Bentley Continental gains new plug-in hybrid drivetrain

After announcing the retirement of its famed W12 and V8 engines, Bentley has now pulled the covers off the new Continental GT.

This new grand tourer trades away its 12 cylinders for a new plug-in hybrid drivetrain, which Bentley terms as its 'Ultra Performance Hybrid'. And the new name is justified. A 584bhp 4.0-litre V8 working in tandem with a 187bhp electric motor gives this new Continental GT an impressive total system output of 771bhp while producing a peak torque of 1,000Nm.

A new plug-in hybrid drivetrain will see the Continental completing the century sprint in 3.4 seconds

For some comparison, the firm's W12 used to offer up a maximum of 650bhp and develop a peak torque of 900Nm.

Bentley states that this new Continental will complete the sprint to 100km/h from a standstill in 3.1 seconds, and march on to a top speed of 335km/h. Power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed dual clutch transmission and an electronic limited slip differential.

The car's 25.9kWh battery, which is mounted behind the rear axle, not only contributes to the car's 49:51 weight distribution, but also allows it to post an 81km all-electric range, and to reach a maximum speed of 140km/h without generating any local emissions. Bentley states that this battery can be charged at a maximum of 11kW.

The Bentley Continental is being offered with a new design 22-inch rims, and has now ditched the quad-head light design

And when you're chalking up even more miles still, the car's new dual valve damper system and dual chamber air springs will ensure raised performance, handling, and most crucially, comfort.

On the outside, the new Bentley Continental has adopted a cleaner overall design - all the better to convey muscularity and refinement.

Top story here is the fact that the car has lost its quad-head light setup, a touch not seen on a non-coach-built Bentley since the S2, and now adopted to give the Continental a more determined front.

Customers will be able to opt for three different sound systems for their own Continental, with the top Naim system offering a total of 2,200W via 18 speakers

These new head lights also now get a horizontal element, and make use of a deep crystal cut diamond effect at the top. Matrix LED items, these make use of 120 separate LEDs and are said to offer a natural reading of the road. At the rear, the Continental also now sports new taillights, while the bumper and boot lid have also been redesigned.

Step within the car and you'll be able to rest upon its 20-way adjustable seats, which now can be had with a posture adjusting system and an auto climate system, to minimise fatigue on long drives.

The firm's Rotating Display - a three-sided display featuring a 12.3inch high-definition display, three elegant analogue dials, and an unbroken side of handcrafted veneer continues to feature in the Continental.

The Bentley Continental Convertible comes with a seven-bow fabric roof system that is deployable in 19 seconds at speeds up to 48km/h

Customers will, however, be able to choose between three audio systems here, with the standard option getting a total of 10 speakers delivering 650W.

A Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles is also available, while audiophiles can opt for the Naim 2,200W, 18-speaker system with Active Bass Transducers built into the front seats and eight sound modes.

The Bentley Continental is being launched for the first time alongside the open top GTC, which features a seven-bow fabric roof system, is available in a range of seven exterior colours (including tweed) and is deployable in 19 seconds at speeds up to 48km/h.

Both coupe and convertible models will be crafted at Bentley's factory in Crewe, U.K. Production and deliveries are due to begin in the third quarter of 2024.