Bentley’s beast evolves: The new continental GT lands in South Africa with fangs, flair, and a plug
Key topics:
Bentley’s new Continental GT debuts in SA with a hybrid V8 powertrain
575kW, 1000Nm beast does 0–100km/h in 3.2s and 80km electric-only range
Redesigned styling, luxury interior, and tech-packed chassis enhancements
Sign up for your early morning brew of the BizNews Insider to keep you up to speed with the content that matters. The newsletter will land in your inbox at 5:30am weekdays. Register here.
Support South Africa’s bastion of independent journalism, offering balanced insights on investments, business, and the political economy, by joining BizNews Premium. Register here.
If you prefer WhatsApp for updates, sign up to the BizNews channel here.
By Miles Downard
Just when you thought the Bentley Continental GT couldn’t possibly get more grand, glamorous, or gloriously over-the-top, the boffins in Crewe have gone and built one that’s not only faster and more sculpted—but now also partially electric. Yes, dear reader, the V8 brute that once defined unapologetic petrol-powered indulgence has sprouted a conscience… sort of.
Unveiled recently to a select group of journalists, accompanied by all the pomp you’d expect - white gloves, polished champagne flutes, and enough tweed to kit out an entire rowing team - the fourth-generation Continental GT debuts Bentley’s all-new Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain. It pairs a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 with a 140kW electric motor for a combined 575kW and 1000 Nm. In English? Zero to 100 km/h in 3.2 seconds, a top speed of 335 km/h, and the ability to cruise silently through Sandton traffic on electric power alone - for up to 80 km.
Styling-wise, it’s all about the evolution of aggression. The new Continental GT wears its skin tighter, lower, and wider. At the front, a new “focused eye” headlamp design ditches the traditional dual-round look in favour of something far more predatory - think tiger just before it pounces. Around the back, the taillights now burst with a “molten lava” effect when lit, while the boot lid and bumper have been chiselled for maximum drama.
Inside, it’s Bentley doing what Bentley does best. Wood, leather, and diamond quilting so precise you’d swear it was done by Swiss watchmakers on sabbatical. There’s also a new “dark chrome” option for those who like their luxury with a bit of a Batman complex.
But don’t be fooled by the pampering—this new GT is serious under the skin. Active all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering, torque vectoring, and Bentley Dynamic Ride (basically electronic wizardry to keep things flat and composed at warp speed) are all part of the chassis arsenal. Dual-valve damping lets you float like a feather or slice corners like a katana, depending on your mood.
Starting at a lofty R5,269,000, the new Continental GT is still unmistakably a Bentley—sumptuous, snarling, and slightly ridiculous in all the right ways. But now, it can also whisper. And charge. And smugly remind you that it's saving the planet, one silent school run at a time.