Review: Bentley Continental GT

This big bruiser trades a dozen cylinders for a smaller hybrid motor – and still delivers the theatre millionaires expect.

Goodbye 12-cylinders, hello electric motor. The big banger Brit Bentley Continental GT has become a luxe-packed plug-in.

But shed not a tear into your cup o’ tea. This is no full EV, but a hyper hybrid coupe with muscled twin-turbo V8 petrol for theatre, then given an electrified shove up the backside with a 140kW/450Nm e-motor.

Let’s be clear. Bentley’s not saving the planet with this $581,900 GT Speed plug-in hybrid. It’s simply using electrification to bring more excess to all areas.

2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed. Photo: Supplied

On paper it’s way more economical and emits less carbon than the old ‘W12’ engine, keeping government regulators happy; if slightly deceived.

You see, this two-door GT Speed weighs over 2.5-tonnes with a skinny driver on board, making it as lardy as a giant Ford F-150 pick-up. Bentley may have the Royal seal of approval, but probably not Attenborough’s.

Yet as I engage Sport mode, paddle shift down a few gears and see almost 240km/h displayed at our Tokyo hilltop private track, this weight problem is brushed off with typical English stiff upper lippery.

2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed. Photo: Supplied

‘Heavy, am I?’ it asks, then reminds the V8-electric combo delivers 575kW and 1000Nm (!) in unison, pulls the car to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds, and tops out at 335 km/h, or well over 200mph. Blimey.

Bentley’s Continental GT has always been the benchmark grand tourer, but this new Ultra Performance Hybrid – the most powerful production Bentley ever – thoroughly breaks new ground.

Being a track only test, we couldn’t evaluate the claimed 81 km pure electric range. But the hefty 25.9kWh battery gives it a chance, and as average daily commutes are under 40 km, zero emissions city driving awaits.

EV-only mode well suits this 22-inch wheeled palace. It’s serenely silent as you waft along in quilted, perforated and sculpted seats which adjust 20 ways.

The Bentley Continental GT is a $581,900 plug-in hybrid. Picture: Supplied

The cabin smells a million bucks – a choice blend of real leather and deep pile carpet – while there’s a general loveliness to all you touch and see: knurled metal dials, analogue clock, climate control organ stops and 007-like rotating 12.3-inch touchscreen.

But you can spend more. Bentley’s coachbuilding artisans Mulliner offer upgrades from a ‘limitless palette’, be it colours, trims, details or goodies like drinks cabinets.

Mulliner’s brochure shows marvellous things like real stone dashboard panels, then horrors like pink carpets and turquoise seats. Really.

The ‘normal’ GT Speed is already the range topper, ahead of cheaper models (with the same drive train) set to follow. Reckon on $620,000 drive-away before optional extras, while a convertible GTC version is some $60k dearer.

Bentley’s GT Speed plug-in hybrid is mean and green. Picture: Supplied

If you’re financially well-endowed, it’s worth it. The GT Speed’s a gorgeous looker with muscular haunches, and – fun fact – the first single headlamp Bentley since 1959.

Back to the drive. It’ll run on battery only up to 140 km/h or 75 per cent throttle, and in Comfort the ride quality on fancy twin-chamber air springs and with active anti-roll is dreamy.

That’s the GT bit, now for the Speed. There’s sophistication to match its mad acceleration, with four-wheel steering, electronic differential and – thanks to the lighter V8 and rear-mount batteries – a 49:51 rear-biased weight distribution. The 12-cylinder had no chance there.

On tight sections of our track, control from this brute is staggering.

Bentley’s Continental GT is also available as a convertible. Picture: Supplied

Of course it’s not agile like a little sports car, but the handling, balance and big brute playfulness – accompanied by a popping, glorious V8 soundtrack – is utterly addictive.

Speed comes way too easily. There’s no vulgar seat-pinning here, but assured, big engine pull on lengthy straights to realise bonkers speeds. If only funds allowed, there’s surely no finer way to cross the Alps – Europe’s or Australia’s.

When playtime’s over, one of the staff can plug this GT Speed into a domestic socket and, in 8.5 hours, there’s 81 km of range once more.

But if that’s too much like hard work, fear not. The petrol-gulping V8 can charge the battery at the touch of button, reminding again that planet saving’s not really the plan here.

VERDICT

Mad money, mad weight, but has the smarts, luxury and versatility to claim the title of world’s best GT.

4 stars

BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT SPEED VITALS

PRICE Around $620,000 drive-away

ENGINE 4.0-litre eight-cylinder turbo-petrol plug-in hybrid, 575kW/1000 Nm (combined)

THIRST 10.3L/100km

WARRANTY/SERVICE 3 years/unlimited km, service prices TBA

SAFETY Auto emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane guidance, lane departure warning, 3D surround view, blind spot monitor

LUGGAGE 260 litres

SPARE Repair kit

Originally published as Review: Bentley Continental GT