Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible 2023 Review: Devon & Dorset Tour

We took the Bentley on a tour of Dorset and Devon, stopping at The Eastbury Hotel in Sherborne and The Cary Arms in Babbacombe Bay on the English Riviera.

The GTC Speed is a two-door, four-seat Grand Tourer offering opulence and extreme supercar performance, albeit at a hefty price. Though it delivers amazing quality for value compared to similarly priced cars, particularly when you consider the fine craftsmanship and futuristic engineering that go into making this legendary cruiser.

We drove the 6-litre parallel twin-scroll turbocharged W12 TSI with direct intercooling for the trip. Pushing out 650 bhp at 5000-6000 rpm with a torque of 900 Nm, it will do 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds, insane for a car with this level of luxury and comfort. And 0-100 mph in 8 secs, hitting a top speed of 208 mph. Well, if you're not drooling by now, cars are really not your thing.

The Moroccan Blue paintwork makes the car stand out from the crowd and the optional Blackline Specification imparts a more aggressive demeanour on an already growly face with black trim accentuating the body lines and menacing front grille.

22" forged Speed wheels in a dark tint finish is just bragging, but never forget a car is only as good as the surface area of the tyres touching the road, so go big.

The profile balance is significantly improved, they have moved the front wheels forward so the rear seats are less of a visual drag. The slim, creased waist and gorgeous chunky haunches keep the GTC at the top of the wall poster charts, always impressive, refined and eye-catching.

An opulent and plush interior is exactly what you'd expect from the leading luxury supercar. Solid metal buttons and knobs, a smooth immaculate leather dash which undulates sexily over the driver console framed in black gloss and gleaming chrome touches. Our model sported a duo-tone cabin in Imperial Blue with linen leather accents, dark stained burr walnut over grand black veneer inserts, and detailed with contrast stitching.

Spacious diamond quilted leather seats envelope and cosset you, whilst adding an aroma that is all manly cigars, aged port and peated whisky. These are adjustable to any shape or size and more comfortable than a Chesterfield sofa. Actually, much more so as they adjust the pressure constantly over different areas of the body to relieve pressure points, using an algorithm developed in collaboration with a chiropractor. And that's before you turn on the massage function. Wave is still my favourite. Plus the diamond quilted pattern makes you feel uxorious. The rear seats are tight but will take two adults in comfort.

The piece de resistance is a 12.3" central touchscreen with an optional Bentley rotating display, switching between the screen, three analogue displays (compass, chronometer and exterior temperature) and a smooth glossy veneer. Indispensable to the character of the car, it's what Q would have given Bond in the nineties when superfluous gadgets were cool.

A top view camera comes as standard while the optional Naim for Bentley premium audio system with 20 speakers will set you back a cool £6,725, but it does soothe the ears with beauteous music.

Get the heads-up display if you want to keep your driving licence. You can only do a speed course every two years, so you do need to pay close attention to your speedometer as the drive is so smooth. 80 mph feels like 30 even on British roads.

The boot space is less than that of the coupe, but still sizeable at 358 litres. Enough baggage space for a week 'a deux' on either the English, French or Italian Riviera.

Aluminium double wishbones on the front and aluminium multi-link rear suspension with a 48V anti-roll bar help maintain this strapping and impressive motor level at all times. Three-chamber air suspension with continuous damping assures a lovely smooth ride, this car openly laughs at the plethora of potholes. You only know they're there because cars in the rearview bounce up and down at regular intervals.

The ZF eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox is so flawless you barely feel the gear changes. You'll have to switch to the paddles if you want some feedback, though in Sport mode it is quite ferocious enough.

That active roll bar does an amazing job of keeping this burly 2.86-tonne car resolutely flat, even in the tightest corners. In fact, it was so good we tested it with a spirit level and that bubble barely wobbled as we swerved left and right. Both front-to-back and side-to-side roll are minutely controlled, and the real-time response is instantaneous, digitally negating that weight to an insane degree. Bentley's advanced software matched with extraordinary engineering produces uncanny road stability.

