The delivery of the twin turbo 6.0 liter W12 is in line with expectations: herculean ! It propels two and half tons of finely crafted automobile and privileged driver with massive strength. The urge is physically perceivable, pace formidable. The vast reserves of torque on tap provide the coupe with sovereign performance, the cavernous murmur morphing into a soundtrack quite distinct from that of strict V12 engines, but no less entertaining. As soon as the turbochargers blow fresh air in the lungs of the engine, performance is staggering. There is surprisingly not much to expect below 2000 rpm when the gearbox is locked on an upper ratio – sixth and above, the tall gearing making for a somewhat lazy response for such a muscular engine.

Another side effect of turbocharging is throttle overrun. The response to a right foot lift is perceivably delayed, to the point at which it can impede very fast driving. The W12 keeps pulling while the braking phase has already started for a few tenths of seconds, giving the impression that the Contintenal GT is one move behind the driver. If you dial pace slightly down to keep the powertrain in lockstep, then the car starts to flow. The W12 also displays a solid appetite for super unleaded: we recorded 19.04 L/100km (12.4 US mpg) for 17.7 displayed on the trip computer.

The chassis also invites the same decomposition, the sequence between lift off, braking, turn in, apex and power out must go through neatly staged phases to allow the Continental GT to settle. The same is true for S curves, precision and care are required in handling the transition between turns. If these boundaries are overstepped, the Speed will appear heavy and cumbersome. One notch down, it becomes fluid and rewarding. A sporty driving experience which conjugates pace and driver enjoyment as long as inputs are properly timed. The laws of physics applicable to such a mass carried at high speeds do apply, but within this dynamic envelope, I find overall performance impressive. The all-wheel-drive system’s 40:60 torque split (variable from 15:85 to 65:35) ensures faultless traction and the peace of mind that comes with it. It also contributes to driver excitement. Powering out of corners, the joint transfer of mass and torque to the rear wheels induces a rear wheel drive stance that stops short of oversteer, but tightens nicely the line. With due consideration to the list price of the car, I did not disconnect stability control. Its interventions on engine management are perceivable (audible actually), but there is fortunately no abrupt torque cut off, just a torque limitation to prevent things from getting too frisky for road use.

Damping is adjustable between 4 positions through a button on the console and the touchscreen interface. The most supple position seems to be the default setting whenever the ignition is turned on. The contrast between the softest and hardest setting is perceivable, but not radical. In soft mode, the Continental GT Speed filters seams and bumps very effectively in spite of the thin 21 inch series 35 rubber, but stops well short of being vague. At the other extreme, body movements are more contained, but the ride never becomes harsh. More Bentley than Speed in this regard.

The braking system on our test car came courtesy of the optional (17’185 CHF) carbon ceramic system. In normal driving conditions, brake pedal response is sharp, mixing the bite of the massive discs with generous assistance. There is a contained but noticeable dive, but stability and balance are superb. In hard breaking from high speed, I felt pedal feel becoming more glassy, as if the system was losing some of its bite. Diving further into the matter, it seems that the ABS system has to intervene while maximum deceleration is being extracted from the Dunlop Wintersport 3D tires, agonizing under such formidable forces. The sensation is a bit unsettling at first, but would probably be considerably reduced with proper summer sports tires.

The dynamic envelope of the Continental GT Speed is therefore in line with expectations: compromised by weight and a drivetrain optimized for comfort over sport. Driving the Continental GT Speed is coherent with its purpose and its spirit. The timeless elegance of its lines, the luxurious interior, the impressive straight-line performance plus a genuine ability to turn a fast drive into a thoroughly enjoyable experience; all converge to make this an achingly desirable car.

From this perspective, it is hard not to succumb to its charms. The Bentley experience is subtle and delightful. It  demonstrates that automobiles are sometimes more than the sum of their abilities or shortcomings. Judging by the excellent sales volumes in this segment, this complex chemistry is ravishing to a demanding customership. I regret a little that I did not find in the new Continental GT Speed a more profound evolution in comparison with its predecessor, but I celebrate the fact that it is a better car in every possible way.