Is This Our First Look At The New Bentley Continental GT Speed?

Looks like Bentley is preparing to launch a more powerful version of the new Continental GT.

It’s hard to think how Bentley can improve the new third-generation Continental GT. It looks jaw-droppingly stunning, is ludicrously luxurious and isn’t short on power thanks to its improved 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 that churns out 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque. We already know an open-top Continental GTC is coming, but these latest spy shots suggest a more hardcore Speed variant is in the works with sportier looks and more power than the standard Continental GT.

This camouflaged prototype spotted by our spy photographers may look like a normal Continental GT, but a closer look reveals a few key changes. All the chrome parts including the radiator grille, lower bumper inserts, side windows strips, side doors trims, and the headlights and taillights rings have been blacked out, which is a signature styling feature of previous Speed models. There are also two extra intercoolers located behind the mesh in the front spoiler suggesting a more powerful engine is lurking under the hood.

Intriguingly, the prototype also has different wheel designs on the front and rear axles, suggesting the Continental GT Speed will have modified brakes and stiffer suspension. According to our spies, Bentley could bump up the power to 650-670 horsepower.

Bentley still hasn’t revealed the convertible Continental GTC or the new Flying Spur, so the Continental GT Speed is unlikely to debut until sometime in 2019 and is likely to be sold as a 2020 model.