Note that the W12 engine is thirsty, but it does manage a combined 20 mpg assisted by a low drag coefficient of 0.29, stop-start and an economy drive mode.

The Bentley GT hit a performance apotheosis in 2021 with the Speed, and they just keep improving it. The car behaves more like a two-seater sports supercar than a four-seater luxury sedan. it grips the road beautifully accelerating in a straight line, the weight helps here, but also turns with eye-watering alacrity, the four-wheel steering cutting sharply into the corners, belying its mass with algorithmic magic. 

Apologies to Bentley boy racers, but the GT is the easiest car to drive in the world, a six-year-old could spin this around a track and produce a satisfactory time. The car is that confident on the roads, like an aged Warren Beatty meeting a young Madonna for the first time, there was never any doubt in his mind. 

Madonna subsequently said about their 15-month relationship.

"Yes, he was (an incredible lover). I'm not going to lie."

The Bentley Continental GT Speed convertible is a vigorous, confident luxurious analogy.

The rear-wheel steering and all-wheel drive add more ability in the corners, it flips the car sharply into and out of the turns, a heavyweight that floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee. Leaping forward with silky brutality, the W12 engine gives you ample torque even at the highest speeds. Want to overtake at 100 mph? Not a problem, the power just keeps on coming. And now 100% of the engine power can be directed to the rear wheels.

With the roof down, it is serene, the interior airflow is finely controlled so your hair and silk scarf stay perfectly placed even at high speeds. Though it takes very little for my mane to go full bouffant I was saved from the Liberace look. Drive topless even in winter with heated armrests, a heated steering wheel and discreet neck warmers.

Bentley hand builds the W12 engine in Crewe, the leather and interior are all hand-made by craftsmen from another era, and the performance inherits and blends the best technology from Audi, VW, Porsche and of course Bentley's own R&D. I have reviewed Bentleys for over 15 years, and they just keep getting better. Majestic exterior styling, stirring interior luxury and breathtaking performance are an unbeatable combination.

The Bentley GT Speed Convertible W12 is the one to buy. V8 is great, but 12, well, it's just more isn't it? And what use is a luxury car if you can't drop the roof down and show off the tan? 

Bentley has just announced that they will end production of the W12 in April 2024. Though they are going out with a bang, developing a limited run of 18 Bentley Baturs. These W12s will produce 750 PS and 1000 Nm of torque. Though good luck getting one, it seems they've sold out already.

We may be losing the W12, but I've seen what Bentley is planning for the future and it is magnificent. 

Bentley Continental GTC Speed with options: £234,400.

https://www.bentleymotors.com/

Key options featured on this model include: 

Mulliner Driving Specification STD
22” Forged Speed Wheel — Gloss Black
Quilting to seats
Door casings and rear quarter panels include ‘diamond-in-diamond’
embroidery
Indented leather headlining
Sports pedals
Jewelled fuel filler cap
Jewelled oil cap
Embroidered Bentley emblems

City Specification (as standard)
Top view camera; Traffic Sign Recognition; City Assist; Pedestrian
Warning; Reversing Traffic Warning; Automatic dimming mirrors; Hands-
free boot opening

Touring Specification:   £6,480
Lane Assist; Adaptive Cruise Control; Bentley Safeguard Plus; Night
vision; Head-up display

Front Seat Comfort Specification £4,085
Adjustable headrests; cushion length and side bolsters
Ventilation and massage functions

Carbon Ceramic Brakes with black painted callipers:  £11,890

‘Naim for Bentley’ premium audio system:  £6,725

Bentley Rotating Display:  £4,865

Continental Blackline Specification:  £3,315
Black painted trim to the following areas:
Side window surrounds; wing vents; lower door brightware; rear bumper brightware; radiator shell matrix, surround and centre bar; door handles; rear number plate surround; front and rear lamp bezels, exhaust outlets

Styling Specification:  £9,180