The "S" in the 2027 Bentley Continental GT S stands for the sweet spot in the Conti lineup. Things tend to get better when you put an "S" on them. For example, mild-mannered reporters become superheroes, one beer becomes a few beers, and a car usually winds up with improved performance. The concept of adding an "S" to indicate a more powerful variant was pioneered by Porsche and has since been adopted by other manufacturers such as AMG, Aston Martin, and Audi.
Bentley is now joining the gang with the S version of the Continental GT, which splits the difference between the regular car and the range-topping GT Speed. The Continental GT is the car that redefined Bentley for the 21st century, developed with the huge investment Volkswagen Group made after it acquired the venerable British luxury maker and entering production in 2003.
The S variant now makes its third appearance in the Continental GT/GTC line. It's positioned as a "just right," Goldilocks point that combines the chassis of the hot-rod GT Speed with the hybrid powertrain of the entry-level Continental. As with all current versions of the Continental GT and Flying Spur sedans, that combines a twin-turbo V-8, an electric motor, and a battery that delivers enough electric range for the average commute.
View Price on AmazonMore Specs:
Powertrain: 4.0-liter turbocharged V-8 + electric motor and 25.9-kWh battery
Power: Engine—512 hp @ 6250 rpm; Electric motor—188 hp; Combined—671 hp
Torque: Engine—568 lb-ft @ 2300-4500 rpm; Electric motor—332 lb-ft; Combined—686 lb-ft
0-60 MPH: 3.3 seconds (manufacturer claim)
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Weight: 5421 lbs
Driving Range (Electric / Total): 52 miles / 535 miles
Beneath its oh-so-English exterior, the Continental GT uses much hardware shared with Porsche, and that's a good thing. The current GT sits on the same platform as the Panamera, and like that sedan, it punches harder and involves the driver more than you might expect for a car aimed at luxury.
The GT S coupe weighs in at a quoted 5421 pounds, which means it was all but three tons when I drove it, carrying two grown men and their gear. A decent portion of that weight is due to its complex plug-in hybrid powertrain, but the resulting output of 670 hp and 686 lb-ft of torque seems worth the sacrifice on the scales.
Source: roadandtrack.com
