2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed Test Drive Review: Proving That Money Can Buy Happiness

There is a cliché about cash not with the ability to purchase happiness, however whoever coined that phrase in all probability by no means drove a Bentley. DrivingOnRoad had an opportunity to spend Thanksgiving driving the 2025 Bentley Continental GT Velocity, a automobile that left us feeling grateful in spades. The Continental GT is all-new for the 2025 mannequin 12 months, ushering within the fourth technology of Bentley’s longstanding two-door nameplate. This mannequin launches in coupe and convertible physique kinds, each of that are presently obtainable solely within the quicker Velocity variant, although much less fast fashions are probably within the works.

We drove the Continental GT Velocity Coupe, which replaces Bentley’s era-defining W12 engine with a brand new plug-in hybrid system, paired with a twin-turbocharged V8. It might have fewer cylinders, however the PHEV delivers something however a compromise. With eight pistons quickly burning dinosaur juice and an electrical motor supplementing the engine with present, the GT Velocity generates 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft. These numbers far exceed the outgoing W12. The ensuing efficiency would embarrass most sports activities vehicles, all whereas sustaining a peaceable “Bentley” expertise. We rapidly realized that for those who can afford a Continental GT Velocity, happiness ensues.

Exterior Seems: Bespoke Luxurious

You could possibly be mistaken for considering the 2025 Continental GT is only a facelift of the outgoing automobile, however it’s truly a brand new technology. Bentley principally retained the outgoing automobile’s beautiful form, however modified lots of the finer particulars. The quad headlights are gone, making this the primary manufacturing facility Bentley to have a two-headlight design for the reason that 1959 S2. We expect the Bacalar-inspired entrance finish is extra trendy and youthful than the earlier design. These headlights, by the best way, have over 120 LEDs to create a wider illumination space.

On the again, the taillights have extra element in them, with a 3D sample that appears like a glowing Fabergé egg. New 22-inch wheels make the Continental GT Velocity appear like it is shifting whereas standing nonetheless, and the automobile may even be outfitted with floating middle caps that at all times keep stage even because the wheels flip. Almost any coloration might be created if the client has deep sufficient pockets, and our tester’s Kingfisher Blue is an ideal instance for $12,115.

Bentley retained the outgoing automobile’s 112.2-inch wheelbase, however the total footprint grows by about two inches to 192.7. These measurements are fairly massive for a two-door automobile, outstretching the Maserati GranTurismo by half an inch. The Continental GT continues to journey on the Volkswagen Group MSB platform, which can be shared with the Bentley Flying Spur and the Porsche Panamera.

Inside & On-Board Expertise: A Sporty Palace

Bentley calls this a benchmark inside as a result of it is exhausting to think about a nicer place to take a seat. 20-way adjustable seats embrace optionally available Postural Regulate and Auto Local weather, and might be wrapped in considered one of 15 normal colours and quilt patterns. Our tester wore a beautiful Imperial Blue leather-based/suede inside with contrasting Kingfisher Blue accents to match the outside. Patrons can pair their inside coloration with seven totally different supplies, together with varied wooden veneers, however we beloved our tester’s Darkish Tint Engine Turned Aluminum trim, which introduced a sportier really feel to the cabin.

If we solely had a number of damaging issues to say in regards to the Continental GT, they’d be restricted to practicality. The cupholders, for instance, are awkwardly positioned when it’s worthwhile to shift into drive or reverse. They’re additionally too small for giant bottles like a Yeti or Stanley, but too deep for smaller cups from a espresso store. Likewise, the rear seats should not spacious regardless of the automobile’s large footprint. Even shorter adults will wrestle to suit again there. Although the PHEV powertrain presents no compromises from a driving standpoint, the batteries take up a number of the trunk house, limiting the realm to 9.2 cubic ft (down from 12.6 cubes).

Infotainment: Bond-Accepted Expertise

James Bond could drive Aston Martin fashions within the 007 movies, however within the authentic Ian Fleming novels, he drove a Blower Bentley, not not like the brand new Continental GT. Bond will surely approve of the expertise discovered within the new Continental GT. There’s the trick rotating show that switches between a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, strong veneer, or a set of three analog dials for out of doors temperature, a compass, and stopwatch. It is past cool to observe it spin into place. The infotainment is just like what you’d discover in a contemporary Audi car, which means it seems clear and is simple to make use of. Ditto for the digital gauges, which are available three totally different configurable kinds.

