The most powerful Bentley ever, the 2025 Bentley Continental GT has arrived with all the esteem and opulence one would expect from the UK luxury brand. With a massive 575kW, and a proven top speed of 335km/h, the new Conti GT Speed was unveiled to the world’s media in one of the world’s most expensive cities, Zurich, Switzerland, where a cappuccino costs NZ$11, a can of Coke $9, and petrol $3.50 per litre.
Behind-the-scenes of Bentley's 335km/h run underwater, in Norway.
Feeling very privileged as one of the 100 guests from around the world invited to attend one day of Bentley’s two-week launch program, the new Continental GT is the brand’s premium, two door, four-seat Grand Tourer, now in its fourth-generation.
All four of those models were on hand at the event headquarters, the stunning Chedi hotel, in Andermatt, around 90 minutes north of Zurich, and close to the famous Swiss Alps, home to famous locations such as the Grindelwald and Furka Pass and Verzasca Dam, where James Bond Goldeneye was filmed.
All very regal, special and a very incredible experience, and easy to overshadow a lesser car than the Bentley Continental GT.
No chance of that, however, with 10 of the new GTs on hand, in its range-topping launch Speed spec, showcased to us across a range of colours and trim combinations, with the only major variant being the GTC Convertible version.
The GT Speed coupe generation four isn’t just the most powerful, it’s also the first to embrace hybrid technology, using a PHEV plug-in hybrid system and a 26kWh battery designed to improve economy, power and range – and of course, offer an EV driving mode for when conditions/locations require.
Its single electric motor is good for 140kW alone, and also acts as a starter motor, giving the 441kW turbo V8 a boost to its 575kW combined peak.
With an eight-speed dual-clutch auto gearbox and all-wheel drive with a tricky electronic rear limited-slip diff, the GT effortlessly blasts to 100km/h in 3.2 seconds, underlined by an all-natural, guttural thunder of the V8 that makes the Bentley simply a beast, without any need for artificial audio stimulants. Anyone who’s heard the Bentley racecar at the Bathurst 12 Hour or other GT endurance events will know how incredible it sounds.
With more torque present lower down and more linear than the previous W12 engine, the all-new hybrid V8 is a wonder: it does power, speed and sound with ease, but its dual-nature is its 2024-defining difference, able to drive up to 81km in EV mode alone. It’s also a big scavenger, able to recoup and regenerate a lot of energy through its systems when the battery charge level drops below 75%: there are four setting presets: EV, E-boost, Regen and Charge - and the GT will focus a lot of its energy on using the EV power first, staying in EV mode up to 75% throttle position. It’ll also stay in EV up to 140km/h.
External charging is via AC, up to 11kW, so perfect for a home Wallbox charger.
It’s all muted, of course, while seated within the Bentley lap of luxury. Our drive program traversed alpine passes typically seen on postcards from best roads of the world, all munched up by the Conti GT with ease.
Soft and firm is the Bentley claim, offering both supreme comfort and sharp handling, and the smooth mountain roads certainly highlighted the latter, countless hairpins putting a spotlight on both the agility of a four-wheel steering system, and the ability of the all-wheel drive system, whose balance when powering out of hairpins with big revs and big boost offering hint of power oversteer, with the assurance of all-wheel drive, all while belying its 2.5 tonne.
Four generations of Bentley Continental GT
First launching as the Bentley Arnage back in 1998 using BMW engines, the Continental GT then ran the 6.75-litre Rolls Royce engine, but with VW ownership, the 2003 Continental GT ushered in a new era, with its 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine and quad headlights.
Now with 100,000 sold, the new 2025 GT isn’t quite all new, but Bentley says the magic number is 64% new. There are three design philosophies: a resting beast, the body shape is inspired by a seated tiger, a theme backed up by the 22-inch wheels designed to mimmick tiger claws gripping into the ground.
Its Upright Elegance is inspired by a thoroughbred horse, while the Endless Bonnet highlights the powerline that flows from the bonnet through to the rear hips.
The face has two eyes and a mouth equalling a personality and expression, with its single light and eyebrows drawing focus to the exquisite crystal jewellery detailing with both the headlights and taillights, that glow red at night like molten lava, so say the Bentley reps.
The lack of rear spoiler or wing is also a key design feature, wind-tunnel tested, to maintain maximum downforce without the need for it or its garish redudancy.
Comfort is paramount and given the amount of combinations offered by the configurator, the mix of Alcantara, leather, a highlight piping colour and simply sublime stitching in our grey coupe was absolutely gorgeous, tempting you to touch the wheel and shifter as much as hold it. By the way, for those who like relish C-3PO’s odds, there are 46 billion possible combinations of customising, according to Bentley. An open case showing just some of the interior combinations was a clue to that, along with a NZ$5000+ luggage set.
Hand-crafted interiors with craftsmanship and detailing, with bright or black chrome, new patterns for the seats, sculptured quilting and colour piping all highlight the expanse of luxury and choice.
While the traditional Bentley clock is near the shifter, the driver display offers a mix of classic and modern, with information about the engine and EV regeneration in the driver display, while a new feature is Bentley’s digital detox mode: the central touchscreen display rotates with a button, James Bond numberplate-style, to either a classic three-dial side for temperature, compass and stopwatch... while holding the button for two seconds flips the screen to nothing! Merely the third side, a finish-matching blank panel to help minimise the displays and distractions. So very 1970s, in a 2024 way.
The rear seats are snug, and best for kids or, more accurately, bags and personal effects with the spouse or partner. A decent sized boot makes adventures perfect for two, ideal for ultimate front seat comfort: more than just heating, cooling and massaging, an auto mode senses the body temperature and adjusts automatically. It truly is a world-leading premium luxury interior by which others are compared.
Beauty, elegance and speed with just a taste of the good life, we can expect to see the $515k Bentley Continental GT on New Zealand streets early 2025. But if you’re a Bentley customer, chances are you already knew that and have already bespoke ordered yours. Because you are Speed.
BREAK IT DOWN
2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed (First Edition)
ENGINE: 4.0-litre V8 petrol, electric motor, PHEV
POWER: 575kW, 1000Nm (combined)
GEARBOX: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
0-100KM/H: 3.2 secs
WEIGHT: 2459kg
ECONOMY: 10.3l/100km
PRICE: $515,900
