Within the period of EVs, a 0-100 km/h time of beneath 4 seconds isn’t just commonplace, it may be bought for effectively beneath 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 an amazing automobile. There are lots of methods to go quick – the way you get there, the sensations you’re feeling whereas getting there, and the ‘I’m already there’ satisfaction once you personal the automobile 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 most important change to what was already a profitable mixture improves on the GT’s largest power and distinctive high quality – its duality.
It’s a departure from the norm {that a} new Bentley mannequin is making its debut in high-performance Velocity kind. Sometimes, 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-generation Continental GT from kick-off. Likewise, the GTC convertible was once fashionably late, however now you may select between coupe and delicate high at launch.
There’s loads new concerning the Continental GT Velocity, however the largest 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 gasoline injection stress (from 200 bar), it gives 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 not want for cylinder deactivation {hardware}, because the ICE could be switched off solely when the electrical motor is operating.
The V8’s easy associate in crime is a 190 PS/450 Nm electrical motor that resides within the transmission housing. Able to powering the large 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 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 power movement based mostly on the mode chosen – pure EV, electrical increase, regenerative braking and cost mode, the place the engine drives the wheels and costs the battery on the similar time. Plugged-in, the max AC charging fee is 11 kW and the pack could be totally replenished in underneath three hours.
Apart from blessing the Continental GT Velocity with 81 km (WLTP) of pure electrical drive – excellent 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.
It didn’t take lengthy for the GT’s hybrid-derived enhancements to come back 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 highway. It’s an enclosed house, however there have been no fumes and noise because the vehicles glided out and in, due to EV mode. In truth, it was serene sufficient for the product presentation to be carried out roadside as completely different teams swapped vehicles.
The personal members-only membership’s 3.5 km course is solely beautiful. 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 mixture 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 aside 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 might be intimidating for first-timers with 1,000 Nm on faucet.
Maybe that’s why the lead automobile was conservative, however I managed to offer the Velocity 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 Velocity can dismiss the 0-100 km/h dash in a mere 3.2 seconds (4 tenths quicker than the earlier W12 Velocity), and when you maintain at it, the needle will attain 335 km/h – these are supercar figures in a giant GT that has each conceivable luxurious and have, with an inside swathed in leather-based and wooden, let’s not overlook.
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 energetic 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 energetic anti-roll, new dual-valve dampers and dual-chamber air springs. The ESC could be totally turned off.
No such shenanigans on the occasion in fact, and in any case, this author’s means/bravery isn’t any match to the Bentley’s huge AWD grip. It may not seem like that form of automobile, however when you method the GT such as you would a smaller sports activities automobile, you’ll uncover shocking agility and a physics-defying energetic anti-roll system, identical to within the earlier Velocity.
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 choice 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 comfy, and sport mode has even higher physique management than earlier than. There’s no solution to take a look at out experience consolation on a easy circuit, however the earlier Velocity’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 quiet down lap was ICE-free.
This Bentley’s on-road capabilities are jaw-dropping, but it surely’s additionally a deal with for the senses when static. The trendy Continental GT is the automobile that saved the corporate, an amazing success for Crewe over the previous three generations. Becoming then, that the newest GT is an evolution of the design, which carries three design features seen on the long-lasting R-Kind Continental of 1952.
Bentley’s designers identified to us the large two-door’s ‘resting beast’ stance. They have been visualising a tiger at relaxation – an impressive beast sitting calm, however able to unleash huge drive when it decides to pounce. The concept is manifested within the GT’s well-defined haunches.
The following focal point is ‘upright magnificence’, 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 ‘countless 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 received the proportions spot on with the third-generation GT (wheelbase grew by 105 mm then). Peak kind.
An evolutionary design wants a headlining contemporary component, 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 can 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 Velocity will get a brand new 22-inch wheel choice with a robust directional design. The designers say that the spokes are like tiger claws digging into the highway.
The cockpit of the Continental GT (and Flying Spur limo) is my favorite within the ultra-luxury phase, combining a standard format with trendy tech. Whereas there appears to be a bodily button or knob for all the pieces necessary, all of the capabilities are additionally housed within the infotainment system, so it’s one of the 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 sweet 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.
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 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), non-compulsory ‘wellness’ seating with postural regulate 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 normal 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 air conditioning 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 is perhaps essential to enhance cabin air high quality; mechanically recirculating air when in a tunnel, as an illustration.
Is the brand new Bentley Continental GT Velocity one of the best automobile on the earth then? Not when you like your mega cash two-door automobile loud, actually and visually. If you happen to gravitate extra in the direction of opulence, the Velocity is nearly 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 appears to be like be a disadvantage? I hope that’s not the case – as a result of what’s beneath is groundbreaking – however I’d perceive if some mistake this automobile for a facelift of a era that has been round since 2018. Not that there was something mistaken with that automobile, thoughts you.
If emissions rules 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 vehicles excel in. Give it some thought – homeowners of vehicles on this bracket aren’t salesmen hustling round city, or employees with a each day commute from the suburbs.
A extra doubtless journey is from Damansara Heights to KLGCC for golf (10 km return, calculated from Aira on Batai) or maybe tea and procuring at Pavilion/Starhill (lower than 20 km return). Lunch assembly to conclude a deal at BSC? 2.5 km away, sir. Shuffle your automobile playing cards round and also you’ll even overlook the final time you visited the petrol station! After all, you may get up the V8 each time the roads open up.
A Tesla for going to the outlets? Why not simply purchase an exquisite, luxurious Bentley and get a complimentary EV with that very same lovely, luxurious physique and cabin?
The brand new Continental GT Velocity can be arriving at Bentley Kuala Lumpur in Q2 2025
GALLERY: 2025 Bentley Continental GT Velocity, GTC Velocity APAC launch
GALLERY: 2025 Bentley Continental GT Velocity, GTC Velocity official photos
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