2025 Bentley Continental GTC Speed First Drive: Lost Some Cylinders, Found More Speed

Does the 2025 Bentley Continental GTC Speed need 771 horses? Absolutely not. But then again, salad doesn’t need dressing, and yachts don’t need helipads. This is Bentley we’re talking about — where reason takes the back seat (heated, ventilated, and massaging, of course). The GTC Speed is gloriously over-the-top, but even in this velvet-roped corner of the car world, a few signs of sensible thinking have started to sneak in.

Once upon a time, “Speed” in a Bentley meant a thundering 6.0-liter W-12 under the hood. Well, times have changed — and so has the engine. The new GTC Speed trades 12 cylinders for a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 and a 25.9 kWh battery pack. Yes, it’s still fast. Yes, it now has a plug. Welcome to the age of guilt-free grand touring — where the drop-top Continental comes with both launch control and a charging cable.

2025 Bentley Continental GTC Speed First Impressions

So, what’s new with the 2025 Bentley Continental GTC Speed? In short, not a lot looks-wise. It still looks largely like it did when it debuted in 2006 — because when you’ve nailed “luxury land yacht” on the first try, why start over? Bentley’s designers clearly took the “don’t mess with a classic” approach here, giving the new GTC a tasteful nip and tuck rather than a full makeover.

Up front, there’s a new set of headlights with a snazzy horizontal ‘eyebrow’ — because even Bentley deserves a bit of glam. Around the back, you’ll spot a reshaped rear bumper, tweaked taillights, a new trunk lid, and reworked exhausts. Oh, and those bold 22-inch 10 swept spoke wheels.

The real fireworks, though, are under the hood. The GTC Speed now cranks out a jaw-dropping 771 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque, making it the most powerful drop-top Bentley has ever dared to unleash. It rockets from 0-60 mph in just 3.2 seconds, and will happily keep going until it hits 177 mph.

The 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 is the star of the show with a solid 591 horsepower all on its own. But then there’s the 140 kW electric motor tucked into the transmission — think of it as the cherry on this absurdly powerful cake. It adds an extra electric boost, good for about 48 miles on pure juice, and can fully recharge in roughly 2 hours and 45 minutes. Because why not enjoy your speed and a guilt-free pit stop?

Exterior Dimensions

Driving Impressions And Performance

You might assume dropping the W-12 for a V-8 would make the new GTC Speed feather-light. Spoiler alert: nope. Thanks to the electrification bonus, this beast now tips the scales at a hefty 5,811 pounds (curb weight). Most of the time, you won’t even notice the extra bulk — but compared to the old V-8 models, it definitely feels like it hit the gym and gained a few solid pounds.

With the new GTC Speed, you get a driving experience smoother than a silk tuxedo — all wrapped up in a hybrid powertrain so seamlessly integrated, you’d swear it was magic. There’s none of that awkward “handing over the keys” moment between V-8 and electric; the eight-speed dual-clutch just quietly gets on with delivering a never-ending stream of power.

Want to cruise on electric alone? No problem — it’ll glide along at up to 87 mph without breaking a sweat. That said, as graceful and eager as it is, switching off the V-8 does take a bit of the drama out of the Bentley’s grand performance. For most folks, no big deal, but if you’re the kind who lives for that engine growl with the roof down, you might find the silence a little… well, less Bentley and more yoga retreat.

Put your foot down, and suddenly this stately hybrid turns into a full-blown missile in a dinner jacket. Despite weighing as much as a well-fed elephant, the GTC Speed launches with absurd urgency—and sticks to the tarmac like it’s got a personal vendetta against physics. The petrol-electric combo doesn’t just go fast; it erupts forward like it’s late for a champagne brunch. And, the soundtrack? Dare we say it, but the V8’s growl might just outshine the old W-12’s warble. Sorry, tradition.

Toss it into a corner — and yes, we mean toss — and the all-wheel steering makes this luxury yacht feel surprisingly nimble, like it’s been secretly taking ballet lessons. With torque vectoring and an electronic limited-slip diff doing their thing behind the scenes, you get the confidence to unleash all that power without sweating through your driving gloves. Sure, the steering feel isn’t exactly telepathic, and there’s the occasional shimmy through the chassis like it’s adjusting its cufflinks mid-turn — but when it comes to devouring miles in style and speed, the GTC Speed is in a league of its own.

