Bentley Continental GTC Speed 2010 road test

Until recently the Bentley Continental GTC Speed was the most powerful convertible Bentley had ever produced and only lost the tag when the range-topping “Supersports” Continental was let off the leash in mid-2010. Building on the success of the Continental GT the “Speed” features the famous W12 6.0-litre Bentley engine but the engineers have managed to increase power from 552bhp to 600bhp, does the Speed live up to its name?

There aren’t many car manufacturers that would collectively sit down and look at an existing model which has a top speed of 195mph, 552 bhp under the bonnet, a 0-62mph time of 5.1 seconds and think it wasn’t swift enough but these discussions look to have taken place at the Crewe-based prestige car maker. The result of these talks is the Continental GT Speed – available in coupe or convertible form, which features an up-rated engine under that beautiful bonnet. The engine offers 15% more torque and 9% more power than the standard Continental GT, while engine efficiency is optimised by the use of lower friction, lighter-weight components and a new engine management system. Thanks to this power and torque increase, and a 55kg reduction in weight, the GTC Speed is capable of hitting 200mph and 0-62mph time shaves 0.3 seconds off the standard Continental GT at 4.8 seconds. Coupled to the engine is a flawless six-speed automatic transmission. The result is a stunning experience, with almost bottomless well-like reserves of power to be had. Put the pedal to the foot and instantly feel and hear the engine roar, in lesser hands all that power could have been a problem, but the engineers at Bentley are well versed in ensuring all the grunt finds its way to the tarmac, and those majestic 20-inch alloy wheels. The latest versions of the W12 6.0-litre engine have the capability to run on petrol, E85 bioethanol or any mix of the two, all from the single tank. Running the car on E85 can have a significant positive impact on “well-to-wheel” emissions, however at 396g/km, CO2 emissions are among the highest of any production car on UK roads. Fuel consumption isn’t the car’s strong point either, the engine’s thirsty and the car weights near two and a half tonnes, so a combined mpg figure of 17 isn’t going to win the car any economy awards. Frankly though, the Bentley Continental GTC Speed isn’t about frugality, it’s about performance, style and luxury. And on those three criteria the car scores a perfect 5.

Bentley Continental GTC Review

Some might find it hard to believe that Bentley actually competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race a few years ago -- and won. But with the help of its parent company, Volkswagen, Bentley has recently done a remarkable job in shedding its stuffy image and establishing itself as a contemporary luxury coachbuilder.

In that fashion, the Bentley Continental GTC is more than just a posh convertible. It's a high-performance drop top that manages to provide every bit of luxury you'd expect in a traditional Bentley, only now with more attitude and agility.

As its name suggests, the GTC is the convertible version of Bentley's successful four-seat Continental GT coupe. Like the coupe, the GTC has a powerful turbocharged W12 engine, all-wheel drive and an adjustable air suspension. To make up for lost body stiffness due to the lack of a fixed roof, Bentley has fitted the GTC with additional structural reinforcements. Curb weight is a couple hundred pounds more than the coupe.

It's true that a couple of other high-end convertibles are a bit more agile in terms of handling. But for those financially fortunate souls just wanting a luxury-focused grand touring four-seater, it doesn't get any better than Bentley's new GTC.

Current Bentley Continental GTC

The Bentley Continental GTC is a two-door luxury convertible with seating for four. There's also the GTC Speed, a higher-performance variant. Both versions of this luxury convertible are powered by a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine attached to a six-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard. The base GTC produces 552 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, which takes the GTC from zero to 60 in 5 seconds.

The GTC Speed features 600 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, and gets from zero to 60 in 4.6 seconds. In addition to the bigger engine, the Speed version gets bigger wheels, bigger brakes, a retuned suspension and consequently improved handling dynamics. Despite these performance upgrades, the GTC Speed retains every drop of civility normally associated with Bentley's vehicles.

Inside, the Bentley Continental GTC is packed with features and amenities and is fitted with the finest wood and leather. The options are virtually limitless (though you'll pay handsomely for them). Buyers can choose between different colors for the convertible top and styles of wood trim. There are a variety of lambswool rug choices, 17 colors for the interior and 15 for the exterior.

With the push of a button, the convertible fabric top opens or closes in about 25 seconds and will even operate while the car is moving (at speeds up to 20 mph). Thanks to a modified version of the coupe's rear suspension, the top folds completely flat and maintains a sleek profile. If the rear seats are unoccupied -- they are surprisingly spacious -- a chrome and aluminum wind blocker can be raised over them to greatly reduce wind turbulence.

In road tests, our editors found the Continental GTC to be a tremendously dynamic drive, while remaining buttoned-down throughout. Acceleration is thrilling. Body roll can be eliminated with the firmest suspension setting, allowing this 5,500-pound luxury car to handle like a much smaller car. This goes double for the GTC Speed, which ups the performance ante considerably while still being a posh luxury cruiser. With the top down, expect noise to pick up considerably above 50 mph. Raising the windows buys you more quiet, and as long as there aren't surrounding cars filling the cabin with road noise, you can enjoy civilized conversation up to 80 mph.

Used Bentley Continental GTC Models

The Bentley Continental GTC represents the model's first generation, which was introduced for 2007. The GTC Speed arrived for 2009. Adaptive cruise control, an infinitely better iPod adapter and a 13-speaker Naim audio system also joined the options list that year.