Bentley Teases Peek of Power-Hiked Continental GT Speed

Bentley is to unveil its fourth-generation Continental GT Speed this month claiming more power and a 50-mile (80-km) electric-only driving range from its hybrid powertrain.

While more official details will be released when the wraps come off on June 25, we are told the new car will boast a power output of 771 hp and 737 lb.-ft. (1,000 Nm) of torque.

The automaker suggests a performance within reach of an owner will match its top speed of 208 mph (335 km/h) achieved in the Ryfylke Tunnel in Norway, the longest subsea road tunnel and deepest tunnel of any kind on the planet. A video showcasing the tunnel run will be released at the moment of launch.

It hosts Bentley’s latest generation of chassis technology, including active all-wheel drive with torque vectoring, 4-wheel steering, an electronic limited-slip differential, 48V electric active anti-roll control and new, advanced dual-valve dampers.

A pre-production road test of the vehicle by the U.K.’s Car magazine details the powertrain as using a 4.0L gasoline V-8 coupled with a 188-hp electric motor enough to claim a 0-to-62 mph (100 km/h) sprint time of 3.2 seconds. That said, the testers point out that electrification adds 440 lbs. (200 kg) to the car’s curb weight owing to the electric motor and lithium-ion battery pack.