Bentley was in a foul state on the finish of the twentieth century. It was an excellent low-volume producer with a handful of automobiles 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 remainder is historical past.
Over 20 years later with almost 100,000 Continental GTs bought all over the world, Bentley is launching its newest creation: the fourth-generation Continental GT Pace. Certain, it might not look terribly completely 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 patrons.
Full Disclosure: Bentley flew me out to Switzerland, put me up in a deeply extravagant resort 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 replacement 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 previous W12 had a hell of loads of character and will probably 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 previous W12 Pace. That’s sufficient to get this over 5,400-pound automotive from 0 to 60 mph in simply 3.1 seconds, and if you happen to preserve your foot in it, you’ll high out at 208 mph. These are some severe numbers.
This form of velocity, as you’ll have imagined, is kind 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 Warfare II fighter airplane, however wow it’s fabulous. Regardless, thanks partly to the lightning-fast gear shifts and torque fill from the electrical motor, this automotive feels as near an electrical automotive by way of acceleration as you will 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 street. I’ve pushed among the quickest EVs on this planet, and the feeling may be very related, simply with the added bonus of a implausible soundtrack.
What’s actually sensible, although, is that when you get into city and don’t wish to hassle 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 need to use as much as 75 p.c of the throttle earlier than the fuel motor kicks in. Which means 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 available on the market, and Bentley says the entire system might be recharged in about two hours and 45 minutes. Not too shabby.
That being stated, if you happen to aren’t affected person sufficient to try this, simply drive the automotive more durable 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 like Porsche, it makes use of regen via the brakes, reasonably than having it come on robotically. All of it works reasonably seamlessly and is sensible. Bentley’s hybrid system is advanced and costly, and it’s additionally probably the most effective within the enterprise. It higher be for what you’re paying, however we’ll get to the worth in a bit. I’m nonetheless busy speaking about how brilliantly the Pace drives.
All that energy will get transferred to all 4 wheels via a Porsche-sourced PDK gearbox (to my information, that is the one non-Porsche product that will get a PDK, in order that’s form of neat). The 2025 Pace additionally comes with an digital limited-slip differential and rear-wheel steering, which is nice whenever 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 varieties.
I might actually like to know simply how a lot engineering assist Bentley obtained from Porsche (it does share a platform with the Panamera, in any case), as a result of holy hell does this factor know the best way to get round a nook. Whether or not it’s lengthy sweepers via a valley or tight hairpins whereas traversing up a mountain, the Continental GT Pace is as much as the duty. It’s virtually fully impartial with perhaps a touch of understeer on the actually tight stuff, which might be remedied reasonably rapidly with some extra throttle. It’s all simply so progressive. The Pirelli tires provide you with ample quantities of grip and can let you already know whenever 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 street 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 fuel pedal, the engine roars and also you’re rocketed out of the exit like a rollercoaster. Hit the optionally available carbon ceramic brakes to haul you in such as you’ve crashed into an Alp, flip the wheel and the enjoyable begins once more.
After all, the Continental GT Pace is about greater than, effectively, velocity. It’s additionally about wanting good. Whereas the physique stays the identical, Bentley made some pretty substantial modifications for the Conti’s fourth technology. 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 technology, however just like the Dodge Viper, I’m going to take the corporate at its phrase for what it considers a technology. Anyway, I’m not completely certain I like it. The general design continues to be implausible, 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 trendy look. Hey, perhaps you prefer it extra seems are subjective in any case.
The inside of the 2025 GT stays a near-total carryover from the automotive it replaces. I do know that will not sound nice, however I promise you that it’s for the most effective. I’ve pushed a hell of loads of automobiles, and there’s an actual argument to be made that the Continental has the most effective inside available on the market. Apart from the very fact it’s very well-built, the design and format is implausible. There’s simply the correct quantity of buttons, switches and knobs that complement the optionally available rotating “forbidden Toblerone” middle show. You’ve obtained a display screen there for whenever you want it, however the second you don’t you’ll be able to press a button and have three gauges seem as a substitute, and use the driving force’s gauge cluster show for main automotive capabilities. It’s the proper mix of tech and old-school luxurious. There’s nothing like utilizing a extremely 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 might be specified to your liking, and meaning you’ll be able to create some actually heinous specs, like one of many automobiles I drove. It was painted inexperienced and its inside was blue and orange with walnut wooden paneling. For higher or worse, it was really a sight to behold. That being stated, it doesn’t actually matter the way you spec your inside — all the 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. Principally, it’s textured leather-based with none stitching. I don’t understand how this was completed, but it surely’s rattling spectacular.
I suppose now it’s time to change gears to the disagreeable matter of worth. You see, the Continental GT Pace just isn’t 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 fuel guzzler tax it’ll certainly 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 truly in keeping with the outgoing GT Speeds — in each coupe and convertible guise, the costs are just about the identical because the automobiles they exchange. That’s not one thing you see daily. 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 among these automobiles will ever have a transaction worth anyplace close to these numbers. Very like Porsche, each little factor is an optionally available additional that Bentley patrons will fortunately pay. That Tourmaline Inexperienced GT? Buddy, that value about $380,000, and it was the most affordable 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, completely different lighting parts and higher seats. Carbon-ceramic brakes are an extra $18,820 and that putting inexperienced paint is over 12 grand. There have been just a few different multi-thousand-dollar choices as effectively, but it surely’s not value stepping into.
Once more, that was the most affordable 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 people who need the most effective, and the GTC is actually the most effective. Actually, it blows loads 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 automobiles due to the oldsters who have a tendency to purchase them, however that is a kind 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 relating to driving pleasure, engineering, consolation and luxurious. It might 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.
