News: 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Bentley has released further details about their upcoming 2013 flagship, the Continental GT Speed.  Unlike other cars that have gone the engine downsizing route, the GT Speed’s engine remain a beast – a 6.0l W12 twinturbo engine that has 616 hp at 6,000 rpm and 800 Nm of torque from 2000 – 5000 rpm to be more specific. The flagship GT will have an 8-speed ZF automatic gearbox with close ratio which propels the car from a standstill to 100 km/h in 4 seconds flat and on to a max speed of 205 mph.

You would suspect that the GT Speed will be a big fuel guzzler but it actually isn’t relatively as the engine management and turbo has been recalibrated to give optimum fuel usage. The new transmission as well as a new feature, an energy recuperation system that is incorporated into the engine also adds to the 13% improvement in fuel economy. More about the new 8-speed transmission, it is the first of its kind to ever be associated with the W12 engine. It also is durable enough to contain the engine's 800 Nm of torque and has a trick up its sleeve, it features a Block Shifting technology. What it does is it shifts from 8^th gear to 4^th gear (example) instantaneously for direct power delivery and reduce power loss. Also, their exhaust system has been redesigned to produce a sportier, more intense baritone sound during hard accelerations while keeping a quiet note when cruising.

The front suspension consists of an aluminium double wishbone while the rear has a trapezoidal multi-link configuration and the air suspension, dampers have been tuned to provide better body control. You must be wondering what trapezoidal means or may have even skipped the whole sentence but for those wondering what it means, easiest explanation: a prism like structure. The car sports a 4WD system which favours the rear in a split 60:40 delivery in power and has humungous brakes – 405 mm (front) and 335 mm (rear) ventilated, cast iron brake discs with 8-piston calipers. Well, they need it anyway as the car is still an elephant compared to the Ferrari F12 Berlinetta. If you do feel the car has been a bit too clumsy and bulky before, the new Speed has its ESP tuned for more sideways fun and a more enjoyable drive while retaining high safety precautions. Not sure how true that is till I ever get hands on this monster.

Physical looks have also been touched. For example, the exterior body has been fiddled for a more powerful look while retaining elegance. The interior gets handcrafted materials as always but now sports an 8-inch touchscreen, 30GB on-board infotainment system with satellite navigation. There is also an 8-speaker system standard in all GT Speeds while an 11-speaker Naim system is available as an option for audiophiles. Last but not least, it gets iPod connectivity too. Duh!

While I like the elegance of this car and the power it gives while retaining a comfortable environment for the driver and passenger, I wouldn’t want one. Why? Because it’s a footballer’s car, a playboy’s toy and it reminds me Paris Hilton’s pink Continental GT. In short, I’d get a yacht.