2008 Bentley Continental GT

One Bodacious Brit

Bentley cracks the 200 mph mark with the Continental GT Speed.

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The Bentley arrived as a 2004 model for $155,000: six figures and then some, yet barely half the price of traditional British royals from Bentley or former partner turned rival Rolls-Royce. By borrowing the aluminum chassis, all-wheel-drive system, and engine components from Audi/Volkswagen (which took control of Bentley in 1998), the automaker held costs in check without sacrificing style, luxury, or performance. In fact, the Bentley Continental GT was the fastest and most powerful Bentley in history, and more technically advanced than the far pricier and more conservative Arnage.

The lesson Bentley learned was that even rich folks love a bargain: Continental GT sales exploded like the cork out of a bottle of Dom Perignon. The coupe’s success soon led to the Continental Flying Spur sedan and Continental GTC convertible. Last year, Bentley sold nearly 4,200 cars in North America, a nine-fold increase from 2003.

To sustain that momentum, Bentley is now pitching an upgraded performance version of the Continental, dubbed the GT Speed. While the Continental was already one of the world’s most powerful luxury cars with its 552-horsepower, twin-turbocharged W12 engine, the Speed edition rounds up to an even 600 hp. Thanks to its added muscle, the Continental GT Speed is the first Bentley to surpass the 200-mph top speed threshold; the company says it can hit 202 mph, which is 4 mph more than the base Bentley Continental GT.

The Continental GT Speed’s 0-60 mph sprint takes 4.3 seconds, shaving three-tenths from the standard coupe’s time. From a standstill, the GT Speed breaks 100 mph in just 10.3 seconds.

Besides added hustle, the Bentley Continental GT Speed is lower to the ground and has larger wheels with grippier tires, a sportier air suspension, recalibrated steering, and subtle styling changes. It also adds several standard niceties that are options on the Continental GT coupe and GTC convertible.

Naturally, the price rises along with the power. The GT Speed stickers at $206,285, which includes a $3,700 gas guzzler tax and a $2,595 destination charge. That’s a $26,000 premium over your basic Continental GT.