Can the Bentley GT Continental be made even better? Should it be done? Yes, it can be done. And quite well at that, as the latest generation of the GT Speed proves. To find out what is really new, all you need to do is take a good close look. If you still don’t see it: it’s the headlights. And a few other things as well.

Quick, what comes to mind when you think of the year 1959? Nothing at all? Okay, then here’s a brief summary: Fidel Castro seized power in Cuba, Ritchie Valens, Buddy Holly and The Big Bopper died in a plane crash, Mattel introduced the first Barbie doll, and Günter Grass published The Tin Drum. But something else was special sixty-five years ago as well: Bentley introduced the S2, its last production car with single ­headlights. Until now. The recently unveiled Continental GT Speed has two instead of four sources of light at the front (LEDs, of course, because these are modern times). Some may yawn and ask, “So what?” But in automotive design, this kind of disruption in form is indeed revolutionary. Readers of a certain age might remember the outcry in 1991 when the two round headlights on the VW Golf III were replaced by square ones. The situation is similar with the Continental GT, which, alongside the Bentayga SUV, is the manufacturer’s second biggest seller.

With the fourth generation of the Continental GT – refresher: “GT” stands for Grand Tourer, and Bentley’s convertibles always bear the abbreviation GTC – the designers finally decided to focus more on the sporty exterior. The predecessor models of the Continental were more sedan than comfortable sports car. But now everything is different: the convertible’s silhouette evokes a lurking tiger about to pounce. The proportions, the lines, the transitions are all just right. The design reveals what the new ­Continental is capable of and what it delivers. The top speed is 285 km/h (the coupe can even reach 335 km/h) and sufficiently justifies the suffix “Speed”, emblazoned on both sides of the new car. Bentley fans will of course know that “Speed” alludes to the models of the manufacturer’s founding years.

Speaking of fans, the best chance of seeing the new GT Continental in Germany is probably in Bavaria. English footballer Harry Kane, who is under contract with Bayern Munich, has been driving nothing but Bentleys for years. Otherwise, we recommend a trip to London. After all, Bentley is still a purveyor to the British royal family.

Text: Martin Trockner
Photos: Marko Knab for ramp.pictures

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