• About
  • Advertise
  • Newsletters
  • Contact Cars UK

Cars UK

Car News, Views and Reviews

Car Service Specialists
  • Home
  • Car News
  • Motoring Directory
  • Reviews
  • Classic News
  • Electric Car News
  • Motoring Advice
    • Car Finance Advice
  • Photos
You are here: Home / Car News / Bentley News / Bentley Continental GTC Speed Launches

Bentley Continental GTC Speed Launches

January 6, 2009 By Cars UK

However hard I try, and however much the Continental GT is denigrated as a ‘Footballers Car’, I can’t help loving it, and its soft-top sibling the GTC.

When I first drove the GT I have to admit I was a little disappointed. Only a little, mind you, as it is unarguably a great car. But I’d expected even more than it delivered. It was mighty powerful, but it never felt really quick. It was quiet and comfortable, and had all the right bells and whistles, and gave more than a passing nod to tradition. But there was something a little underwhelming with its on-road manners. It didn’t feel taut enough. It tended to run a bit wide on hard corners (which was no great surprise, given the weight at the nose). Extremely good car, but not an exceptional car.

The Bentley Continental GTC gets the 'Speed' treatment

The Bentley Continental GTC gets the 'Speed' treatment

But then came the GT Speed. It was everything on my wish-list for the original GT. It threw in the Mulliner Pack as standard, but more importantly it felt alive to drive. You had to give it a good hiding to realise how good it was, but if you did it answered you fluently. The acceleration (and braking, with its massive carbon brakes) was awesome. Somehow Bentley had lost the nose-heavy feel on fast bends, and the whole car came alive.It was the Bentley to have.

Bentley then tried the same ‘Speed’ trick on the saloon version, the Flying Spur, and for me it didn’t work half as well. The Flying Spur should not be a GT car. It should be what it was designed to be – an elegant gentleman’s carriage with a lightening turn of speed. And now it’s the turn of the GTC to get the ‘Speed’ treatment.

The GTC Speed gets a lowered ride height, more aggressive front end, stiffer suspension and bigger boots. The steering gets to be more responsive, and there’s the same power hike as in the GT Speed. You even get some new colours – Blue Crystal and Aquamarine.

I really love the GTC. With the top down you get what you never really get in the GT – a wonderful W12 soundtrack. But it was even softer than the GT. It suits the GTC mind you, so a ride in a GTC was about the waft, not the thrash. But will the ‘Speed’ treatment suit the GTC? It is really hard to tell. If it turns it in to an open-top GT Speed then it will be a peach. But I don’t know if it will, or if it will just highlight the usual convertible deficiencies. I’ll have to wait for Bentley to send one over. But it does look very promising.

Bentley Continental GTC Speed Photo Image Gallery

bentley-gtc-speed-1.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-10.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-11.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-12.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-13.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-14.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-15.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-16.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-17.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-18.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-2.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-3.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-4.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-5.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-6.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-7.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-8.jpg
bentley-gtc-speed-9.jpg

Related:

Filed Under: Bentley News

Cars UK Motoring Directory

Have your say - leave a comment Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search By Distance

Motoring Directory

  • Number1Plates | UK’s Most Trusted Number Plate Supplier

    Number1Plates | UK’s Most Trusted Number Plate Supplier

    As the leading company in the number-plate industry, Number1Plates are …Read More »
  • GA Auto Services

    GA Auto Services

    GA Auto Services is a professional and trusted car garage …Read More »
  • Mansory UK

    Mansory UK

    Mansory UK, based in Knightsbridge, London, is sole exclusive importer …Read More »
Coops

Latest Car News

loading
Atelier Automotive Art

Motoring Directory

  • Atelier Automotive Art

    Atelier Automotive Art

    Atelier Automotive Art delivers vehicle wrapping, paint protection, window tints …
  • JMW Motoring Offence Solicitors Manchester

    JMW Motoring Offence Solicitors Manchester

    JMW Solicitors LLP in Manchester is a specialist team of …
  • DMS Auto Services

    DMS Auto Services

    DMS Auto Services is a professional, established Independent garage offering …
  • Home
  • Car News
  • Car Reviews
  • Car Photos
  • Car Video
  • Newsletters
  • About
  • Advertise
  • Contact
  • Motoring Listings
  • Car Air Conditioning
  • Alloy wheel Specialists
  • Car Body Repairs
  • Car Finance
  • Car Insurance
  • Car Performance Specialists
  • Car Shipping Specialists
  • Car Storage
  • Car Styling
  • Car Transport
  • Classic Car Specialists
  • Motoring Offence Solicitors
  • Car Service Specialists
  • Audi Specialists
  • BMW Specialists
  • Jaguar Specialists
  • Land Rover Specialists
  • Mercedes Specialists
  • MINI Specialists
  • Porsche Specialists
  • Volkswagen Specialists
  • Bosch Car Service

Follow

Copyright © 2008-2021 · All Rights Reserved · Cars UK Privacy and Cookies Policy

Copyright © 2008-2021 · All Rights Reserved · Cars UK Privacy and Cookies Policy

Change Location
Find awesome listings near you!
 

Loading Comments...