Bentley Continental GT has always been a car where speed does not shout — it sounds noble, confident and expensive. In the new generation the model takes an important step: the era of the legendary W12 is passing into history, and on stage comes the hybrid V8 — not as a compromise, but as a new level of power and intelligence.
Bentley calls the new Continental GT not simply an update but a new chapter in the grand tourer’s story: fresh design, a new powertrain architecture and a revised chassis make the car both more modern and “more Bentley” than before.
What has changed in the new-generation Continental GT
The new Continental GT is the fourth generation of the model, which Bentley presents as a combination of:
a cleaner, more sculptural design,
a modern hybrid drive,
improved handling while preserving the brand’s signature ride smoothness.
Design: a new take on the Bentley grand tourer
The exterior is more expressive but without aggression. Bentley emphasizes a new design DNA inspired by the Bacalar and Batur models (the key idea is “clean” forms and premium restraint).
The main thing: a new hybrid V8 replacing the W12
This is the most discussed point: the W12 is gone — the Continental GT now switches to a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbo + electric motor.
Bentley uses two main hybrid configurations:
Ultra Performance Hybrid (the most powerful variant)
782 PS (771 bhp)
1000 Nm
0–100 km/h: 3.2 sec
top speed: 335 km/h
These are the figures Bentley gives for the new Continental GT with the “Ultra Performance Hybrid V8”.
Bentley Continental GT S (2026): sport without roughness
If the regular Continental GT is a day-to-day grand tourer for those who dislike showy sharpness, the Continental GT S is made for the driver who wants the Bentley to feel and sound more alive.
Bentley released two versions right away:
Continental GT S
Continental GTC S (convertible)
Character of the S version: a “middle” ground between the base and Speed
Essentially, the GT S occupies a position between the standard Continental GT and the Speed:
power at the level of the “regular” hybrid,
but with chassis elements and technologies from more expensive trims.
Technical specifications of the Continental GT S
Sources indicate that the Continental GT S uses the High Performance Hybrid setup:
around 680 PS
930 Nm
0–100 km/h: 3.5 sec
top speed: 306 km/h
Chassis and handling: technologies from Speed and Mulliner
Bentley made a very strong move: the GT S receives the Bentley Performance Active Chassis package, previously available only on higher trims.
It includes:
Active All Wheel Drive
torque vectoring (across axles)
48V Bentley Dynamic Ride (active roll stabilization)
adaptive dampers
all-wheel steering
electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD)
This is what changes the feel: the Continental remains a heavy luxury coupe, but in corners it now feels tighter, “shorter”, and more precise.
Exterior differences of the GT S: Blackline and a darker aesthetic
The S version visually makes the Continental more “night-luxury”:
darkened lighting,
darker decorative elements,
black accents instead of chrome (Blackline Specification),
a sportier image without kitsch.
Interior: Bentley remains Bentley
The change of engine has not altered the main thing: the Continental GT is not about simply “going fast”, it is about living beautifully at speed.
Bentley continues the line of:
luxurious materials,
the brand’s signature handcrafting,
attention to tactile sensations,
a “private lounge” atmosphere.
Why the new Continental GT is not a “farewell to an era” but the start of a new one
The W12 is a legend. But the new hybrid V8 makes an important point: Bentley is moving to a new form of elite power.
Now the luxury of the Continental GT means:
instant response from the hybrid system,
silence and an electric character where appropriate,
and a huge reserve of torque when the driver decides to remind the world that this is Bentley.
