What do I expect from the Bentley Continental GTC Speed? Something very, very fast, that’s what.
Last year, I drove both the standard Continental GT Coupe, and the livened-up Speed variant. Both worked together, to turn me from a Conti skeptic into a convert.
First thing I did when I got back home was check out Auto Trader, to see how much early-gen ones went for. (£40k and no I can’t, to pre-empt any questions).
The Speed line, which brings more power, sportier handling and subtly enhanced looks, has already instantly won the majority of GT Coupe sales, and is doing similarly good business for the Flying Spur saloon. Now, it’s the turn of the GTC Convertible.
Coupled with a mild facelift for the 2010 model year, Bentley’s given us the full fat 600bhp Speed drop-top 2+2, creating its fastest-ever convertible in the process. 200mph do ya?
The overriding impression I took from the GT Coupe was one of completeness. This really was a car that tuned into my psyche – it wasn’t particularly overtly sporting, or dramatic, or intense. It was just ‘nice’. Accurate, agile way (way way way) beyond its size and weight, and generally pretty lush.
I blow hot and cold with convertibles. Currently, I’m on a downer with them – preferred the BMW Z4 when it was imitating a Coupe rather than being a Roadster. How will I get on with the Bentley, then? Well, by now, I’ll already know. And will be letting you know in due course…
