Bentley Continental GT Pace overview – purchase one 782 PS/1,000 Nm V8 bruiser, free one silent EV cruiser


Within the period of EVs, a 0-100 km/h time of under 4 seconds isn’t just commonplace, it may be bought for effectively under RM200k. Such ranges of propulsion was once the protect of European exotics; now, a small hatchback from China can do the benchmark dash in 3.8 seconds – energy and velocity has been democratised by electrical motors.

Thankfully for the institution, uncooked velocity alone doesn’t make a fantastic automotive. There are various methods to go quick – the way you get there, the sensations you are feeling whereas getting there, and the ‘I’m already there’ satisfaction whenever you personal the automotive and admire it from afar, are all important.

The previous-generation Bentley Continental GT ticked all these bins. This new additionally does all of it, after which some. The largest change to what was already a successful mixture improves on the GT’s largest energy and distinctive high quality – its duality.

Bentley Continental GT Speed review – buy one 782 PS/1,000 Nm V8 bruiser, free one silent EV cruiser

It’s a departure from the norm {that a} new Bentley mannequin is making its debut in high-performance Pace kind. Sometimes, the common variants floor first, earlier than the efficiency flagship crowns the vary at a later date. This time, the Pace leads the road for the fourth-generation Continental GT from kick-off. Likewise, the GTC convertible was once fashionably late, however now you may select between coupe and mushy prime at launch.

There’s loads new in regards to the Continental GT Pace, however the largest information is that it’s now a plug-in hybrid using on a recent 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 gasoline injection strain (from 200 bar), it supplies 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 could be switched off solely when the electrical motor is working.

Bentley Continental GT Speed review – buy one 782 PS/1,000 Nm V8 bruiser, free one silent EV cruiser

The V8’s clean associate 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 additional smoothness. The motor is juiced by a 25.9 kWh battery mounted behind the rear axle, which places extra weight on the again for a 49:51 distribution – a ratio that Crewe says is ideal.

The GT comes alive silently, and the system manages vitality circulate based mostly on the mode chosen – pure EV, electrical enhance, regenerative braking and cost mode, the place the engine drives the wheels and expenses the battery on the identical time. Plugged-in, the max AC charging fee is 11 kW and the pack could be totally replenished in beneath three hours.

Apart from blessing the Continental GT Pace with 81 km (WLTP) of pure electrical drive – good in city areas – the e-motor brings whole system output to 782 PS and 1,000 Nm. In comparison with the outgoing W12-powered GT Pace, that’s 19% extra energy (from 659 PS) and 11% extra torque (from 900 Nm), making this automotive probably the most highly effective Bentley ever, surpassing even the second-generation Supersports and Mulliner’s Batur.

Bentley Continental GT Speed review – buy one 782 PS/1,000 Nm V8 bruiser, free one silent EV cruiser

It didn’t take lengthy for the GT’s hybrid-derived enhancements to return to the fore. The Asia Pacific launch was held on the Magarigawa Membership in Chiba, Japan, and the circuit’s pit constructing is a ‘home’ with lounge seating flanking the street. It’s an enclosed house, however there have been no fumes and noise because the automobiles glided out and in, due to EV mode. In actual fact, it was serene sufficient for the product presentation to be carried out roadside as completely different teams swapped automobiles.

The non-public members-only membership’s 3.5 km course is just gorgeous. Magarigawa seems to be cradled by the hills of the southern tip of the Boso Peninsula (they lopped off a hill’s head for this) and the Tilke-designed circuit is a mix of lengthy straights and clusters of technical corners.

Drama is equipped by the elevation – with a most ascent of 20% (max descent of 16%), you’ll discover blind crests (uphill and nothing in your view apart from the solar) instantly adopted by a bend, or the pits. The monitor’s two straights are parallel however on completely different ranges. It’s spectacular, however could possibly be intimidating for first-timers with 1,000 Nm on faucet.

Maybe that’s why the lead automotive was conservative, however I managed to present the Pace the beans on the straights after hanging again within the convoy. Acceleration is monumental but easy, as contradicting because it sounds. I’ve all the time most well-liked the sharper fringe of Crewe’s V8 versus the W12, and there’s a pleasant deep accompanying soundtrack right here, which by the best way, isn’t artificially enhanced.

It’s confounding that the brand new Pace can dismiss the 0-100 km/h dash in a mere 3.2 seconds (4 tenths quicker than the earlier W12 Pace), and if you happen to hold at it, the needle will attain 335 km/h – these are supercar figures in an enormous GT that has each possible luxurious and have, with an inside swathed in leather-based and wooden, let’s not neglect.

All that energy is delivered by way of 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 way of a centre differential, and precision vectoring throughout every axle itself utilizing the brakes. Additionally included are all-wheel steering, Bentley Dynamic Journey lively anti-roll, new dual-valve dampers and dual-chamber air springs. The ESC could be totally turned off.

Bentley Continental GT Speed review – buy one 782 PS/1,000 Nm V8 bruiser, free one silent EV cruiser

No such shenanigans on the occasion after all, and in any case, this author’s means/bravery isn’t any match to the Bentley’s huge AWD grip. It won’t appear to be that kind of automotive, however if you happen to method the GT such as you would a smaller sports activities automotive, you’ll uncover shocking agility and a physics-defying lively anti-roll system, identical to within the earlier Pace.

