2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed

“Every day of your life,” says the old trope, “you’re the oldest you’ve ever been.” It seems that every car Bentley launches is the fastest, quickest, or most powerful vehicle the company has ever made. Perhaps we shouldn’t be wowed by Bentley’s claim that the new Continental GT Speed is its fastest production model ever. Then again, this latest iteration of the millionaire’s Camry has 616 hp.

Vitals

In building the Speed version of the , Bentley’s engineers extracted 616 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque from the company’s W-12 engine. This puts the second-generation Speed 49 hp and 74 lb-ft up on the standard 12-cylinder Continental GT. Also worth noting: With these ratings, the new Continental GT Speed not only blows away the first-gen GT Speed (600 hp/553 lb-ft) but it basically matches the now-dead and ridiculous Continental Supersports (621 hp/590 lb-ft).
Like other second-generation Continental GT models, the Speed uses an eight-speed automatic transmission and features all-wheel drive. Through a new engine-management system collaborating with the eight-speed auto, all 12-cylinder Continentals are a claimed 12 percent more efficient than their predecessors. Unlike the others, this one is touted as being capable of hitting 205 mph—a whole seven mph quicker than the standard 12-cylinder Conti. Bentley estimates a 0-to-60-mph time of 4.0 seconds.

The Other Changes

Bentley says the GT Speed features "unique" chassis tuning, which includes sharper steering, a revised air suspension, and a ride height that's been lowered by nearly 0.4 inch. Special 21-inch wheels are standard.

Cosmetically, the changes from the less-sporty GT would be charitably described as “subtle.” All mesh on the front of the car is darker in color than it is on non-Speed Continental GTs, and the tailpipes have a special finish. All GT Speed cabins are upgraded to what Bentley calls Mulliner Driving Specification. There are no details yet about what that entails for the Continental GT Speed, but on regular GTs, available Mulliner exterior bits include bookfaced carbon-fiber trim.

Why and When

You’d be forgiven for thinking that a regular Continental GT—or even the entry 500-hp V-8 version—would be enough car for the world’s wealthy. That’s a case of missing the forest for the trees, though: Bentley’s cars inherently are overkill. Models like the GT Speed are a bit more exclusive, and for folks with fortunes to spend, the question of, “Why drop more money on a GT Speed?” really becomes, “Why wouldn’t I?”

On the topic of pricing, numbers will come out closer to the car’s on-sale date this fall. The standard 12-cylinder model starts at $198,975, though, and the first-generation Continental GT Speed wore a $213,995 base sticker in its final year of existence. The new GT Speed should land somewhere higher than did its predecessor. But thanks to the Supersports model’s $279,195 sticker, the fastest Bentley ever likely also won’t be the priciest Conti.

Lamborghini Gallardo 13.65 secs

I'm sure you can choose another colour if you wish, that's up to you, provided you have the money, of course.

Lower weight is the secret for its speed

Gallardo is powered by 5.0 liter V10 engine which provides 520 hp, which allows it to soar from 0 to 60 mph in 4 seconds. I know you like it fast, dudes.

Road Test: Audi A5 / S5 Cabriolet

Some two years after Audi launched the voluptuously-styled A5 coupe, here comes the long-awaited cabriolet version. We had a chance in the south of France to drive the whole European range, which includes superbly refined 2.7 and 3.0-liter turbodiesels that waft along on huge, cresting waves of torque – such a shame that Canada’s diesel infrastructure makes these engines so unviable for this market.But that’s not really the model you want to hear about. No sir, what you really want to hear about is the S5 cabriolet, powered by an astonishing little gem of an engine. The S5 coupe uses the familiar 4.2-liter, 349bhp V8, but the new S5 cabriolet gets the supercharged 325bhp 3.0-liter V6, a version of which is used in the S4. Those who want to experience this engine in the A5 coupe will have to wait until mid-2010 when the model gets a mild facelift.

Pagani Zonda Roadster F C12S 7.3

The Clubsport version of the Italian/Argentinean Pagina Roadster comes in second place with a price of $667,321 USD. The price will give you 650 hp and car that looks like it should be on a racing track. Pagani is a small boutique supercar builder that makes very few cars each year, so your neighbor probably won't have one.