At the recently concluded PGA Cars World of Supercars event, Bentley Manila also had an electrifying show as they unveiled the new 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed with a first-ever plug-in hybrid V8 powertrain. Thanks to electrification, the new Continental GT Speed is pushing the boundaries of both performance and sustainability.
And as the Speed name suggests, it is the pinnacle of the range when it comes to performance. Bentley recently announced the end of an era as the 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine has been laid to rest. What the Continental GT Speed now has is a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 “Ultra Performance Hybrid” drivetrain that’s augmented with an electric motor that’s mounted at the eight-speed dual-clutch automatic.
The total system output is 771 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque, which makes it the most powerful Bentley ever made. This is also the same V8 hybrid powertrain as in the new Panamera, but obviously far more powerful. With a more minimal 192 kg weight gain compared to the 2025 BMW M5’s half-a-ton weight gain, the Continental GT Speed hits 100 kph in just 3.2 seconds, 0.4 seconds faster than the previous non-hybrid W12. Its 335 kph top speed is the same, however, though unsurprisingly, opting for the open-top GTC Speed model merits a two-tenths time penalty to 100 kph and a 50 kph penalty in top speed.
The said hybrid powertrain is actually a plug-in hybrid unit, which means it has a 25.9 kWh battery that’s good enough for an all-electric range of up to 81 km. The vehicle can be charged up to 11 kW of AC, which is good for a zero to 100 percent charge in 2 hours and 45 minutes.
Every Continental GT has become closer to performing like a sports car on the bends despite its grand touring orientation, and this new model is no exception. The new GT Speed comes with an all-wheel drive (AWD) with torque vectoring capabilities, an electronic limited-slip differential (e-LSD), and the Bentley Performance Active Chassis. The latter system includes a 48-volt anti-roll stabilization that keeps this luxuriously fast GT flat through the corners, which is complemented by the two-chamber air suspension with dual-valve adaptive dampers (one valve each for compression and rebound like in the new Porsche Cayenne), new software for the stability control, and four-wheel steering.
Now, as for styling, the 2025 Bentley Continental GT has been getting sleeker and sportier after each iteration, and this new generation model is no exception. Actually, we wouldn’t blame you for thinking that this is a heavy facelift, because it shares many components from the previous generation model.
Design highlights include a slightly shrunken grille, which, for some reason, fails to perfectly integrate the radar unit for the advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS). The adaptive matrix LED headlights are now a single-piece unit that’s inspired by the Bentley Batur, while the sleek side profile maintains its muscular fenders, but the side gills have been eliminated. Finally, the rear end has also been slightly redesigned, now containing a jewel-like pattern for the elongated LED taillights.
Like the exterior, the interior is pretty much a carry-over from the previous generation model, an indicator that this is indeed a heavy facelift. As expected, the interior is made out of the finest materials possible, and though there’s more tech inside the new Continental GT, Bentley’s designers continue to hide the main 12.3-inch infotainment screen that supports over-the-air updates, as well as wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, behind one of the rotating dash display’s three faces.
Comfort and luxury are still a top priority in the Continental GT, so there are 20-way adjustable seats with new quilting, three available surround sound systems which include an 18-speaker Naim unit with 2,200 watts, as well as the level of personalization that you can only expect from a Bentley. Of course, if the standard level of customization still isn’t enough, then the Mulliner program will be more than happy to satisfy even your most ridiculous request.
