“Nobody could ever accuse the GT Speed of not doing what it says on the tin,” says Matt Bird on PistonHeads. Each and every iteration of Bentley’s flagship grand tourer has delivered more power every time. This time, performance is still “abundant”, but there has been a new focus on handling.
For the first time, the 2022 Continental GT Speed brings four-wheel steering, electronically controlled limited-slip differential at the rear and the option of the largest ceramic-brake system in the world, as well as revised all-wheel-drive system and recalibrated electronic stability control. The result is a willingness to turn keenly, matched with a consistent and satisfying steering system, creating “a more engaging drive than any current GT”.
The Speed snakes through streets with little effort and drama, says Jon Wong on Cnet. The four-wheel steering shows its worth. The engine “sings on long straights” as the car shoots through the road. A firm press of the accelerator out of corners results in “controlled tail wags” due to the rear-biased all-wheel-drive system, which can send up to 93% of the engine’s torque to the back.
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Even while “romping around” the car offers “serene comfort”, but in Comfort drive mode, everything slows down. It becomes less jumpy and the engine turns silky on the road. The dual-clutch transmission “is buttery smooth… never fumbling”. The manual mode allows you to “swap cogs yourself” but the auto mode is well tuned enough that the Sport and Comfort settings do all the work.
The GT Speed offers the best combination of luxury and increased sporting character, says Simon de Burton in the Financial Times. Driving it around Sicily’s Comiso aerodrome “felt akin to being inside a video game, not least since the car seemed capable of negotiating it at implausible speed”. As we move towards electrification, cars like the GT Speed will cease to be made. “If you’re still up for the last hurrah in luxurious comfort, make your move.”
-
Pension warning: one in five don’t know how much is going into their pensionHow to check your pension contributions and why it matters
-
50,000 power of attorney applications rejected – how to avoid common mistakesA freedom of information request shows that thousands of lasting power of attorney (LPA) applications are rejected due to errors. We explain how to avoid mistakes and reveal tips to make the process as straightforward as possible
-
Global car shares slide amid lower demand in China – what happens now?Has the car sector run into trouble? Britain’s Aston Martin and Germany’s Volkswagen are among the key automobile brands that have issued profit warnings.
-
Volkswagen mulls closure of German factoriesWhy is Volkswagen considering the closures and how is the carmaker performing?
-
Is China winning the electric car race?China now sells more electric cars than conventional ones within its territory. Western countries seem determined to stop them from crossing their borders. Why?
-
Val d’Isère is a valley of delightsMoneyWeek Travel Matthew Partridge reviews Airelles Val d’Isere and Hotel Mont-Blanc in the famous French ski resort
-
Review: The Ozen Collection – a dream stay in the MaldivesMoneyWeek Travel Ozen Life Maadhoo and Ozen Reserve Bolifushi, where luxury meets nature, are almost too good to be true, says Nicole García Mérida.
-
Review: An odyssey through Sri LankaMoneyWeek Travel Merryn Somerset Webb explores the South Asian country’s ruins, jungle and fabulous food.
-
Flexjet review: the only way to flyMoneyWeek Travel Chris Carter flies with Flexjet, a provider of fractional ownership of private jets, to St Moritz in Switzerland for the Snow Polo World Cup.
-
South American nature holidays – take a walk on the wild sideTravel We find holidays in South America where you can explore nature in all its diversity.
