The 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed is a sports car, luxury car, grand touring car, and supercar rolled into one opulent rolling work of art. The intersection of everyday ultimate comfort and truly impressive driving performance is where this car lands on the automotive spectrum. If you want an everyday special car that isn’t as flashy as a red Ferrari, common as a 911, or as unrefined as a Challenger SRT Hellcat, but can keep up with all of them in terms of performance, then the new Continental GT Speed is the car for you.
The “Speed” edition of the Bentley Continental is the pinnacle of performance and sporty interior opulence. This new 2022 Continental GT Speed is the third-generation of the model first introduced back in 2007. The car is handcrafted in Bentley’s carbon-neutral factory in Crewe, England, and expected to come in around the $300,000 mark when it arrives on U.S. shores in the Fall of this year.
A Sharper Tool
The Speed model has always been the top performer. For 2022 Bentley has sharpened its cutting edge grand tourer more still. A combination of electronic all-wheel steering, active air suspension with adaptive damping, and an active anti-roll control system all combine to create a car that will no doubt make its way around corners with precision and a nimble feel unbefitting its heft. An active all-wheel-drive system (which in Sport mode offers a rear-biased torque split) and a new electronic rear differential make sure that engine power is put to the ground with confidence in all conditions.
Power comes from a refined twin-turbo 6.0L W12 engine that puts out 650 hp and 644 lb.-ft. of torque. An extremely quick (twice as fast as the standard Continental GT) 8-speed dual-clutch transmission gets that power to the tires. The 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed has a top speed of 208 mph and hits 60 from a standstill in just 3.5 seconds. While insanely impressive, those numbers are just one-tenth of a second faster to 60 with just 24 hp more output than the outgoing Continental GT Speed.
To stop the big heavy powerful grand tourer Bentley now uses carbon-ceramic brakes in the Speed. For 2022 new 10-piston front and 4-piston rear calibers are used. The new lightweight and extreme performance brake disks reduce weight by nearly 73-pounds, of un-sprung weight.
Outside The 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed
On the outside the Continental GT still has the big gorgeous lines it’s had for a few years now. The 2022 Speed model gets a Dark Tint grille and lower bumper guard, sport sills, and a classy “Speed” badge on each front fender.
The real telltale that this car is even more special than a ‘standard’ Bentley Continental GT are the gorgeous new 22-inch Speed wheels.
Inside The 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed
Inside this opulent speed machine is a full unique Diamond in Diamond quilted and duo-tone interior. There is Alcantara and leather everywhere you’re eyes can gaze, with 15 main color and 11 secondary color options to choose from. The headrests have embroidered “Speed” logos, while the passenger side of the dash and both door sills (which are illuminated) get Speed badging as well.
In the few places where there aren’t soft-touch materials inside this car you can choose between piano black, carbon, or a variety of all wood accents. The new option for the 2022 car is a dark tint engine turned aluminum finish on the center console.
