same is seen on the steering wheel, too. The signature diamond-quilting comes as standard along with ‘Speed’ embroidered on the headrests.

You can opt for the center console in a new dark tint engine-turned aluminum finish. The Continental GT Speed comes with Piano Black veneer as standard, but you can choose between Crown Cut Walnut, Dark Stained Burr Walnut, and Dark Fiddleback Eucalyptus. Three open-pore veneers are available for extra moolah. As is with any high-end luxury car, the GT Speed can also be customized to your personal tastes and preferences. The automaker offers a choice of 15 primary colors of hide and 11 secondary for you to choose from. A Bentley is all about such choices, isn’t it?

On the tech front, the 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed features a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system that supports Apple CarPlay. This display can be flipped over for a simple, analog setup with veneers in case you like minimalism. It’s what Bentley calls the rotating display and it made its debut on the standard Continental GT and the Flying Spur. There is also a 650-Watt, 10-speaker audio system offered as standard. Splurging extra moolah will get you a ‘Naim for Bentley’ sound system with two shakers and 18 speakers. Stuff like Active Lane Assist, Adaptive Cruise Control, Night Vision, and a Head-Up Display come as standard.

2022 Bentley Continental GT Drivetrain

The 2022 Continental GT Speed is powered by the same 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W-12 engine that’s present under the hood of its standard counterpart. It makes 650 horses, 24 more than the standard GT, and the same 664 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all the wheels via an updated dual-clutch, eight-speed automatic transmission. Bentley says that in the Sport mode, it upshifts twice as fast as the standard W-12 model. It takes 3.5 seconds to 60 mph from a standstill, making it 0.1 seconds quicker than the GT, and has a top speed of 208 mph. This is rather impressive for a car that weighs 5,029 pounds.

As is with most of the big engines, the GT Speed also comes with a start-stop technology that supposedly maximizes efficiency. There’s also Bentley’s Variable Displacement system that shuts down six cylinders and its Intake and exhaust valves, fuel injection, and ignition, again, for efficiency purposes.

The Continental GT Speed features an advanced chassis technology harnessed specifically for this model. It comes with a new electronic all-wheel steering system that makes the ride feel nimble at legal speeds. The rear tires turn in the opposite direction to make the ride feel sharper. At high speeds, however, the rear wheels turn in the same direction as the front wheels to improve stability. Coupled with the electronic rear limited-slip differential, in what is a first for the Bentley, the GT Speed can carve corners and sprint in straight lines better than the standard GT. Bentley even goes on to say that the all-wheel-steering system is significantly more active on the GT Speed than it is on the Flying Spur.

The Bentley Continental GT Speed features a three-chamber active air suspension with adaptive damping. It also comes with a motorized 48-volt active anti-roll control system and anti-roll bar to prevent a body roll. The system can generate up to 959 pound-feet of resistance in just 0.3 seconds to counter the cornering forces and keep the body stable.

As for the braking system, the third-gen GT-based Speed features a new Carbon Ceramic brake system. It is offered as optional and comes with Carbon Silicon Carbide discs that provide additional brake bite, a firm brake pedal feel, and stronger brake fade resistance. The system comes with 10-piston calipers at the front and four-piston at the rear. Thanks to the carbon-ceramic material, the system is almost 73 pounds lighter than the conventional setup.

2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed specifications

Engine

6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W-12

Horsepower

650 HP

Torque

664 LB-FT

Transmission

dual-clutch, eight-speed automatic

0 to 60 mph

3.5 seconds

Top Speed

208 mph

Weight

5,029 pounds


2022 Bentley Continental GT Pricing

The prices for the model are not out yet, but considering the 2022 Continental GT with a V-8 starts around $210,000, the GT Speed with the W-12 engine could cost you in the ballpark of $300,000.