The fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT is about to reach at Bentley Kuala Lumpur within the second quarter of 2025. The newest era of Crewe’s grand tourer was first introduced in June, and manufacturing of probably the most highly effective road-going Bentley ever began on September 16, which is the birthday of founder Walter Owen Bentley.
It’s a departure from the norm {that a} new Bentley mannequin is making its debut in high-performance Velocity kind. Usually, the common variants floor first, earlier than the efficiency flagship crowns the vary at a later date. This time, the Velocity leads the road for the fourth-gen Continental GT from kick-off. Equally, the GTC convertible often arrives later, however now you’ll be able to select between the coupe or the delicate high at launch.
There’s loads new in regards to the Continental GT Velocity, however the greatest information is that it’s now a plug-in hybrid driving on a contemporary 400-volt electrical structure. On the coronary heart of the ‘Extremely Efficiency Hybrid’ powertrain is a 4.0-litre V8 engine with 600 PS and 800 Nm of torque. The ICE isn’t a carryover – with no conventional vacuum system and 350 bar gas injection strain (from 200 bar), it offers cleaner combustion and improved emissions.
Now that it has an electrical motor to cancel out turbo lag, the engine makes use of twin single-scroll turbochargers, which reduces complexity and permits them to run hotter, minimising emissions. Additionally, there’s now not want for cylinder deactivation {hardware}, because the ICE may be switched off totally when the electrical motor is operating.
The V8’s clean accomplice in crime is a 190 PS/450 Nm electrical motor that resides within the transmission housing. Able to powering the massive GT by itself, the e-motor additionally delivers torque-fill at low engine velocity and through gear shifts for further smoothness. The motor is juiced by a 25.9 kWh battery mounted behind the rear axle, which brings weight distribution to 49:51, which Crewe says is ideal.
The GT comes alive silently, and the system manages power stream primarily based on the mode chosen – pure EV, electrical enhance, regenerative braking and cost mode, the place the engine drives the wheels and prices the battery on the identical time. Full electrical mode may be deployed at speeds of up 140 km/h, with throttle functions of as much as 75%. The max AC charging price is 11 kW and the pack may be absolutely replenished in underneath three hours.
Apart from blessing the Continental GT Velocity with 81 km (WLTP) of pure electrical drive – good in city areas – the e-motor brings complete system output to 782 PS and 1,000 Nm. In comparison with the outgoing W12-powered GT Velocity, that’s 19% extra energy (from 659 PS) and 11% extra torque (from 900 Nm), making this automobile probably the most highly effective Bentley ever, surpassing even the second-generation Supersports and Mulliner’s Batur.
The 0-100 km/h dash is dispatched in 3.2 seconds (4 tenths sooner than the earlier W12 Velocity), and for those who maintain at it, Vmax is 335 km/h – these are supercar figures in a giant GT that has each conceivable luxurious and have, with an inside coated in leather-based and wooden, let’s not neglect.
All that energy is delivered through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission and an digital restricted slip differential to all 4 wheels. The system makes use of front-rear lively torque vectoring by means of a centre differential, and precision vectoring throughout every axle itself utilizing the brakes. Additionally included are all-wheel steering, Bentley Dynamic Experience lively anti-roll and new dual-valve dampers and dual-chamber air springs. The ESC may be absolutely turned off.
Nice energy wants even higher stopping energy and the GT makes use of 10-piston entrance calipers and four-piston rears. The usual ventilated iron brakes are 420 mm in entrance and 380 mm on the rear, and there’s a Carbon-Silicon-Carbide possibility with 440 mm entrance discs and 410 mm rears. Crewe says that with the most recent GT, consolation mode is much more comfy, and sport mode has even higher physique management than earlier than, which once more – let’s not neglect – was already physics-defying.
The fashionable Continental GT is the automobile that saved Bentley, an important success for Crewe over the previous three generations. Becoming then, that the most recent GT is an evolution of the design, which carries three design points seen on the long-lasting R-Kind Continental of 1952.
