The fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT is ready to reach at Bentley Kuala Lumpur within the second quarter of 2025. The newest era of Crewe’s grand tourer was first introduced in June, and manufacturing of essentially the most highly effective road-going Bentley ever began on September 16, which is the birthday of founder Walter Owen Bentley.
It’s a departure from the norm {that a} new Bentley mannequin is making its debut in high-performance Velocity type. 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-gen Continental GT from kick-off. Equally, the GTC convertible often arrives later, however now you possibly can select between the coupe or the gentle prime at launch.
There’s loads new concerning the Continental GT Velocity, however the largest information is that it’s now a plug-in hybrid using 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 offers 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 might be switched off completely when the electrical motor is operating.
The V8’s easy companion 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 additional smoothness. The motor is juiced by a 25.9 kWh battery mounted behind the rear axle, which brings weight distribution to 49:51, which Crewe says is ideal.
The GT comes alive silently, and the system manages vitality 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. Full electrical mode might be deployed at speeds of up 140 km/h, with throttle functions of as much as 75%. The max AC charging charge is 11 kW and the pack might be absolutely replenished in beneath three hours.
Other than blessing the Continental GT Velocity with 81 km (WLTP) of pure electrical drive – excellent in city areas – the e-motor brings whole 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 essentially the most highly effective Bentley ever, surpassing even the second-generation Supersports and Mulliner’s Batur.
The 0-100 km/h dash is dispatched in 3.2 seconds (4 tenths quicker than the earlier W12 Velocity), and for those who hold at it, Vmax is 335 km/h – these are supercar figures in a giant GT that has each conceivable luxurious and have, with an inside coated in leather-based and wooden, let’s not overlook.
All that energy is delivered by way of 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 way 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 and new dual-valve dampers and dual-chamber air springs. The ESC might be absolutely turned off.
Nice energy wants even better 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. Crewe says that with the most recent GT, consolation mode is much more snug, and sport mode has even higher physique management than earlier than, which once more – let’s not overlook – was already physics-defying.
The fashionable Continental GT is the automobile that saved Bentley, an incredible success for Crewe over the previous three generations. Becoming then, that the most recent GT is an evolution of the design, which carries three design facets seen on the long-lasting R-Kind Continental of 1952.
On the new Continental GT’s current Asia Pacific launch held on the gorgeous Magarigawa Membership in Chiba, Japan, Bentley’s designers identified to us the large two-door’s ‘resting beast’ stance. They had been visualising a tiger at relaxation – an impressive beast sitting calm, however able to unleash huge pressure when it decides to pounce. The concept is manifested within the GT’s well-defined haunches.
The subsequent focal point is ‘upright magnificence’, which describes the vertical entrance finish of the GT. Like a thoroughbred horse, we’re informed. This proud chest pairs completely with the Bentley’s ‘limitless 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 acquired the proportions spot on with the third-generation GT (wheelbase grew by 105 mm). Peak type.
An evolutionary design wants a headlining contemporary component, lest or not 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 either side, the primary mainstream Bentley with single headlamps for the reason that Fifties. Automotive 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 are digitally managed to cowl… every thing.
The rear is a nip/tuck with a redesigned bumper, taillights, tail pipes and boot lid. The latter incorporates an built-in aerodynamic type 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 powerful directional design. The designers say that the spokes are like tiger claws digging into the street.
The cockpit of the Continental GT (and Flying Spur limo) is my favorite within the ultra-luxury section, combining a standard structure with trendy tech. Whereas there appears to be a bodily button or knob for every thing necessary, all of the capabilities are additionally housed within the infotainment system, so it’s one of the best of each worlds.
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 includes 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 a watch 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 highest rung 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 possibly can 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 contains 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 could be needed to enhance cabin air high quality; robotically recirculating air when in a tunnel, for example.
As talked about within the opener, the Velocity efficiency flagship is main the road for the fourth-generation Continental GT vary, with different fashions to come back (the luxury-focused Mulliner was introduced final month). Additionally breaking custom is the supply of the GTC open-top mannequin from launch. The brand new Continental GT Velocity might be arriving at Bentley Kuala Lumpur within the second quarter of 2025.
GALLERY: 2025 Bentley Continental GT Velocity, GTC Velocity APAC launch
GALLERY: 2025 Bentley Continental GT Velocity, GTC Velocity official photographs
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