You would be forgiven for calling the Bentley Continental GT S a dream car, but it’s certainly one worth lusting over. This is a brilliant car to drive, stunning to behold and sumptuous to sit in; and while its technical arsenal might make you think it’s too complicated to really fall for, its appeal is simple. The Continental GT S is just so desirable, it’s almost impossible not to love.
The Bentley Continental GT model range can be a bit difficult to navigate, but in essence the new GT S combines a dynamically focused chassis set-up with the lesser-powered plug-in hybrid powertrain. But this is much more than just a mix-and-match exercise with bits of the Continental line-up. Instead this new edition has potentially uncovered the sweetest of spots in an already succulent range.
The fundamental components here are familiar. Under the long hood is a 671-horsepower tune of the plug-in hybrid V8 petrol engine. Of this total, 512 horsepower is derived from the petrol engine with the remaining coming from an electric motor packaged within the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Performance is hair-raising, hitting 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and topping out at 190 mph, but these mere figures don’t do justice to the in-gear punch facilitated from its incredible 686 lb-ft of torque.
View Price on AmazonThe GT S’s chassis, meanwhile, has all the hardware of its Speed counterpart, combining a 48V active anti-roll system, the new twin-valve adaptive dampers, front to rear-torque vectoring from the all-wheel drive system, an electronically controlled limited slip differential and rear-wheel steering.
It’s many of these elements that separate the new GT S from its GT and Azure counterparts, and together with its darkened styling elements, they give this edition a more sinister overtone than its blingier siblings. But there’s one more critical component that exaggerates this: the GT S is the only non-Speed model that can be fitted with the optional Akrapovic titanium exhaust. Although it’s expensive at $10,200, it forms a core part of the GT S’s character.
As in all new Continentals, you hit the starter button on the center console and the car starts up in electric drive. The 25.9 kWh battery is good for up to 50 miles of range and at speeds of up to 50 mph, if the conditions are right. However, this reliance on the battery only goes to highlight the GT S’s split personality when you need to call on the petrol engine. With that optional exhaust fitted, the V8’s free-breathing nature is unlocked, emitting a deliciously ungodly burble, especially on cold starts.
Source: autoexpress.co.uk