On the new Continental GT’s latest Asia Pacific launch held on the gorgeous Magarigawa Membership in Chiba, Japan, Bentley’s designers identified to us the massive two-door’s ‘resting beast’ stance. They have been visualising a tiger at relaxation – an imposing beast sitting calm, however able to unleash large pressure when it decides to pounce. The concept is manifested within the GT’s well-defined haunches.
The following focal point is ‘upright class’, which describes the vertical entrance finish of the GT. Like a thoroughbred horse, we’re advised. This proud chest pairs completely with the Bentley’s ‘limitless bonnet’. Seen from the facet, the lengthy hood hints on the high-performance engine residing inside. Whereas these cues have been on all Continental GTs, they’re stronger than ever now, and Crewe acquired the proportions spot on with the third-generation GT (wheelbase grew by 105 mm). Peak kind.
An evolutionary design wants a headlining contemporary factor, lest it’s confused for a facelift. That new factor is the headlamp design – gone are the dual circles and in comes a single eye on all sides, the primary mainstream Bentley with single headlamps because the Nineteen Fifties. Automobile guys will level to the Bacalar, however that’s a 12-unit coachbuilt particular by Bentley Mulliner.
That single eye is pierced by a horizontal LED ‘eyebrow’ for a particular gaze. Go nearer and also you’ll see that the headlamps are like artwork sculptures – the higher portion has a deep crystal lower diamond impact and the bottom of the housing has an illuminated sample. The precise matrix headlamps have 120 separate LEDs which are digitally managed to cowl… every part.
The rear is a nip/tuck with a redesigned bumper, taillights, tail pipes and boot lid. The latter incorporates an built-in aerodynamic kind to offer rear downforce with out the necessity for a deployable spoiler, and the bumper emphasises the appreciable width of the GT whereas being cleaner. Collectively, they mix for a neater look. Lastly, the Velocity will get a brand new 22-inch wheel possibility with a powerful directional design. The designers say that the spokes are like tiger claws digging into the street.
The cockpit of the Continental GT (and Flying Spur limo) is my favorite within the ultra-luxury phase, combining a conventional format with fashionable tech. Whereas there appears to be a bodily button or knob for every part vital, all of the features are additionally housed within the infotainment system, so it’s one of the best of each worlds.
This distinctive ana-digi strategy is personified by the Bentley Rotating Show, which continues to be cool in spite of everything these years. The three-sided show incorporates a 12.3-inch show, three classical analogue dials, and an unbroken facet of handcrafted veneer that matches the remainder of the trim. The three faces swivel on the contact of a button.
New for this era are a ‘precision quilt sample’ on the seats and doorways (these with an eye fixed for element will marvel on the sculptured quilting, fading perforations and the brand new quilt embroidery), optionally available ‘wellness’ seating with postural modify and auto local weather features, and a brand new ‘Darkish Chrome’ theme for the brightwork.
Bentley’s partnership with Naim continues within the new Continental GT, and the highest rung sound system is a 2,200W, 18-speaker setup with Energetic Bass Transducers constructed into the entrance seats and eight sound modes. In any other case, you’ll be able to have the 650W 10-speaker commonplace system or a Bang & Olufsen 1,500W 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles. As earlier than, laminated acoustic glass is used for the windscreen and facet home windows for a nine-decibel discount in exterior noise.
Lastly, the aircon system now consists of air ionisers, a brand new particulate matter filter and shows displaying air high quality inside and outdoors the automobile. The HVAC additionally synchronises with the automobile’s sat-nav, so it is aware of when it may be mandatory to enhance cabin air high quality; robotically recirculating air when in a tunnel, as an example.
As talked about within the opener, the Velocity efficiency flagship is main the road for the fourth-generation Continental GT vary, with different fashions to return (the luxury-focused Mulliner was introduced final month). Additionally breaking custom is the supply of the GTC open-top mannequin from launch. The brand new Continental GT Velocity might be arriving at Bentley Kuala Lumpur within the second quarter of 2025.
GALLERY: 2025 Bentley Continental GT Velocity, GTC Velocity APAC launch
GALLERY: 2025 Bentley Continental GT Velocity, GTC Velocity official photographs
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