On this planet of ultra-luxury vehicles, there’s solely ever been a small and unique band of producers.
Bentley has all the time been the go-to for many who demand the finer issues, however nonetheless want to take a seat behind the steering wheel quite than being chauffeured.
And inside the Bentley secure, the Continental GT has persistently owned that house – being a high-performance coupe designed as a grand tourer for crossing total international locations (or continents) in consolation and velocity.
However whereas the aptly named Continental GT is probably finest recognized for that capacity, its secret is that it’s simply as succesful as a every day commuter, and even reducing up a mountain street when requested.
Then there’s the extra aggressive Continental GT Pace, providing further energy and a complicated chassis that’s slanted extra in direction of spirited driving, with the addition of some sportier inside and exterior objects.
Now, there’s this: the 2026 Bentley Continental GT S, which splits the distinction between the Conti GT and the Pace.
It basically provides the trick suspension, all-wheel steering, an digital limited-slip differential, and torque vectoring of the Pace to the ‘entry-level’ Continental GT, in addition to a sports activities exhaust and another goodies.
Or, in different phrases, it is a Pace however with a considerably much less highly effective plug-in hybrid powertrain.
Don’t misunderstand, although, as a result of this automobile is simply 0.3 seconds slower than the Pace to 100km/h, and positive factors a variety of sporty exterior and inside accoutrements such because the Blackline bundle.
The British automaker has beforehand provided a GT S, however now after an absence of a number of years the mannequin grade has returned – and we had been among the many first journalists to expertise it on Australian soil.
Particularly, we drove it at Sydney Motorsport Park, with the GT S solely simply touchdown within the nation and never being road-registered on the time of testing. We additionally had the chance to drive the Continental GT Pace on quite a lot of roads to Sydney’s north within the days prior, offering a very good baseline to higher perceive the GT S.
That is why this specific assessment is a ‘fast drive’. However maybe a ‘very fast drive’ would have been extra applicable – in additional methods than one.
How a lot does the Bentley Continental GT S price?
The Bentley Continental GT vary begins from $488,000 plus on-road prices, with the GT S now slotting in above it at $534,000 earlier than on-roads.
| Mannequin | Value earlier than on-road prices |
|---|---|
| Bentley Continental GT | $488,000 |
| Bentley Continental GT S | $534,000 |
| Bentley Continental GTC | $540,000 |
| Bentley Continental GT Azure | $575,000 |
| Bentley Continental GT Pace | $584,000 |
| Bentley Continental GT Mulliner | $632,000 |
| Bentley Continental GTC Azure | $632,000 |
| Bentley Continental GTC Pace | $644,000 |
| Bentley Continental GTC Mulliner | $696,000 |
The time period ‘discount’ doesn’t actually really feel applicable at this worth degree, however contemplating this is kind of a Continental GT Pace with a comparatively minor efficiency deficit and a $50,000 low cost, it does come throughout because the smarter purchase.
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For related cash, there’s truly fairly an honest checklist of opponents to select from. However whereas lots of them are both luxurious or efficiency, few deal with providing each to such a excessive diploma because the Bentley – nor do they arrive with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
What’s the Bentley Continental GT S like on the within?
This cabin is an area to be cossetted in, however nonetheless leaves the motive force in management.
In case you’re aware of the Bentley Continental GT, then the GT S gained’t actually provide any surprises. There’s loads of leather-based, chrome, and different high-end supplies befitting a automobile costing greater than half one million {dollars}.
However not like ‘premium’ vehicles that price a tenth of the worth, the Continental nonetheless provides an array of actual buttons and knobs – offering the occupants with the flexibility to instantly modify their local weather, leisure, or points of how the automobile drives, with out having to dig by means of menus on the display.
There’s some irony in that. Dearer autos rushed into providing bigger screens and extra of them, with cheaper vehicles shortly following. Now, fewer screens and extra switchgear are quick turning into a luxurious expertise.
There’s nonetheless a high-definition display, measuring 12.3 inches, permitting better management of issues like the automated local weather management and infotainment. Naturally, wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are normal.
For these looking for a extra conventional driving expertise, if optioned, the display can flip round – like one thing out of a James Bond movie – revealing three analogue gauges, all of which completely match the clock embedded within the decrease a part of the dashboard.
It’s a splendidly entertaining get together trick.
Curiously, lead designer for Bespoke at Bentley Mulliner, Hugo R Chizlett, advised me the corporate now assessments the UV ranking of supplies used for the dashboard – equivalent to unique woods chosen by purchasers – given the rotating module means one aspect may even see so much much less daylight than the opposite items surrounding it.
