Is this car Bentley’s last, glorious hurrah before the winter of economic collapse descends over the excesses of the boom years? Last week, the company said it would be closing its Crewe factory and ceasing production of both its Continental and Arnage models for seven and six weeks respectively, signalling an end to one of the most profitable periods in its history.
And yet, at the Detroit motor show last week, Bentley remained its old swaggering self as it unveiled this GTC Speed, the fastest four-seater series-production convertible on the planet. It is also the most powerful convertible the firm has ever built, and while its 200mph top speed made it look out of place among the hybrid and electric vehicles on show, when it hits the road — probably in the summer — it promises to become an instant classic.
Bentley says its current problems will not affect production of the car when it opens its customer order books tomorrow. It also offers a tip for those considering splashing out: although the car does 200mph, aerodynamics will reduce the top speed to 195mph when the roof is down.
The fastest I have been in a car with the roof down is 145mph, and that felt like an extraterrestrial was trying to Hoover me into the next dimension. At 195mph the open-top Bentley must surely replicate the experience of opening the door of a Virgin Atlantic 747 at 35,000ft.
The Bentley Continental GTC Speed is impressive not just for its power and ultimate velocity. Quite apart from that remarkable top speed, the £146,100 GTC Speed’s performance range is simply phenomenal, especially for a leather-lined monster that weighs a shade under 2.5 tonnes — nearly as much as two Audi TTs.
How phenomenal? Well, this four-wheel-drive colossus will hit 60mph in just 4.5sec, but the really stunning figure is the scant 10.6sec that the Speed needs to attain 100mph. That’s about the time it takes a Golf 1.6 to hit 60mph, and not even a Porsche 911, a Chevrolet Corvette or a BMW M3 can keep up with the big Bentley to 100mph.
This GTC is the last to join Bentley’s range of Speed models. The Continental GT Speed coupé first appeared in 2007, followed by the four-door Continental Flying Spur Speed last year. The Speed models all share a powertrain with a twin-turbo 6 litre W12 engine producing 600bhp — up from the regular car’s 552bhp. Torque is also increased, of course, to a massive 553 lb ft, and that’s what gives the Speed models such thunderous throttle response across a very wide range of speeds.
This convertible weighs 135kg more than the coupé, but I doubt this will make a humanly detectable difference to the drop-top’s performance, even though on paper it is ever so slightly slower. So expect a driving experience that will forever warp your sense of what is possible in the physical world.
To be sure of finishing ahead of the GTC Speed, you’ll need to arm yourself with a Ferrari or a Lamborghini at least. But here’s the great big, fat qualification — you’ll need to be travelling in a straight line in order to fully enjoy the Speed’s sensational thrust.
While Bentley’s engineers have done a remarkable job of making it go, even they can’t overcome the law of physics that kicks in when you throw 2,485kg of metal at a corner. This thing is way too big and heavy to be light and agile on its feet (although it’s better than it has a right to be). It’s for wafting — GTC stands for Grand Touring Convertible — and not for racing.
So it’s no sports car, even though the Speed’s suspension has been lowered slightly, giving it a more menacing profile. The anti-roll bar and damper settings have also been revised, but Bentley says this is more about achieving a nice, smooth ride than it is to do with outright handling. And those who want to enjoy that titanic thrust will be grateful that huge carbon-ceramic brakes are available — as an expensive option. Bentley says they are the largest passenger-car brakes in the world, and that will be handy for panic stops from 200mph.
Both GTC models also gain the same minor tweaks that have already been rolled out on the GT coupé. That includes a slightly more upright grille, larger lower air intakes and chrome headlamp bezels. Unique to the GTC Speed are a dark tint on the front grille and air intakes, and a discreet lip spoiler on the bootlid.
Inside, the Bentley Speed is distinguished by diamond-quilted leather seats, embroidered Bentley emblems, a chrome gearlever, drilled alloy foot-pedals, and doorsill treadplates bearing the Speed logo. Yes, it does sound a bit over the top, but if you’re into Bentleys, it’s doubtful you’re the shy, retiring type. Being able to say you’ve got the most powerful Bentley convertible ever, and that it’s also the fastest four-seater drop-top in the world is an ego-massage that’s hard to resist — recession or no recession.
Hot Wheels specs
ENGINE 5998cc, twin-turbo W12
POWER 600bhp @ 6000rpm
TORQUE 553 lb ft @ 1750-5600rpm
TRANSMISSION Six-speed automatic
FUEL/CO2 17mpg / 396g/km
ACCELERATION 0-60mph: 4.5sec
TOP SPEED 200mph
PRICE £146,100
TAX BAND G (£400 a year)
VERDICT Speed and luxury have never been this extreme
RELEASE DATE Orders taken from January 19
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