Spy Shots: Bentley Continental GTC Speed
by Noah Joseph on Oct 23rd 2008 at 11:35AM 
Click above for high-res gallery of Bentley Continental GTC Speed spy shots
Some new cars are predictable; others catch us by surprise. This one we could see from a mile away, and not just because it's enormous. But after Bentley rolled out Speed versions of the Continental GT coupe (which we've sampled) and Flying Spur sedan, it was only a matter of time before the same treatment would be applied to the GTC convertible variant. And now we're seeing the spy shots to prove it. The Bentley Continental GTC Speed, as it's certain to be called, will feature all of the same upgrades we've seen on the Speed versions of its fixed-head counterparts. That means a power bump for its W12 engine to 602 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque, suspension and aero tweaks and bigger wheels. All of it will add up to one fast-moving warm weather front that should hit U.S. shores in the near future as Hurricane Bentley.
[Source: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
JZeke 11:43AM (10/23/2008)
Seems rather silly to do a Speed version of the GTC. It ruins the refined elegance of the standard version.
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Isuzu32 11:49AM (10/23/2008)
I actually like the coupe, and the one thing that stands out is that in the back of the car, the descent of the roof really pulls it all together. The convertible just doesn't have it.
Plus, this car will need the extra power to move the weight of the heavier chassis components normally found in a convertible.
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TKE 11:52AM (10/23/2008)
Big fat overweight convertible all spiced up. Sounds so ridiculous, but I love it.
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zamafir 11:55AM (10/23/2008)
Big, Fat, Overweight and ridiculously fast for it. Drive one and you'll forgive the weight disadvantage, that engine is just far to much fun in that locomotive sort of fashion.
coolremo 11:57AM (10/23/2008)
Looks kinda like a sebring from the side rear view. I don't like it. That color is fugly too.
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Kenneth 12:23PM (10/23/2008)
Ha Ha what a ridiculous way to hide a spoiler put black tape around it on a baby blue car! It seems thats the only thing theyre trying to hide since its the only part with tape.
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stuart 12:15PM (10/23/2008)
BMW called, they want their M3 (e46) wheels back.
thanks.
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dionysus 12:17PM (10/23/2008)
who cares, every bentley is a moving casket.
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fixitfixitstop 12:17PM (10/23/2008)
Color combo is a bit too South Beach for my taste, but it's a rather attractive car.
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Preus 2:05PM (10/23/2008)
Elegance. It's fantastic.
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J M C 3 12:33PM (10/23/2008)
A car this expensive should have a retractable hardtop.
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Mobius_1 1:17PM (10/23/2008)
Buy a Ferrari California, then. (and wait 2 years)
J M C 3 5:00PM (10/23/2008)
I was thinking a Mercedes SL with a retractable hardtop would be a better buy than the Volkswagen Bentley.
Better engineering and value too than the VW upstart.
thegutie 5:53PM (10/23/2008)
From someone who's always driven converts, I say that the retractibles are stupid. They weigh a lot, cost much more, and invariably, kill the trunk space. Modern soft tops are so good, durable and weathertight that most passengers would not even be aware they're in a "ragtop." I now drive a sweet Saab 93, but don't know what I'll do next if Saab goes over to metal. I like to go on real trips with my girl and we keep the top down as much as possible. Can't carry enough luggage in a retractible.
Neil 12:53PM (10/23/2008)
This is interesting because the front looks like a 2009 but the rear doesn't. The rear lights don't have the chrome surround and the chrome accents on the rear bumper do not wrap around to the rear like the 09's. That is what I saw on the latest Flying Spur. Maybe (but doubtful) this treatment wasn't applied to the 2 doors? Looks like a GTC with the speed wheels.
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Paul P. 2:19PM (10/23/2008)
The Bentley Continental GTC is one of my favorite cars of all time, and a Speed version only makes it even better. AWD for winter, convertible for summer, and 602hp for fun; it has everything I could ever want.
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Bilbo 4:34PM (11/03/2008)
Just saw one of these today travelling down the Queen Elizabeth highway here in Ontario Canada heading to Niagara.....in a yuk light 'french blue' type of colour. Someone's got money to burn!
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VladdyTrout 4:47PM (11/03/2008)
Call me crazy but them new Volkswagen-designed Bentleys like this coupe and the 4 door conti flying spur just don't do it for me looks-wise. The Arnage and Azure may be old dinosaurs but at least they have presence. Seen in real life the VW-designed Bentleys just disappear into the crowd but there is no mistaking an Arnage.
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