The 205 mph W-12 Coupe.
At the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Bentley will be introducing the fastest model the automaker has ever produced – the Continental GT Speed. The new Bentley Continental GT Speed is the new performance benchmark in the lineup and offers drivers a sense of effortless speed with dynamic handling along with a high level of luxury.
The new Bentley Continental GT Speed will have even bolder bodywork and styling cues than the original sculpted look of the standard Continental GT Coupe model. The front matrix grille wears a new dark-tinted finish for a more aggressive look and sits atop of the dark-tinted air intakes that feed the engine with cool air. The rear oval-shaped tailpipes are adorned with a special “rifled” interior pattern that resembles that of a rifled gun barrel.
But it’s what lies underneath the hood of the new Continental GT Speed that really matters. Churning out a massive 616 bhp at 6,000 RPM and 590 lb-ft. of torque is an upgraded 6.0-liter, 48-valve, quad-cam, W-12 engine fed by two turbochargers. All of that power is fed through at ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox with quick, unnoticeable shifts, and help to achieve 12 percent better overall emissions and fuel economy. With all four-wheels grabbing the road thanks to the Torsen differential, the super coupe is able to sprint to 60 mph in just four-seconds flat and reach a top speed of 205 mph, making it the fastest production Bentley ever made.
But the Bentley Continental GT Speed isn’t just about straight-line speed. The British automaker has taken steps to create a more dynamic chassis. Bentley lowered and stiffened the suspension, and retuned the steering for more precise handling characteristics. The Continental GT Speed will be available with 21-inch, ten-spoke Speed wheels in two different finishes and fitted with 275/35/R21 Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance tires.
The interior of the Continental GT Speed will come standard with the exclusive Mulliner Driving Specification for a refined cockpit that oozes craftsmanship.
“For nearly a decade, the Bentley Continental GT has defined high luxury, high performance grand touring and the unique W12 engine has been so successful that Bentley is now the world’s largest producer of 12-cylinder engines,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive. “The new GT Speed with its harder-edged, sportier character reaffirms this pinnacle positioning and continues to broaden the worldwide appeal of the Continental coupe.”
The Bentley Continental GT Speed will make its public debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from June 28th to July 1st where a pre-production model will be driven by Juha Kankunnen, Guy Smith and Derek Bell up the Goodwood Hill two times each day. Customers can currently place their orders for the new Bentley at dealerships around the world with deliveries starting in October of 2012.
Bentley Continental GT Speed Specifications
Engine:
Displacement: 6.0-liters
Number of Cylinders: W-12
Aspiration: Twin-turbocharged
Maximum Horsepower: 616 bhp (625 PS) at 6,000 RPM
Maximum Torque: 590 lb-ft. (800 Nm)
Transmission:
Type: ZF eight-speed automatic
Drive: All-wheel with Torsen differential
Wheels and Tires:
Wheels: 21-inch Speed wheels with two available finishes
Tires: Pirelli PZero ultra-high performance
Tire Size: 275/35/R21
Performance:
Acceleration 0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds
Acceleration 0-62 mph: 4.2 seconds
Top Speed: 205 mph (329 km/h)
Bentley Continental GT Speed Gallery
Source: Bentley
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