Thunderstuck in the mountains.
High above Innertkirchenon in Switzerland, we pull over and stop in a lay-by. Getting out to catch a breath our nostrils are assaulted by air so crisp that you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re undergoing some quasi-hyperbaric oxygen therapy. The sun is even higher radiating a blindingly blue azure hue. Moments before we were exploiting the new fourth generation Bentley Continental GT Speed V8 Hybrid to the limits of our bravery. As for the car it felt like it was only getting into its stride. Accelerating with a thunderous wallop the new 4.0 litre V8 Hybrid engine felt brutal in its delivery and approaching a bend we needed to brake hard, then grip even harder into the hairpins that needed almost half a steering lock as we stretched the tyres to the point they felt like elasticated super glue to the road. We were certainly glad it did. Precipitous drops, many without guard rails of proper strength are the only barrier between you on the road road and infinity far down below. Sneeze while you’re attacking one of these hairpins and you’d jettison off the side in a showcase of cinematic horror.
“Accelerating with a thunderous wallop the new 4.0 litre V8 Hybrid engine brakes hard and gripping even harder into the hairpins”
How fitting it was that Bentley chose the Swiss Alps as a location for the first drive of their new fourth generation Coupe and Convertible Continental GT Speed models. Gone for good is the W12 engine and in its place a brand new 4.0 litre V8 petrol hybrid with, shock and horror, batteries. A clue for the Alpine location’s launch too was the new powertrain producing, according to the company, 90 percent fewer emissions than the old Continental GT and offering 50 miles of fully electric driving in E-Mode. Can’t be inconvenienced by charging cables? Of course you can’t and it’s no problem here either. New for 2024 is regenerative recharging to top up the thirsty battery. Electrification holds many advantages but here the new V8 hybrid’s most impressive trait is how well it banishes turbo lag. Turbo lag – you know, the point when you depress the accelerator and there’s a momentary pause and then a car’s engine wakes up – that’s not evident anymore.
This new hybrid V8 drivetrain pushes the car forward without pause which is exactly what is needed here in the land of the famously high (at 7,968ft) hairpin-filled Furka Pass. On our route we’re blasting forward, stepping hard on the brakes, steering to the left or right, leaning into the car’s seats to brace yourself against the brute forces and then doing it all over again.
“The new 4.0 litre V8 hybrid’s most impressive trait is how it reduces turbo lag – that’s not there anymore”
The new powerplant uses two power sources – petrol and an electric motor producing 782 PS and reaches 100km/h in 3.1 seconds before hitting 208 mph/335 km/h. The driving range is 534 miles or 859 km. For drivers charging at home and living in a city the new car will drive on usefull electric-only power for 50 miles.
“Gone is the W12 engine and in its place a brand new 4.0 litre V8 hybrid producing 90 per cent less emissions than the old Conti GT”
Standing outside our hotel Wayne Bruce, head of communications at Bentley told me a group of customers had already been invited to drive the pre-production cars to assess their opinion on its look and driving capabilities. In truth, is was more to gauge their opinion on the new hybrid powertrain and whether this raised an eyebrow on their expected “feel” of the new propulsion system.
Reasons for this appeal will of course vary. Either it is the inclusion of the battery and its resulting reduction in emissions. It could be the aformentioned 50 miles of electric range that can be replenished in under 3 hours with 11 kW charging. Or indeed keen drivers will delight in the instant acceleration at a roundabout. For me it is all of those and none of those. On my day driving the Continental GT Speed what impressed was the sheer silence and soothing whoosh that gave me time to appreciate the car even more. Few could argue the V8 engine is a thriller and is a welcome companion for a few short spurts, however the electric waft feels more appealing for much of the time. This conclusion was not expected and it caught me out.
“On my day driving the Continental GT Speed what seduced me was the sheer silence and soothing whoosh”
I approached the car with a firm opinion that any battery power would interfere with the car’s character in this, one of the most brutish luxury GT’s you can buy. In an eat my hat moment, I chose drive in electric mode far more than I thought I’d choose to do.
“While the V8 engine is a thriller and welcome for short the spurts, the electric waft is more appealing for most of the time”
Exterior design
The two new single large headlamps are bisected by horizontal “eyebrows” that replace the traditional Continental GT’s four headlamp design. The lights are an LED assemblage of digitally actuated 120 LEDs to manage the light unit functions
It may look subtle but the rear of the car has been reimagined with wide oval tail lights and subtle forms within the new boot lid and bumper and the elimination of a deployable rear spoiler is a welcome arrival that helps the car’s rear proportions appear less fussy. It’s up to you whether you prefer the GT Coupe or the convertible variant but the sloping roofline is something you’d miss while viewing the convertible from the side.
Verdict
Bentley may have lost the W12 engine but the transformation to a V8 Hybrid does appear a success. Did I miss the heaving wallop of the locomotive W12? To a point but the V8 Hybrid seduced and thrilled over some most spectacular Swiss Alpine passes. Most apparent was the increased immersion which the electrification added to the car’s linear driving feedback. Think of it as sitting next to a chatty person at a wedding table who fills in awkward silences with cheery anecdotes and keeps the conversation flowing. It’s the same here.
“What grabbed me was the increased immersion the electrification added to the car’s linear driving feedback”
The slight momentary pauses when accelerating in the old W12 and to a certain extent V8 are gone and the big Bentley drives with new agility. In cabrio guise using only battery electric power it soothed and whisked me forward as tiny Swiss hamlets shrunk into dots in the rearview mirror. If a 2.5 kg kerb weight can make it here – the land of gluttonous performance car haters – it can make it anywhere.
Forget the W12 powerplant, it’s time to say thank you for your service and wave a warm goodbye. Step forward the new hybrid V8 that successfully improves on the Bentley Continental GT’s desirability. The only question remaining is this: do you pick the Coupe or Convertible? Either one will satisfy the well heeled, very well indeed. On the other hand do you insist on having a GT which says I’ve chosen the best four-seater luxury GT? In 2024, this is the one.
Verdict: 5 Stars
Mark Gallivan, Motoring Journalist