Bentley Continental GT Speed gets more power & Bentley Flying Spur gets V8

The 2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed gets a makeover and more power

Perhaps the arrival of the new Mercedes S-Class Coupe – especially as the S 63 AMG Coupe – has spurred Bentley on to make their cars a bit more special, but whatever the reason the 2014 Bentley Continental GT Speed offers more power and more options than ever before. Power in the 6.0 litre V12 has been pushed up to 626bhp and 605lb/ft of torque which means top speed goes up to 206mph (203mph for the convertible), making the new GT Speed the fastest production Bentley ever.

There are more tweaks under the skin too with a lowered chassis and stiffer suspension and cosmetic tweaks too with the front splitter, side skirts and  rear diffuser now painted in body colour, dark tinted 21″ alloys, headlights and tail lights, red brake callipers and a chrome ‘Speed’ badge on the front wing. You can also opt for a new colour - Candy Red.

Inside gets a makeover too with a new colour split with contrasting colour on the doors, rear panels, fascia sides, inner console and gear lever and contrast stitching for the diamond quilting. You also mget ‘Speed’ on the headrests and a chrome ‘Speed’ badge.

Although Bentley will sell you any degree of customisation you want, they’re making it easier by offering a set of seven different option packages to make your new Bentley more individual. They are:

Premier Specification: enhances the cabin of the Continental with additional technology and comfort. It includes massaging and ventilated seats, the Naim for Bentley premium audio system, a rear view camera, twin front arm rests and a valet key.

Interior Style Specification: combines the very best of Bentley hand?craftsmanship for the ultimate tailored cabin. Includes contrast stitching to the entire cabin, whilst deep pile overmats are included and feature contrasting leather binding. Including the optional cross?stitching element brings unparalleled attention to detail, with 37 hours of additional crafting and over 600 metres of thread.

GT Classic Specification: Available for GT W12 model and enhancing traditional styling cues, including bright chrome front matrix grilles, veneered door and rear quarter panels, boot carpet matched to the interior and the hand-crafted stowage case complimenting the centre console finish.

All-Seasons Specification: makes the Continental Convertible models even more comfortable when driving roof-down in cooler temperatures. It includes the in-seat neck warmers, removable wind deflector and a heated steering wheel.

Mulliner Driving Specification: available on all Continental models, this package brings a sporting set of features to the specification, including diamond quilting to seats and doors, a knurled gear lever, drilled alloy foot pedals and the “Jewel” fuel and oil filler caps.

GT V8 S Sport Specification: includes Carbon-Ceramic brakes with red-painted callipers, a Sports exhaust and carbon fibre fascia panels.

Classic Mulliner Styling Specification: Available for GT W12 and GT Speed models, this accentuates the elegant shape of the Continental with a front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser all in carbon fibre.

The 2014 Bentley Flying Spur V8 arrives

For 2014 Bentley has also added the option of the new V8 found in the latest Continental GT to the Flying Spur.

The Flying Spur V8 gets the new 4.0 litre twin-turbo with 500bhp and 487lb/ft of torque which gives the Flying Spur decent performance – 0-62mph in 5.2 seconds and 183mph – and will no doubt do wonders for fuel economy – although Bentley aren’t saying what that is yet.

Standard equipment stays Bentley good, there’s and eight-speed auto ‘box, four-wheek drive, 19″ alloys (20″ optional) cylinder on demand for even better economy.

Both the new Bentley Continental GT Speed and Flying Spur V8 will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. No prices have been announced by Bentley yet.

By Cars UK