Since its debut in 2004, the Bentley Continental GT has been the rolling embodiment of comfort and prestige.
Luxurious, meticulously crafted, and effortlessly capable of making any occasion feel special, it’s no wonder this grand tourer has aged gracefully.
But Bentley has never stopped refining this British icon. And now, in its latest iteration, things have taken a rather electrifying turn.
New heart, new soul?
The headline here, of course, is the ‘demise’ of Bentley’s venerable W12 engine. The smooth, sonorous behemoth is no more, and in its place sits an all-new twin-turbocharged V8 paired with a potent electric motor.
Now, before traditionalists start waving their walking sticks, consider this: Bentley hasn’t simply swapped engines for economy’s sake; it has re-engineered the Continental GT to become the most powerful road-going Bentley ever produced.
Together, they deliver a monstrous 771bhp and an equally impressive 1,000Nm of torque. That’s enough grunt to launch this two-and-a-half tonne beast from standstill to 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds, akin to strapping rockets to your favourite Chesterfield sofa.
But it’s not merely raw power that’s noteworthy. Bentley’s engineers have been hard at work beneath the skin, fitting sophisticated chassis wizardry such as four-wheel steering, active anti-roll bars, and adaptive dampers, all in a bid to transform this luxury cruiser into a genuinely athletic GT.
And the results are striking. Gone is the nose-heavy feel of previous generations. With the hybrid’s batteries tucked neatly into the rear, the weight distribution now favours the back wheels slightly (a near-perfect 49:51 split). The car feels remarkably balanced, especially through corners, pivoting gracefully rather than reluctantly lumbering through bends like its predecessors.
Sure, it still tips the scales at over two tonnes, and you’ll never mistake it for a nimble sports coupe, but the Continental GT now dances rather elegantly for its size, showcasing Bentley’s impressive sleight-of-hand engineering.
With a 25.9kWh battery (22.0kWh usable), Bentley claims up to around 80 kilometres of pure electric driving. It’s a generous figure, though in typical city conditions, expect less. Still, it’s sufficient to handle daily commutes without waking the petrol engine.
Charging, meanwhile, is capped at 11kW AC, meaning a full charge at home takes just over two hours.
While Bentley proudly touts its incredibly low emissions (29g/km of CO2), let’s not kid ourselves here; once the petrol engine kicks in, you’ll feel every ounce of the car’s substantial mass. Environmental credentials aside, though, the hybrid powertrain blends seamlessly between electric serenity and roaring V8 performance.
Refined Cruising
Where the Continental GT truly shines is its exceptional refinement. Even at highway speeds, cabin noise remains blissfully hushed, allowing for easy conversations or simply the appreciation of Bentley’s superb audio system.
Adaptive suspension absorbs Singapore’s urban potholes and expressway expansion joints with effortless grace; comfort mode genuinely feels like gliding on a cloud.
Switching to sportier settings sharpens everything up impressively, though the Continental remains more of an indulgent cruiser than a razor-sharp sports car. It will devour highway miles with consummate ease, but it’s happiest at a pace that allows you to savour its luxurious refinement rather than attacking every apex.
It’s a shame there are currently no plans to bring in the new GTC alongside the coupe. The car was genuinely built for you to savour an open-top lifestyle.
Design evolution, not revolution
After nearly two decades, Bentley has finally ditched its signature twin-headlamp look for a sleeker, single-lamp design. It might seem minor, but this tweak has made the GT look wider and more purposeful.
Elsewhere, Bentley sensibly retained most of the original bodywork, giving the Continental GT an evolutionary rather than revolutionary appearance.
It’s a restrained update, but when your starting point was already one of the most beautiful grand tourers on the road, restraint is commendable rather than cautious.
A first-class lounge on wheels
Step inside, and it remains unmistakably Bentley – luxurious, sumptuous, and effortlessly sophisticated. Every surface you touch feels like money well spent, from the softest leather upholstery and finely polished wood veneers to the metallic switchgear that clicks with a reassuring solidity.
The rotating Toblerone-style infotainment display remains, allowing you to alternate between a high-tech touchscreen and a classic analogue dial arrangement.
Call me old-fashioned, but there’s something genuinely satisfying about watching this elegant mechanism spin around, transforming the cabin’s ambience at the simple touch of a button.
Rear-seat practicality isn’t brilliant; this is more of a luxurious 2+2 rather than a genuine four-seater. But honestly, how often do Continental GT buyers concern themselves with the practicality of ferrying adults in the back?
Boot space, on the other hand, has taken a hit thanks to the placement of the battery pack, down from 358 litres to just 260 litres.
You might not be loading your entire family’s luggage, but for a leisurely weekend getaway, it’ll manage just fine.
Better than ever, in almost every way
Losing the W12 might seem like Bentley has parted ways with part of its heritage, but the reality is that the new hybrid V8 powertrain feels fresher, more responsive, and more befitting of Bentley’s forward-looking luxury ethos.
The Continental GT remains the benchmark for grand tourers, offering supreme comfort, remarkable sophistication, and now, genuine performance agility.
Is it the most thrilling GT you can buy? Perhaps not. Cars like the Aston Martin DB12 or Ferrari Roma offer more visceral excitement. But if your idea of automotive bliss involves covering vast distances in peerless luxury, combined with seamless, effortless power delivery, few cars on earth can rival this Bentley.
Technical Specifications
Bentley Continental GT Plug-In Hybrid
Engine: 4-Litre V8, Twin-Turbocharged|
Drivetrain: All-wheel drive
Power: 771 bhp
Torque: 1000 Nm
Gearbox: 8-speed (A) DCT
0-100km/h: 3.2 seconds (claimed)
Top Speed: 335 km/h
Fuel Economy: 9.7 km/litre (claimed)
Price: POA (accurate at the time of this article)
Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)
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