Bentley reveals new High Performance Hybrid Continental GT range

A very fortunate few ever find themselves in the enviable position of having a stable full of supercars that might only leave the garage on the sunniest days of the year. For the rest of us, our cars are a daily necessity, and they need to see us through come rain or shine. That doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself though. That supercar experience is available in a more usable form when you lease the new Bentley Continental GT.

The fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT and GT Convertible mixes classic design with a new powertrain option and new specification, joining the line-up alongside the range-topping ‘Speed’ variant introduced last year.

These updated versions of the Continental GT and GT Convertible showcase Bentley’s classic design cues that have been a feature of the model since the first generation was introduced in 2003.

Bentley’s signature matrix grille remains, finished in gloss black with a chrome surround and centre bar to match the gloss black splitter. The lower bumpers are finished in a contrasting matt black. The striking ‘Harmony’ headlamps are inspired by cut crystal and feature a bespoke welcome animation. At the rear, two bright chrome tailpipe finishers stand out from the gloss black diffuser while the taillights also feature the Harmony animation.

The interior features hand-crafted seats and a choice of bright chrome or dark chrome interior specification for switchgear, air vents, organ stops and door handles. Treadplates feature the inscription ‘Handcrafted in Crewe, England’.

Greater elegance, sumptuous specification

The new line-up also offers even more elegant design, a lavish specification and a strong focus on wellbeing in the new Azure trim.

A new silver and bright machined 22 inch Azure wheel design, and Azure badging on the front bumper, are added to the exterior package. Inside, the seats and door inners feature new 3D Harmony diamond quilting with the Azure embroidered on the seat headrests. The extensive specification also includes Wellness seating, open pore crown cut walnut veneer trim, Azure interior treadplates with illumination and contrast stitching on the leather upholstery.

Azure variants also include the Touring, Comfort and Lighting Specification packages as standard. Azure specification is the same on both the GT and GT Convertible models with one obvious exception – the coupe version adds a panoramic roof, which is useless on a convertible, so it’s swapped for a neck warmer instead.



And because we’re talking about a Bentley, if your pockets are deep enough you can even make the most of the near-infinite choice of paint finishes, veneers, trim, interior upholstery and Mulliner options to create a Bentley that is truly personal to you.

The most significant addition to the new line-up is the addition of a new V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain option. This new hybrid powertrain can be specified for both the core and Azure trim in either body style.

The updated Continental GT and Azure models now feature Bentley’s new High Performance Hybrid powertrain, which unites an advanced 4.0-litre V8 engine and powerful electric motor to develop a maximum power output of around 680bhp. Not quite as powerful as the hybrid powertrain in the latest Speed variant, but it can easily outperform the W12 engine found in the last generation of the flagship model.

Luxury and performance

The new powertrain ensures the latest models offer exceptional performance, with the 0-60 mph sprint taking a mere 3.5 seconds for the new Continental GT - 3.8 seconds in convertible models. You can also expect just over 50 miles of electric-only range and CO2 figures in hybrid mode as low as 29 g/km, so it’s not as if a Bentley Continental GT is going to be a fuel-thirsty monster.

Under the skin, the Bentley Active Chassis technology also brings Dynamic Ride, Rear Wheel Steering and eLSD with a choice of Comfort, Bentley and Sport modes, delivering refined, surefooted, progressive and accessible performance under a variety of road conditions.

With the arrival of the new models alongside the acclaimed Speed variants, you can now lease the Continental GT or GT Convertible that most closely reflects your design and driving priorities.