Bentley was in a foul state on the finish of the twentieth century. It was an excellent low-volume producer with a handful of vehicles that regarded similar to Rolls-Royces (as a result of they have been), however then within the early 2000s, the automaker modified its complete fortune round by introducing the Continental GT to the world. Its quad headlights, W12 engine and supreme consolation took the world by storm, and now the remaining is historical past.
Over 20 years later with almost 100,000 Continental GTs offered all over the world, Bentley is launching its newest creation: the fourth-generation Continental GT Pace. Certain, it could not look terribly totally different from the surface, however the plug-in-hybrid mechanics beneath make it a complete new automotive. The GT Pace could also be out-of-this-world costly, but it surely’s additionally out-of-this-world good, and that’s what’ll actually matter to Bentley consumers.
Full Disclosure: Bentley flew me out to Switzerland, put me up in a deeply extravagant lodge and paid for all of my meals simply so I might drive the 2025 Continental GT Pace.
The large information with the 2025 Continental GT Pace is that the twin-turbo W12 that powered it since its inception isn’t any extra. As a substitute is a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 (borrowed from different areas of Volkswagen group and already used within the V8 Contis) mated as much as a 187-hp electrical motor that sits within the transmission and will get its juice from a 25.9-kWh battery pack. Certain, the outdated W12 had a hell of lots of character and it will likely be missed, however rattling does this new plug-in-hybrid setup make up for its absence. Altogether, the automotive produces 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, up from 650 hp and 664 lb-ft within the outdated W12 Pace. That’s sufficient to get this over 5,400-pound automotive from 0 to 60 mph in simply 3.1 seconds, and for those who hold your foot in it, you’ll prime out at 208 mph. These are some severe numbers.
This type of pace, as you might have imagined, is sort of ferocious — and it’s aided by the wonderful-sounding V8. I’m undecided how Bentley was capable of make a 4.0-liter motor sound like a World Battle II fighter airplane, however wow it’s fabulous. Regardless, thanks partially to the lightning-fast gear shifts and torque fill from the electrical motor, this automotive feels as near an electrical automotive when it comes to acceleration as you may get with one thing powered by God’s particular liquid. Put your foot down, and it’s extra like a airplane taking off down the runway than a automotive accelerating on a highway. I’ve pushed a number of the quickest EVs on the planet, and the feeling could be very comparable, simply with the added bonus of a unbelievable soundtrack.
What’s actually good, although, is that after you get into city and don’t wish to trouble your neighbors, a fast flick of the drive-mode selector will put you in electric-only mode. It’s good for speeds as much as 87 mph, and you should use as much as 75 p.c of the throttle earlier than the gasoline motor kicks in. Meaning you’ll be able to nonetheless get fairly a transfer on even if you wish to be fully silent and emissions-free. The EV mode can also be good for almost 50 miles of pure-electric vary, which is best than most different PHEVs in the marketplace, and Bentley says the entire system will be recharged in about two hours and 45 minutes. Not too shabby.
That being stated, for those who aren’t affected person sufficient to do this, simply drive the automotive tougher in Sport mode. The powertrain makes use of sufficient regen that you could just about fill the battery all the way in which up on a single spirited drive. Very similar to Porsche, it makes use of regen by means of the brakes, relatively than having it come on mechanically. All of it works relatively seamlessly and is good. Bentley’s hybrid system is complicated and costly, and it’s additionally presumably the very best within the enterprise. It higher be for what you’re paying, however we’ll get to the value in a bit. I’m nonetheless busy speaking about how brilliantly the Pace drives.
All that energy will get transferred to all 4 wheels by means of a Porsche-sourced PDK gearbox (to my data, that is the one non-Porsche product that will get a PDK, in order that’s type of neat). The 2025 Pace additionally comes with an digital limited-slip differential and rear-wheel steering, which is nice while you’re maneuvering across the twisty roads of the Swiss Alps as I did in three separate Contis Speeds, in each GT and convertible GTC kinds.
I’d actually like to know simply how a lot engineering assist Bentley bought from Porsche (it does share a platform with the Panamera, in spite of everything), as a result of holy hell does this factor know the way to get round a nook. Whether or not it’s lengthy sweepers by means of a valley or tight hairpins whereas traversing up a mountain, the Continental GT Pace is as much as the duty. It’s nearly fully impartial with possibly a touch of understeer on the actually tight stuff, which will be remedied relatively rapidly with some extra throttle. It’s all simply so progressive. The Pirelli tires offer you ample quantities of grip and can let you realize while you’re getting a bit too near the restrict with a slight squeal. All of the whereas, the steering feels sharp and direct. There isn’t an excessive amount of highway really feel, this being a luxurious grand tourer and all, but it surely’s nonetheless rattling good. When you’re out of the nook, you simply stomp on the gasoline pedal, the engine roars and also you’re rocketed out of the exit like a rollercoaster. Hit the non-compulsory carbon ceramic brakes to haul you in such as you’ve crashed into an Alp, flip the wheel and the enjoyable begins another time.
