Bentley Continental GTC Speed: Achterbahn

After a small but painful sag with layoffs and poor numbers, things are now looking better at Bentley. This goes well with the new top model of the Bentley Continental GTC, to which the double-charged twelve-cylinder lends powerful wings. A well-known engine with 659 instead of the previously known 635 hp. “We only changed the calibration of the engine a little”, assures Series Manager Chris Cole, who is not afraid to advertise further changes in the development of the car. only available with the GT Speed. ” The platform comes from the Porsche Panamera, but the fine-tuning from Bentley. Up to 72 percent of the generous engine power is directed to the rear axle. In Comfort and Bentley mode, the engine power is transferred to both axles in a ratio of 36:64 in favor of the rear axle. It couldn’t be more sovereign.

Many small measures make it possible to get the best out of the fastest production vehicle in the 101-year history of Bentley, because chief engineer Cole and his team have also adjusted the suspension and damping control: “To maximize the rear-wheel steering and expand the sporty driving characteristics, we have changed the rack and pinion ratio and made it a little heavier and sharper compared to the standard Continental. ” Thanks to the variable damping with 48-volt roll compensation, three-chamber air suspension and an electronic rear axle differential, the open colossus achieves a level of agility that has never been seen in a Bentley road vehicle. The electronic stabilization system has a powerful electric motor in each stabilizer, which in the stiffest setting can generate up to 1,300 Nm in 0.3 seconds in order to neutralize the lateral forces and keep the body stable. Impressive not only when driving fast.

In line with the increase in performance, the braking system has been upgraded with optional carbon-silicon carbide disks, which increase the bite under load. The 44-centimeter discs on the front axle are the largest retarders installed in a production vehicle, and at the same time ensure a tighter pedal feel when things get hotter. Over the years, the open colossus has largely shed its tendency to constant understeer. Limited slip differential, roll compensation, all-wheel drive and rear-axle steering work wonders in the limit area to keep the 4.85-meter-long GTC Speed ​​on track, while the driver can hardly believe how fast it is now with a glance at the digital clocks.

But the high-tech chassis of the almost 2.5-ton four-seater from Crewe is one thing, because the heart of the Nobel Briton is the six-liter W12 twin turbo, which has a maximum torque of up to 900 Nm from almost every speed range and fires when there would be no more tomorrow. The fact that it goes from a standing start to 100 km / h in 3.6 seconds is far less impressive than the top speed of a spectacular 335 km / h. With his bursts of strength it is difficult not to be tempted, which is noticeably noticeable in the fuel consumption, which, however, no customer should be seriously interested in. Instead of the promised 14.1 liter Super per 100 kilometers, you should calculate with over 17 liters. The cylinder deactivation in partial load operation does not change this either.

The interior of the Bentley Continental GTC Speed, which costs at least 294,600 euros, is as classy as you would expect with its four leather-covered individual seats, but adults cannot sit comfortably in the rear. There are better vehicles for this – especially with the Bentley logo on the radiator grille. The number of buttons and controls is larger than on other vehicles – here the British are once again old school. Hopefully it will stay that way for a while.