When the car is off, the display flips once more, providing a clear continuation of the sprint panel – whether or not that’s carbon-fibre, steel, woodgrain, or another unique materials chosen by the proprietor.
The leather-based steering wheel does a improbable job of being the centrepiece of the cabin, combining simply the proper diameter, thickness, dish, and shortcut buttons to offer a degree of sportiness and grandeur.
That theme continues all through. Step into the world of the Bentley Continental GT S, and also you’re met with swathes of high-grade, hand-stitched leather-based masking nearly each conceivable floor, mated with high-quality carpet on the flooring.
There are additionally tasteful moments of chrome that includes all through, just like the elegant ‘organ-stop’ air vent pushes, the paddle shifters, and the knurled steel column stalks.
Bentley’s inside individuals are masters at juxtaposing brightwork towards the wealthy, matte leather-based.
Nonetheless, if you happen to don’t like the usual color palettes and supplies provided by Bentley, the corporate’s Mulliner division permits you to personalise each inch of the automobile. The chances are infinite.
Ergonomics within the Continental GT S are nearly good, and whereas the heated and ventilated seats do present a very good stability of consolation and assist, it did take some adjustment to search out the proper place.
It’s simple to get starstruck by the ‘B’ emblem in the course of the airbag – the heritage, the efficiency, and a price ticket that matches a one-bedroom house all stay front-of-mind when behind the wheel.
However take a step again, and – whereas Bentley definitely has a very good crack – you’ll realise there’s not often such a factor as perfection.
Whereas the buttons possess the identical satisfying gentle click on present in different associated manufacturers, equivalent to Porsche, the knobs and dials have a small quantity of deflection when utilizing them.
Usually, this wouldn’t be noteworthy. However this car prices greater than half one million {dollars}, and every touchpoint and interplay needs to be the very best there’s.
I’m reminded of the BMW 7 Collection of the early 2000s. Earlier than Apple CarPlay was commonplace, the German automaker spent important assets growing a particular centre-console dial to navigate its iDrive system on the display, with specific consideration paid to its tactility and response.
It feels as if that obsessive consideration to trivialities isn’t all the time current all through the Continental GT. Many areas inside seem constructed to the very best high quality normal, however not all.
I used to be additionally stunned by the local weather management. Set the fan on something aside from the minimal setting, and it feels like somebody utilizing a Dyson hand dryer in a public rest room.
This can be extra noticeable as a result of the cabin is so effectively insulated from the surface world, but it surely appeared like an oversight.
Overly vital? Maybe. However once more, given the worth, the usual right here is – or needs to be – so much increased.
Nonetheless, that insulated cabin additionally makes a perfect soundstage for the spectacular stereo. In a world the place nearly each producer provides some kind of ‘premium’ sound system, that is definitely among the best I’ve skilled.
The Bentley is certainly a four-seater GT coupe, making it much more sensible than one thing like a Porsche 911 or Aston Martin Vantage – although the again seats could be finest stored for transporting small grandkids to breakfast, quite than taking your grownup buddies on a street journey to Byron Bay.
One more reason could be the dearth of boot house. Its 260 litres needs to be sufficient for many {couples}, however 4 huge luggage could be a stretch.
It’s value emphasising that the Bentley Continental GT S isn’t a lot a automobile for different folks as it’s for you, the motive force. The premium sound system, the powered tailgate, the soft-close doorways – this car takes the position of your private valet.
Add the comfort of voice-activated AI assistants in your smartphone, and you can run your small business empire whereas cruising down the Hume Freeway.
| Dimensions | Bentley Continental GT S |
|---|---|
| Size | 4895mm |
| Width | 1966mm |
| Peak | 1397mm |
| Wheelbase | 2851mm |
| Cargo capability | 260L |
What’s below the bonnet?
As talked about, the Continental GT S takes many parts of the Pace, however provides them with the 4.0-litre V8 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) powertrain discovered within the GT.
| Specs | Bentley Continental GT S |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0L twin-turbo petrol V8 PHEV |
| Engine outputs | 382kW / 770Nm |
| Electrical motor outputs | 140kW / 450Nm |
| System outputs | 500kW / 930Nm |
| Battery | 25.9kWh |
| Transmission | 8-speed dual-clutch automated |
| Drive kind | All-wheel drive |
| Weight | 2459kg |
| 0-100km/h (claimed) | 3.5 seconds |
| Gas tank capability | 80L |
| Gas requirement | 98-octane premium unleaded |
| Emissions normal | Euro 6 |
The engine itself produces a wholesome 382kW of energy and 770Nm of torque by itself, however the electrical motor on this hybrid system boosts that to a mixed 500kW and 930Nm.
