Fast and luxurious.

WAY BACK WHEN, THINGS WERE SIMPLER. CAR MAKERS CREATED sedans, coupes, some station wagons, and a few convertibles. Now, people want it their way, and so the manufacturers have stepped up to let us buy the car just the way we want it. Want a luxury car? There are many to choose from. Want a performance car? Ditto. But what if you want a luxurious performance car? Try 1-800-Bentley. (Don’t really try calling that number!)

A few years ago, Bentley hit on the idea of offering most of their models in a “Speed” version, basically adding some trick accoutrements to distinguish the appearance and an injection of go-fast parts to make it a real performer. Bentley first used the “Speed” moniker in the late 1920s, when the Bentley Speed Six denoted both a six-cylinder engine and a displacement of over six liters. However, the modern day “Speed” nameplate didn’t occur until 2007, and that specification has been available on a range of Bentley models every year since. We are focusing here on the 2025 Continental GT Speed First Edition.

The new look of the GT, the fourth generation of the model, showcases Bentley’s forward-looking design language. With the Speed edition, the first thing you’ll notice is the blackline trim. Like myriad details available when creating a somewhat bespoke vehicle, the dark trim is optional but it’s a strong indicator that you’re in a Speed version. The metal surrounding the windows, the door handles, the radiator grille, the lower side blades, the headlamp and tail lamp embellishers, the tailpipes, and more are all black and the wheels (again, an option) are semi-gloss black. Call it the “Bad Boy Bentley,” if you will, as it has a slightly sinister look, indicating that it’s purpose-built to go fast rather than simply being a shiny rolling luxurious moving art piece. Of course, it couldn’t use the word “speed” unless it were faster than the standard GT, so it’s no surprise that the power, torque, and performance all are improved — 771 HP, 738 Ib-ft of torque, 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 208 mph (compared to the standard GT, which still has impressive but more modest stats — 671 HP, 686 Ib-ft of torque, 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 168 mph). These hybrids also can accomplish almost 50 miles of all-electric driving and a total range of about 530 miles. We all would gladly drive the “regular” GT, but having the chance to experience the performance Speed version is a real treat.

The GT Speed also arrives with the new Bentley Performance Active Chassis, plus a new dual-valve damper system, dual-chamber air springs, and the extremely impressive Bentley Dynamic Ride (a great anti-roll system, for better control during cornering). The weight distribution is a remarkable 49/51 percent front/ rear, an ideal balance to ensure improved handling.

As a two-door coupe (all Bentley GTs are two-doors; their GTC is the drop-top version), they all share the same basic shape, and these days all are hybrids, with a 4.0-liter turbocharged V-8 with a serious electric motor connected in. The hybrid setup clearly assists with the fuel economy but the real benefit of a hybrid in this setting is to make the performance right now — electric motors virtually have their entire power available for immediate use, just by stomping the GO pedal.

“My” Bentley was a Snow Quartz Pearlescent with magenta hides and damson (rose) accents. (The color of the car shown here is Gravity Grey.) The dash veneer was high-gloss carbon fiber and it sported beautiful hides and woods everywhere. The contrast of the vibrant, sparkling white paint and the black trim and wheels was stunning.

My car was also fitted with a laundry list (if you have expensive laundry) of options. The blackline spec added $4,735, the special paint (a deep three-coat finish) cost another $16,900, and the First Edition Launch Specification was an impressive $50,940 for the unique badging, treadplates, upholstery embroidery, the rotating gauge dash display, ventilated and massaging seats, dark chrome interior pieces, special wheels, interior contrast stitching, the Naim audio features, and other exclusive details created by Bentley’s high-end atelier, Mulliner. The only other option that came close, price-wise, was the carbon-ceramic brakes with red painted calipers, which added $16,985. Bottom line – for the $302,100 base price, get ready to pony up about $100,000 for these options, bringing the manufacturer’s MSRP to just over $400,000.

Fire it up and you’re welcomed by the sound of raw power barely contained. The roar / rumble portends great performance which, at 3.1 seconds from zero to 60, clearly is present. I particularly enjoyed the paddle shifters as I thoroughly enjoyed the sounds of the revving engine.

It’s hard to believe that a car of its heft (just over 5,400 pounds) is “tossable” but handling really is its strong suit. A fun run up on Mulholland Highway and a few of the motorcycle-friendly curvy feeder roads all were handled with the ease befitting a sports car with half the weight and a much lower center of gravity.

I really enjoyed driving this car. It’s elegant, fast, and gorgeous. It coddles the occupants and driver but can move with such speed and confidence that it’s more like driving a high-performance sports car. I’ve been a fan of the brand for years and this is Bentley’s best creation yet for marrying luxury and the thrill of driving. More, please!