In fact, the Continental GT Pace is about greater than, nicely, pace. It’s additionally about trying good. Whereas the physique stays the identical, Bentley made some pretty substantial adjustments for the Conti’s fourth era. Gone are the now-iconic quad headlights and oval tail lights. Of their place up entrance is a brand new round headlight with a “forehead” and extra rectangular taillights that stretch onto the trunk lid. The bumpers are redesigned, the grille is bigger, Bentley ditched the aspect vents and there are new wheel and trim choices. To be trustworthy, it feels extra like a heavy refresh than an all-new era, however just like the Dodge Viper, I’m going to take the corporate at its phrase for what it considers a era. Anyway, I’m not completely positive I find it irresistible. The general design remains to be unbelievable, however I don’t know. These quad headlights have been iconic to the Continental GT model, so to me it’s a little bit of a disgrace Bentley did away with them for a extra fashionable look. Hey, possibly you prefer it extra seems are subjective in spite of everything.
The inside of the 2025 GT stays a near-total carryover from the automotive it replaces. I do know that won’t sound nice, however I promise you that it’s for the very best. I’ve pushed a hell of lots of vehicles, and there’s an actual argument to be made that the Continental has the very best inside in the marketplace. Other than the very fact it’s very well-built, the design and format is unbelievable. There’s simply the correct amount of buttons, switches and knobs that complement the non-compulsory rotating “forbidden Toblerone” middle show. You’ve bought a display there for while you want it, however the second you don’t you’ll be able to press a button and have three gauges seem as an alternative, and use the driving force’s gauge cluster show for main automotive features. It’s the right mix of tech and old-school luxurious. There’s nothing like utilizing a very nice driver-assist system whereas an analog compass tells you what route you’re headed.
Since it is a Bentley, you gained’t be shocked to seek out out the inside is deeply customizable. Each single floor and materials will be specified to your liking, and which means you’ll be able to create some actually heinous specs, like one of many vehicles I drove. It was painted inexperienced and its inside was blue and orange with walnut wooden paneling. For higher or worse, it was actually a sight to behold. That being stated, it doesn’t actually matter the way you spec your inside — the entire actual steel, wooden, useless cows and Alcantara will nonetheless appear and feel fabulous, and that features the three-dimensional leather-based that Bentley is implementing. Mainly, it’s textured leather-based with none stitching. I don’t understand how this was achieved, but it surely’s rattling spectacular.
I suppose now it’s time to modify gears to the disagreeable matter of worth. You see, the Continental GT Pace is just not a automotive for us. No. It’s not even a automotive for our bosses. It’s a automotive for his or her boss’s boss’s boss. The GT Pace coupe begins at $302,100, not together with vacation spot or the gasoline guzzler tax it’ll absolutely undergo from. The GTC is much more cash, beginning at $332,200. However whereas these costs might sound loopy to us mere mortals, it’s really in keeping with the outgoing GT Speeds — in each coupe and convertible guise, the costs are just about the identical because the vehicles they exchange. That’s not one thing you see day by day. We’re additionally nonetheless ready on pricing for the non-Pace 2025 Continental GT lineup, which has but to be revealed. The 2024s stickered at about $245,000 to begin.
Let me inform you, not a single one in all these vehicles will ever have a transaction worth wherever close to these numbers. Very similar to Porsche, each little factor is an non-compulsory additional that Bentley consumers will fortunately pay. That Tourmaline Inexperienced GT? Buddy, that price about $380,000, and it was the most cost effective one I drove. Granted, a giant chunk of that worth $39,940 to be precise) is for the First Version Specification. It will get you issues like a Naim audio system, the rotating show, a complete lot of badges, totally different lighting parts and higher seats. Carbon-ceramic brakes are an extra $18,820 and that placing inexperienced paint is over 12 grand. There have been a couple of different multi-thousand-dollar choices as nicely, but it surely’s not value stepping into.
Once more, that was the most cost effective one I drove. The Bronze (it’s brown) GTC I drove prices about $410,000, and the Sweet Pink automotive with its $41,190 First Version spec, carbon ceramics, Blackline Specification and distinction stitching would sticker for north of $420,000. These are some severe costs for a really severe automotive. You get my level. That is an costly automotive for folk who need the very best, and the GTC is definitely the very best. Actually, it blows lots of its competitors straight out of the water, and it ought to. You’re paying a premium for that “B” on the hood.
Fairly often, I’ve a tough time accepting extraordinarily costly vehicles due to the oldsters who have a tendency to purchase them, however that is a type of uncommon events the place I see precisely the place the cash goes. The Continental GT Pace justifies its worth (after which some) by being second to none on the subject of driving pleasure, engineering, consolation and luxurious. It will not be one thing attainable for poors like us, however rattling is it good.
In case you are somebody who has the funds to buy a Continental GT Pace, then I implore you to take action, as a result of I can’t think about issues getting a lot better than this.
