The updated Bentley Continental GT Speed shown in the new Black Edition.
The bar continues to rise when it comes to the luxury performance market, and Bentley is determined to keep making the hurdle as it demonstrates with a new version of the Continental GT Speed.
The fastest production Bentley ever, capable of nipping 206 mph, gets not only more power but additional features, an updated interior – and a new Black Edition for those with a big enough checkbook.
“We have developed the GT Speed Black Edition to meet demand from customers for a model in the Continental line that offers both increased sporting capabilities and instantly recognizable styling cues,” says Paul Jones, Product Line Director for Continental GT. “The Black Edition has a subtle but purposeful look that is backed up by exceptional performance.”
A rear look reveals one of the special color packages available for the Black Edition.
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Bentley has come up with a steady series of performance upgrades since first introducing the GT Speed in 2007. Back then, the Speed’s twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 made 602 horsepower, getting a series of bumps through the 2014 model-year that took that to 626 hp. For 2017, it will now deliver another seven, at 633 horsepower. Torque, meanwhile, jumps to 619 pound-feet, an increase of 15.
The factory-rated 0 to 60 times dip just slightly, to 3.9 seconds, compared with the prior model’s 4-second flat launch. Top speed remains 206 mph.
As for the Continental GT Speed Black Edition, it will be offered in both coupe and convertible body styles, both distinguished by the high gloss black finish to exterior chrome trim, including both window frames and lamp bezels. The special model also uses contrasting colors to accent such exterior details as the front splitter and rear diffuser.
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A cutaway showing the interior of the new Bentley Continental GT Speed Black Edition.
The Black Edition features all-black, 21-inch five-spoke directional wheels that barely conceal unique brake calipers that can be ordered in either black or red.
Inside, the Black Edition gets a mix of carbon fiber and contrasting color accents, along with diamond quilting on the doors and Mulliner GT Design seats.
In a release, Bentley notes that even base Continental GT models take about 110 hours of handcraft to assemble, the engine alone requiring a team of 30 another 12.5 hours.
Both the upgraded Bentley Continental GT Speed and the GT Speed Black Edition are now available to order, though deliveries won’t begin until summer.
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