Since it’s a drop-top, you’ll naturally want the roof down at every possible opportunity — sunshine, moonlight, light drizzle, who cares? And thankfully, the GTC Speed makes for a rather charming companion with the top off. At cruising speeds, it’s all smooth sailing… aside from the occasional gust trying to rearrange your hairstyle at higher velocities. Hit a crack or rut, and the cabin does get a little reminder from the road gods, but most of the time, the ride is plush enough to make a private jet blush. And for something the size of a luxury speedboat on wheels, it’s shockingly easy to maneuver through town — thank you, electric wizardry.

Performance Specifications (UK Model)

2025 Bentley Continental GTC Speed Efficiency

Let’s be honest—no one’s buying a Bentley because they’re trying to save at the pump. If you’re in the market for a GTC Speed, your idea of “efficiency” probably applies more to champagne service than fuel economy. Still, we have to talk numbers. The EPA says you’ll get 19 MPG combined (on premium, obviously), and a more respectable 52 MPGe when you’re letting the electrons do some of the heavy lifting. So yes, it’s thirsty — but if you’re worried about fuel bills, you might be shopping in the wrong showroom.

Interior Design And Comfort

Fans of the previous-gen Continental’s interior can breathe a sigh of relief—and maybe even crack open some celebratory bubbly—because almost nothing has changed. Put the new and old models side by side, and you’d need a magnifying glass (and maybe a Bentley historian) to spot the differences. But honestly, that’s not a complaint.

The cabin still oozes old-school Bentley charm, with proper buttons, switches, and knobs you can actually feel — a welcome break from the touchscreens-upon-touchscreens trend infecting the rest of luxury motoring. Sure, a few bits may have wandered over from the Audi parts bin, but they’re the nice bits, so we’ll let it slide.

As you’d expect, the cabin is wrapped in enough wood, leather, and Alcantara to make a private members’ club feel underdressed. Bentley’s interior game is still very much “old-money opulence,” but there are a few new toys in the mix — like wellness seats that adjust your posture and lumbar support, just in case grand touring gives you grand backaches, and auto-climate controls to keep your throne perfectly temperate.

The beloved Bentley rotating display still spins its way into the center of the dash like a Bond gadget. That said, the infotainment system behind it does feel a touch behind the times—let’s call it charmingly vintage rather than cutting-edge.

Just a heads-up for those drawn to the GTC Speed’s grand touring charm: you might want to pack light. Thanks to the battery pack’s backstage takeover, the trunk now offers a modest 4.7 cubic feet of space — barely enough for a designer weekend bag and your emotional baggage. So yes, it’s a glorious road trip machine… as long as you don’t mind doing that road trip with one outfit and zero golf clubs.

Interior Dimensions

Overall Verdict On The 2025 Bentley Continental GTC Speed

I’ll admit it — I was fully prepared to mourn the W-12 like it was a national treasure. At first glance, the new GTC Speed felt like a Bentley that had traded its heart for a hybrid and a pat on the back from the emissions police. I was convinced there was no way it could live up to its thunderous predecessor. But here’s the twist: I was wrong. Painfully, pleasantly wrong. Because, as it turns out, this new setup isn’t just good — it might actually be better.

It’s a cocktail of power, poise, and charm — shaken, not stirred — with a splash of all-electric driving for those who like their luxury with a side of conscience. Sure, this hybrid shift might’ve been born out of necessity more than passion, but Bentley’s pulled it off with style, grace, and just the right amount of growl. The soul’s still very much intact, wrapped in quilted leather and whispered elegance.

That said, the one glaring party foul? The hilariously tiny trunk. It’s less “grand tourer” and more “overnight stay with one shoe.” If you are planning to pack for a glamorous cross-country escape, you might want to send your luggage ahead… by freight.

For reference, the model test is priced at £259,500 (approximately £352,713), with key options including (U.S. prices approximate): First Edition specification (£31,430 / $42,730), Mulliner range solid and metallic paint (£9,085 / $12,353), bright machined 22-inch 10-swept spoke wheels (£3,300 / $4,487), contrast stitching (£2,945 / $4,004), and standard brakes with black painted calipers (£1,370 / $1,863).