As normal, the Continental GT will get a 10-speaker audio system with 650 watts. That may be upgraded to a Bang & Olufsen system with 16 audio system and 1,500 watts, however true audiophiles will need to go for the top-tier Naim setup with 18 audio system, 2,200 watts, and Energetic Base Transducers within the entrance seats. The Naim system delivers crystal-clear audio that packs a punch to your ears.

Efficiency: Electrified Freight Practice

Bentley did not trouble launching a base mannequin and dealing its manner up; it began with the range-topping Continental GT Velocity. The outgoing mannequin used a twin-turbo W12, which has now been changed by a twin-turbo V8 with a PHEV system. Whole output is now 771 hp and 738 lb-ft – will increase of 145 and 74, respectively. Drive goes out to all 4 wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch automated transmission. This is similar PDK transmission utilized by many Porsche automobiles, and is often known as the best DCT on the earth.

Efficiency Impressions

In response to Bentley, the Continental GT Velocity hits 60 mph in 3.1 seconds. What a load of baloney. We launched the Continental GT Velocity to 60 in simply 2.91 seconds, solidifying it because the second-quickest automobile we now have examined this 12 months to this point. It will get off the road completely each time after dumping the clutch and pawing the pavement with all 4 wheels. You get an electrical shove in the beginning, which seamlessly blends with the V8 acceleration. It looks like being catapulted off a cliff. We tried to time a 0-60 run in full EV mode, however the automobile will kick on the V8 for those who go too heavy on the throttle.

Journey and Dealing with

We mentioned within the introduction that the brand new Continental GT Velocity may be an ideal automobile, and all of it boils right down to how this automobile drives. Because of energetic anti-roll air suspension, the Bentley glides over tough roads whereas maintaining the car stage throughout exhausting cornering. This can be a massive, heavy automobile, however a mixture of all-wheel steering and torque vectoring makes it really feel sports-car nimble when driving spiritedly. Properly-calibrated steering provides to the expertise, maintaining the driving entertaining with out ruining freeway consolation.

When it is time to cease, obtainable 10-piston carbon silicon carbide brakes ($18,820) deliver the automobile to an abrupt halt, as for those who simply hit a wall. There’s fairly actually no driving state of affairs the place the Continental GT does not excel. You could possibly drive this automobile throughout the nation, lap it round a racetrack, then instantly flip again and drive it extra. The place Bentleys of previous have been designed to supply luxurious chauffeur-driven experiences, that is Bentley for the driving fanatic. Nothing on 4 wheels blends consolation, dealing with, and driver involvement in such an ideal bundle.

Gasoline Economic system, Vary and Battery

The EPA has not launched official gasoline economic system figures for the 2025 Continental GT Velocity, however we anticipate to see enhancements over the outgoing 12-cylinder mannequin. That automobile was thirsty, yielding solely 12/20/15 mpg metropolis/freeway/mixed. In roughly 200 miles of around-town driving, we averaged simply over 19 mpg with out with the ability to cost at dwelling.

When you have dwelling charging, which you probably do for those who can afford this automobile, you may anticipate to see gasoline economic system properly over 20 mpg. In reality, this GT Velocity is just not hit with a fuel guzzler tax just like the outgoing mannequin. If it’s worthwhile to depend on the V8 to recharge the battery, it is price noting that it’s going to solely get it to 75% earlier than stopping. On a Degree 2 dwelling charger, the Continental GT ought to refill its battery in round two hours and 45 minutes, yielding round a 30-mile vary. Together with the 21-gallon gasoline tank, you need to go practically 500 miles complete.

Verdict & Pricing: Good… For A Value

If you happen to constructed a “good” product, you in all probability would not let it go at an inexpensive value. The Bentely Continental GT Velocity is a automobile that handles each process exceptionally, so it does not come low cost. Pricing for the Velocity mannequin begins at $302,100 earlier than a $4,000 vacation spot cost and any customization. Our tester was loaded with choices, together with a $50,940 First Version Launch Specification, which bundles in style options for the primary mannequin 12 months. Paint and inside choices plus carbon brakes introduced the as-tested value to $392,025, which is greater than many properties even in a post-inflation economic system.

Most individuals won’t ever have an opportunity to expertise a Bentley Continental GT Velocity, and that makes us unhappy. This automobile defines what it means to be a Grand Tourer, and redefines what we all know a automobile to be. This can be a new kind of Bentley solely – not simply due to the powertrain, however as a result of it is a Flying B you’ll need to drive, not simply be pushed in. You now not should commerce consolation for dealing with, pace for effectivity, or opulence for modernity. You possibly can have your cake, eat it, and likewise get a filet mignon for good measure. There is not a finer two-door luxurious coupe in the marketplace, and there is probably not a superior car; interval.