Life in the fast lane with Bentley

One of the kids was keen to know whether the word Speed in Bentley Continental GT Speed was just a flashy name, or was the car the real deal.

Gliding through a 20mph zone, I gleefully pointed out that it would go ten times the legal limit for that stretch – and a bit more again.

That’s quicker than a Grand Prix car, but then the Speed is the fastest production vehicle the Crewe-based brand has ever built.

Mean and muscular, while at the same time showing an air of distinction, the Speed’s big numbers near enough blow you away.

Power drive – the Bentley Continental GT Speed

Under the bonnet is what Bentley calls its ‘mighty W12’, a 6.0-litre, 48-valve, twin turbocharged 12-cylinder engine, producing a thunderous 635bhp and 820Nm of torque.

The 0-60mph sprint is dispatched in a mere 4.2 seconds, top speed is 206mph and power is transmitted via a close-ratio, ZF eight-speed automatic transmission.

Folk who can shell out a minimum of £168,300 – and the tested model had the best part of £25k’s worth of extras – aren’t too fussed about fuel economy.

Essence of distinction – the Bentley Continental GT Speed cabin

And realistically they aren’t going to do much better than around 15mpg in everyday driving, so the downside is only going to be the inconvenience of filling up.

Out on the road the Speed is a supreme traveller, beautifully refined, supple and civilised while capable of block-shifting during downchanges – jumping from eighth to third gear in an instant.

Styling differences compared to the regular 12-cylinder Continental GT include a dark chrome finish to the mesh on the radiator grille and front air intakes, the ride height is fractionally lowered, damping  and steering systems re-tuned plus there are unique 21-inch alloy wheels and ‘rifled’ tailpipes.

Wheely smart – ceramic brakes on the Speed’s 21-inch wheels

Inside the handcrafted cabin and all Speed models are kitted out with the premium Mulliner driving spec with quilted, perforated leather and dark tint aluminium as well as carbon fibre finishes.

It’s a machine in a million – a Bentley the like of which you would never have dreamed of a dozen or so years ago.

Profile of a supercar – the Bentley Continental GT Speed