It would be fair to say that the first plug-in hybrid Bentleys have been well received. The combination of electric immediacy with V8 wallop is not perhaps as acutely perfect as a W12, but it is very well suited to the requirements of the Continental GT family; so much so, in fact, that Bentley is already extending the electrified offering. Alongside the Speed-spec monsters with almost 800hp - or more specifically, underneath them - there are now 'standard' Conti GTs, GTC and Flying Spurs, plus super-luxe Azure specs, available with a slightly softer tune of the 4.0-litre.
Slightly softer is all relative, of course: 680hp and 686lb ft are hefty figures even in burlier Bentleys than ever before. It means that these High Performance Hybrid derivatives (the flagships are known as Ultra Performance Hybrids) outperform the old Speeds: all of them get to 62mph in less than four seconds. All will officially return at least 50 miles of WLTP EV running, too, while all the Active Chassis tech goodness that’s marked out the latest GT generation - Dynamic Ride, rear-wheel steer, eLSD - is carried over to the 680hp models. You just must make do with 100hp less, which honestly seems acceptable.
There are modest styling differences between the Speed we’ve seen and the new cars, though as always they’re reasonably minor, with fewer darkened elements and a slightly altered headlight design. The Azure makes more of a statement, with a unique design of 22-inch wheel and additional bright chrome. As the Speed steers Bentley in a more dynamic direction, so the Azure Spur and GTC place a focus on serene progress. So Wellness seating is standard, with six different massage options, as is the Touring package, Comfort package, and Mood Lighting package. It all sounds very satisfying; Bentley says all the Azures ‘focus on reducing stress and promoting wellbeing, complemented by driver assistance technologies for smoother, safer journeys.’
Don't expect the new Continentals to be anything less than lavish, of course. GT, GTC and Spur receive fluted seats, bright chrome switchgear, embroidered emblems and ‘Handcrafted in Crewe’ on the treadplates. The introduction of the latest variants brings the Continental offering up to nine models, all powered by the plug-in 4.0-litre V8. Pricing for the 680hp models starts at £202,400, a useful saving over the quarter million asked for a Speed. All are available to order now.
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