Nice energy wants even better 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. From chasing 300 km/h to slowing down for a hairpin, that is {hardware} you may belief.

Crewe says that with the newest GT, consolation mode is much more snug, and sport mode has even higher physique management than earlier than. There’s no solution to check out experience consolation on a clean circuit, however the earlier Pace’s air suspension was already all-absorbing, so we’ll take Bentley’s phrase for it.

One factor that I actually needed to check out was how usable the EV mode is, and the reply could be very. Full electrical mode could be deployed at speeds of up 140 km/h, with throttle functions of as much as 75%, so it’s greater than sufficient for regular, even freeway driving. My calm down lap was ICE-free.

This Bentley’s on-road capabilities are jaw-dropping, nevertheless it’s additionally a deal with for the senses when static. The fashionable Continental GT is the automotive that saved the corporate, a fantastic success for Crewe over the previous three generations. Becoming then, that the newest GT is an evolution of the design, which carries three design facets seen on the long-lasting R-Sort Continental of 1952.

Bentley’s designers identified to us the massive two-door’s ‘resting beast’ stance. They had been visualising a tiger at relaxation – an imposing beast sitting calm, however able to unleash huge pressure when it decides to pounce. The thought is manifested within the GT’s well-defined haunches.

Bentley Continental GT Speed review – buy one 782 PS/1,000 Nm V8 bruiser, free one silent EV cruiser

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 ‘infinite 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 then). Peak kind.

An evolutionary design wants a headlining recent aspect, lest or not 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 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 reduce diamond impact and the bottom of the housing has an illuminated sample. The precise matrix headlamps have 120 separate LEDs which might be digitally managed to cowl… effectively, all the pieces.

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 supply 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 Pace 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 standard structure with fashionable tech. Whereas there appears to be a bodily button or knob for all the pieces essential, all of the capabilities are additionally housed within the infotainment system, so it’s the very best of each worlds.

The colony of buttons across the gear lever does look a bit austere given how elevated all the pieces else feels, however legibility is nice and there’s no reflection from the flat, matte floor. Above all, I’m simply grateful that turning on seat air flow doesn’t require a ahead lean and 5 faucets on the display.

Bentley Continental GT Speed review – buy one 782 PS/1,000 Nm V8 bruiser, free one silent EV cruiser

This distinctive ana-digi method is personified by the Bentley Rotating Show, which remains to be cool in any case these years. The three-sided show encompasses 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 alter and auto local weather capabilities, and a brand new ‘Darkish Chrome’ theme for the brightwork.

Bentley’s partnership with Naim continues within the new Continental GT, and the top-tier sound system is a 2,200W, 18-speaker setup with Lively Bass Transducers constructed into the entrance seats and eight sound modes. In any other case, you may 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.

Bentley Continental GT Speed review – buy one 782 PS/1,000 Nm V8 bruiser, free one silent EV cruiser

Lastly, the aircon system now contains air ionisers, a brand new particulate matter filter and shows displaying air high quality inside and outdoors the automotive. The HVAC additionally synchronises with the automotive’s sat-nav, so it is aware of when it may be obligatory to enhance cabin air high quality; robotically recirculating air when in a tunnel, as an example.

Is the brand new Bentley Continental GT Pace the very best automotive on this planet then? Not if you happen to like your mega cash two-door automotive loud, actually and visually. In the event you gravitate extra in direction of opulence, the Pace is pretty much as good because it will get. We’re speaking about luxurious and craftsmanship that maybe solely two marques can supply, fused with efficiency to match supercars and extra dynamic means than most drivers will ever want.

Nevertheless, the 1% have a good bit of glittering equipment jostling for his or her consideration, and in a world obsessive about new issues, might the GT’s acquainted seems to be be a downside? I hope that’s not the case – as a result of what’s beneath is groundbreaking – however I’d perceive if some mistake this automotive for a facelift of a era that has been round since 2018. Not that there was something mistaken with that automotive, thoughts you.

Bentley Continental GT Speed review – buy one 782 PS/1,000 Nm V8 bruiser, free one silent EV cruiser

If emissions laws is the proverbial lemon, Bentley’s first PHEV is a bloody good lemonade. The 81 km pure electrical vary permits one to make use of the GT as an EV for many city conditions, the place electrical automobiles excel in. Give it some thought – house owners of automobiles on this bracket aren’t salesmen hustling round city, or employees with a each day commute from the suburbs.

A extra seemingly journey is from Damansara Heights to KLGCC for golf (10 km return, calculated from Aira on Batai) or maybe tea and buying at Pavilion/Starhill (lower than 20 km return). Lunch assembly to conclude a deal at BSC? 2.5 km away, sir. Shuffle your automotive playing cards round and also you’ll even neglect the final time you visited the petrol station! After all, you may get up the V8 every time the roads open up.

A Tesla for going to the outlets? Why not simply purchase an attractive, luxurious Bentley and get a complimentary EV with that very same lovely, luxurious physique and cabin?

The brand new Continental GT Pace can be arriving at Bentley Kuala Lumpur in Q2 2025

GALLERY: 2025 Bentley Continental GT Pace, GTC Pace APAC launch

GALLERY: 2025 Bentley Continental GT Pace, GTC Pace official photos

Seeking to promote your automotive? Promote it with Carro.

<!–

 

–>

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *