Newtechfresh | Consumer Electronics Guide: BENTLEY CONTINENTAL

Bentley has announced styling enhancements and more power for the Continental GT Speed. In addition to the new model year car, Bentley'sGeneva Motor Show booth will also include luxury tailored packages for the Continental family.

The flagship model of the Continental range, the Continental GT Speed, gets even more power for 2014, with the 6.0-liter W12 engine boosted by 10hp and 20Nm to 626hp (635PS) and 820 Nm (605 lb-ft) of torque. The GT Speed coupe remains the fastest production Bentley ever, with a top speed of 206 mph (331 km/h), while the convertible can reach 203 mph (327 km/h).

The Continental GT Speed also gains styling upgrades that include a sharper front splitter, discrete side skirts and a rear diffuser, all finished to match the exterior paint color for the first time. The 21-inch Speed wheels get a dark tint finish, as do the headlights and taillights. Exterior modifications are completed with red-painted brake callipers and a chrome “Speed” badge fitted to the front fenders. A new paint called Candy Red is also available.

The dark monotone interior of the GT Speed gets a completely new color split with accent stripes in a contrasting color applied across the doors, rear panels, fascia wings, inner console and gear lever. Matching contrasting stitching is also offered, as is a chrome “Speed” badge on the passenger side fascia panel.

Alongside the updated Speed models, the entire Continental family is available with seven distinct packages that include various options: Premier Specification, Interior Style Specification, GT Classic Specification, All-Seasons Specification, Mulliner Driving Specification, GT V8 S Sport Specification and Classic Mulliner Styling Specification. Deliveries of the new Continental family models begin in the summer.

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While Bentley recently expanded the range of the Continental downwards with the presentation of the entry-level V8 model, it's also taking care of those that feel the need for speed with the introduction of a new performance flagship.

The new Continental GT Speed coupe features a host of mechanical and to a much lesser extent, styling upgrades, the most important of which are hidden under the hood.

The key to the existence of the Continental GT Speed is an up-rated version of the 6-litre twin turbocharged W12 engine that gains 49hp and 74 lb-ft over the regular model developing a total of 616hp (625PS) at 6,000 rpm and 590 lb-ft (800Nm) of peak torque.

The 0-60 mph sprint comes after 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2 seconds) and the GT Speed has a maximum velocity of 205 mph (330 km/h), which gives it the title of the fastest series production model in the history of Bentley.

However, Bentley engineers didn't stop there as the all-wheel-drive GT Speed sports a new 8-speed automatic ZF transmission with close-ratio gears, which not only allows for faster gear changes, but according to Bentley, also helps improve fuel economy and CO2 emissions by as much as 12 percent.

The chassis has been tweaked as well with uprated steering and suspension systems and a lowered ride height, while the car rides on bespoke 21-inch alloy wheels, available in two finishes, and fitted with 275/35 R21 Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance tires.

Other than the new alloys, the GT Speed sports a dark-tinted matrix front grille and lower air intakes and a ‘rifled’ finish to the exhaust tailpipes, while the interior of the coupe gains the Mulliner Driving Specification as standard as well as a number of signature Speed design cues.

Bentley will be taking a pre-production GT Speed to the Goodwill Festival of Speed from June 28 to July 1, while sales will commence in October 2012.

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