Bentley to debut Continental GT V8 S and GTC V8 S at Frankfurt motor show

If you've always felt that the Bentley Continental GT V8 was a little short on power, then Bentley has a new model for you. Two new models, actually: the Continental GT V8 S and GTC V8 S, and Bentley has released details and images a week before their public debut at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show.

Bentley engineers have managed to squeeze a bit more power out of the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine, bringing the horsepower rating from 500 up to 521. The V8 S will make the sprint to 60 mph in just 4.3 seconds, and run up to a still-subsonic 192 mph. And the V8 S will still be able to go 500 miles between fill ups.

The engine now produces 502 lb-ft of torque, though fuel economy figures, amazingly, have stayed the same. Perhaps we have a few other tweaks to thank for that. Bentley has lowered the suspension by 0.39 inches, while fitting the car with stiffer springs front and back (45 percent in the front and 33 percent in the rear). Steering response has also been adjusted, and along with the Continuous Damping Control, Bentley assures us that the GT V8 S will offer a sportier ride without sacrificing too much comfort. The 8-speed ZF automatic transmission stays the same, as does the 40:60 rear biased continuous all-wheel drive.

Visually, the car is set apart by unique lower-body styling, with revised side sills, rear diffuser, front splitter, and a blacked out radiator grille. As one would expect, the new model gets unique 20-inch wheels, along with "V8 S" badging on the front fenders.

Bentley hasn't released pricing information for the GT V8 S at the moment, but deliveries are set to start in early 2014. Expect the starting price to come at a bit of a premium over the GT V8 model, though we wouldn't be surprised if a look through the options book caused quite a bit of overlap between the standard GT V8 and GT V8 S models.

About the showThe 2013 Frankfurt motor show will be held Sept. 10-22 in Germany. Premium automakers appear ready to try to outdo each other with eye-catching electric supercars. Green technology and fuel efficiency will take center stage on the stands of most automakers at the show. For news, reveals and photos straight from the floor in Frankfurt, check out our special Frankfurt motor show section here.

By Jay Ramey