Bentley has recently introduced the 2025 "Conti" showstopper: the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT Speed! After 21 years of delivering high-speed luxury, this supercar is back and ready to impress. Imagine a car that's not only a robust speed machine but also wraps you in comfort – your trusty daily driver by day and your go-to getaway chariot by night!
Bentley also recently invited us to take this beauty on a scenic jaunt through the Swiss Alps, where we got our hands on the new hybrid V8 model. The little sleepy town Andermatt near Zurich is undoubtedly one of the most scenic places, with beautiful winding roads against a snow-capped mountain backdrop. It is a ski town, and we were all hosted in the Chedi Andermatt, where a night in non-peak season costs over INR 2 lakhs, which is draped in luxury complementing and gearing up well with a mindset to drive and test the INR 6.5 crore + Bentley Continental GT we were about to step in. This sleek ride has officially bid farewell to the W12 to play nice with current emission standards. Weighing in at a hefty 2.5 tons, it still manages to be an eco-champ, emitting just 29 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
Now, let's talk headlights! Bentley has ditched its iconic double headlights for futuristic single LED matrix headlamps in a bold move. This makeover is the most significant redesign of the Continental GT in two decades and the first time a mainstream Bentley has sported single headlamps since the fabulous '50s! It's a retro-severe revival. The new GT can rocket from 0 to 100 kmph in a jaw-dropping 3.2 seconds. Under the hood, the hybrid V8 delivers an exhilarating 771 bhp and a staggering 1,000 Nm of torque, proving that you don't need the W12 to make a statement.
While we await news on a non-hybrid version, the competition is fierce, with contenders like the Aston Martin DB 12, Ferrari Roma, McLaren GT, and Porsche 911 all vying for attention. Yet, the 2025 Continental GT shines brightly, blending power, luxury, and handling into an unforgettable driving experience.
Verdict
It might be a little overpriced, especially for the Indian Market, and the real fun is the GTC; the C is the convertible part. The extreme weather conditions and the pollution levels will make it an early morning drive or late night. The driving experience is fantastic and better than the W12 version it's replacing. It's a perfect gentleman's car with all the naughty DNA if it chooses to do so. Only a handful will appreciate the low tailpipe emissions, and the bragging rights of a 6-litre W12 are much bigger than the V8, though the drive and handling are far superior now than ever for the Conti GT. The specifications and luxury perfectly align for a car that is not intended for everyone. With a starting price of Rs 6.5 crore, excluding options and taxes, it remains an exclusive realm for the truly successful.
Driving the new Bentley Continental GT through the breathtaking Swiss Alps is nothing short of exhilarating, especially when you unleash its full potential around those hairpins. This beauty has waved goodbye to the understeering issues of its predecessor [ its W12 version], boasting improved weight distribution and a nifty rear steering mechanism that makes it feel like the car is gliding under you. With its eLSD (electronic Limited Slip Differential) doing the heavy lifting, the additional grip ensures you stay rooted and in control, even when the roads get tricky. Flick it into Sport mode, and it's like turbocharging your cornering skills, letting you gun it out of turns with the precision of a pro—it's like your tyres just got a grip on the road with a touch of Fevicol. Though it tips the scales at around 2,300 kg, operating this beast is surprisingly light and nimble. The steering is refreshingly accurate and inspires confidence, coupled with an impressive throttle response that juggles power from the electric motor and the roaring V8. And if you've ever thought Bentley's brakes weren't up to the mark, think again; the new models bite back with a sharper, more precise feel.
Overall, the Continental GT is as agile as a seasoned Bollywood hero on screen. You may feel its weight during hard braking and tight turns, but its balanced handling lets you focus on the thrill and enjoy the ride without a thought. Occasionally, you might reminisce about the deep rumble of the W12 engine, perfect for cruising serenely. But the charismatic V8 isn't just a pretty face; it offers a thrilling soundtrack and responsive acceleration. The electric boost adds impressive torque, ensuring you can unleash power without the need to rev high. The twin-clutch gearbox takes your driving game to the next level, delivering smooth, quick shifts—far superior to the older W12's sometimes clunky performance. And if you fancy a more hands-on experience, you can easily take control of the shifts yourself. The pleasantly surprising part is that you can drive using electric power, making it ideal for navigating through city traffic with an impressive range of about 80 km. Just switch back to the petrol engine for those epic highway drives—you know, for when you want to unleash its true ungentlemanly character.
Bentley's Dynamic Ride system, which uses a 48-volt system to keep body roll in check during those tight turns, makes you feel like a seasoned driver. Plus, the All-Wheel Steering allows the rear wheels to steer in the opposite direction at low speeds, helping you slip into those tight parking spots with finesse. When you hit the gas on the open road, they sync up with the front wheels, making lane changes and overtaking feel seamless. Achieving 0-100 kmph in just 3.2 seconds with this stunning 2,300 kg machine is a fantastic package bound to make heads turn—like a star at a red carpet event! Especially with its GTC version, which can get its hood down.
The interiors of the Continental GT are a bit of a mixed bag—traditional craftsmanship and modern touches sprinkled here and there make it a quirky choice for a stylish journey. Remember, it may not be the most practical option if you want to indulge in serious travelling with the whole crew!
The inside is like a "luxury fortress"; you might be stretching it a bit. The cabin is undeniably opulent, with impeccable craftsmanship and solid build quality, but there's a reason it feels a bit predictable. Not much has changed from the previous model, perhaps because it didn't need to—or maybe they just thought, "Why fix what isn't quite broken?"
Now, let's talk about space. Are you carrying four passengers? That's a bit of a gym session! Getting into the back seats requires serious manoeuvring around the bulky front seats. You'll need to "squeeze" hard to settle in, and while it may not be unbearable, being tall is not an advantage if you don't want to bonk your head. Once inside, the seats are not that uncomfortable. It's better than the Ferrari Roma or the Evo Spyder.
As for luggage space, it's taken a nosedive. Thanks to the battery pack, the trunk has shrunk from 358 litres to a rather sad 260 litres. For a GT model meant for long travels, that significantly reduces what you can bring along—however, the sensory overload inside sets Bentley apart from the German brands. You've got leather, wood, metal, and even wool—why not throw in some sheep for good measure? The materials are treated with such reverence you can practically smell the luxury, but you might feel like you're in a museum exhibit rather than a car. Touching everything does evoke a sense of grandeur, but it can almost feel like too much of a good thing.
But is it tech-savvy? Oh, you bet! It drives everything from infotainment to enhanced driver assistance features. Whether you think it's fancy or a tad over-the-top depends on your taste. The car can even predict green traffic lights (expected to come in 2025 )—which initially sounds impressive until you realise it might just be a clever gimmick, or perhaps it's just trying too hard to be a show-off. And yes, the rotating display—the "Toblerone"—is still here, serving as a constant reminder that some things are better left hidden. You might want to tuck away that screen and pull out the dials instead. Fewer distractions should mean more focus on driving, but let's be honest: who wouldn't be distracted by the sight of a fancy dashboard spinning around? The First Spin gets you plain Veneer, nothing else; the second spin gets you three chrono space clocks, and the thread spin gets the infotainment screen. The Dinamica fabric on the seats, which is more comfortable than traditional Nappa leather, adds more luxury quotient.