Within the Continental GT Pace, which makes use of the identical V8 as a base, the numbers are boosted to 575kW and 1000Nm. In Bentley-speak, the 500kW PHEV powertrain within the GT and GT S is named the Excessive Efficiency Hybrid, whereas the 575kW PHEV powertrain within the Pace is known as the Extremely Efficiency Hybrid.
The transmission is an eight-speed dual-clutch automated with a guide mode and steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
Aided by all-wheel drive, Bentley claims the car can cowl the 0-100km/h dash in simply 3.5 seconds, with a prime velocity of greater than 300km/h.
Official gas consumption numbers have but to be printed, however they shouldn’t be far off these of the Continental GT’s declare of 4.1L/100km.
Our driving element was all on observe, with the car’s 80-litre gas tank requiring refilling fairly repeatedly, so I believe we didn’t fairly obtain these figures on the day.
The GT S comes with a 25.9kWh battery, with Bentley claiming a pure-electric driving vary of as much as 80km.
To see how the Bentley Continental strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
How does the Bentley Continental GT S drive?
When it comes to straight-line velocity, if you happen to principally drive your Bentley Continental GT S at 100km/h or beneath, then you definately’ll solely ever be accessing a fraction of the car’s functionality.
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Bentley could not essentially be the primary model you consider when contemplating a observe automobile, however in case you are lucky sufficient to personal one among these items, taking it to your native circuit to stretch its legs is definitely one thing you must do at the least as soon as, as a result of it’s a hell of a time.
I believe many will assume the worth of a Bentley merely buys you efficiency and high-end luxurious – and whereas these issues are true, what you’re actually paying for is engineering and functionality.
The Continental GT is massively succesful throughout a large horizon of duties. It excels at all the pieces you possibly can consider, making it all the pieces from a cushty site visitors commuter and long-distance government jet, to an alpine street blaster and even a observe automobile.
However the GT S pushes that additional.
Opening up the throttle on pit exit, it’s instantly clear this powertrain isn’t actually missing something. The additional efficiency within the Pace would nearly definitely make a distinction in a head-to-head battle on observe, however the actuality is you’re by no means getting near utilizing all that’s out there when driving on the street anyway.
Extra energy is, in fact, all the time appreciated, however at no level whereas I used to be driving deep into triple figures down the straight did I feel, “y’know, I may actually use an additional 75kW and 70Nm proper now”.
The crossplane-crank V8, mixed with the sports activities exhaust, gives a real symphony on acceleration that says its intent to these round, however with out ever being too obnoxious or delinquent. It additionally encourages using the proper pedal as a lot as attainable.
Regardless of the noises emanating from the automobile, the large Bentley doesn’t deal with with the identical sort of aggressive pleasure that’s typical of supercars with related worth tags, however it may nonetheless hustle by means of corners higher than most would anticipate.
Having skilled the Continental GT Pace on some tight and winding roads, the energetic suspension together with the all-wheel drive, four-wheel steering, torque vectoring and digital limited-slip differential ensures the circa-2.5-tonne, 2187mm-wide coupe can really feel far smaller and extra nimble than physics suggests needs to be attainable.
Add these substances to the Conti GT and drop it on a racetrack, and the GT S does a mighty job of getting round corners flat and at velocity, utterly belying its dimensions – and within the course of, elevating drivers with even essentially the most minimal of expertise and expertise.
Even considering the Conti’s appreciable mass, driving as much as 8/10ths – which is a lot quick with this degree of efficiency – didn’t lead to any trace of understeer from the front-end. The sheer breadth of the chassis’ capabilities means the boundaries are far increased than most will comfortably check.
To make certain, these capabilities are increased than I used to be comfy testing (significantly when it’s my John Hancock on the legal responsibility type).
There’s little question the torque vectoring know-how is doing a variety of heavy lifting. By feeding torque to particular person wheels at every nook, the entire footprint of the automobile nearly shrinks, making it exceptionally responsive by means of bends.
It’s additionally helped by the Efficiency Lively Chassis and Dynamic Trip, which incorporates energetic dampers and 48-volt energetic sway bars, guaranteeing the car doesn’t pitch or roll in any discernible method – all whereas sustaining a really comfy trip over harsher surfaces.
For the longest time, there’s all the time been a compromise between trip and dealing with, however the Bentley demonstrates that engineering and know-how now have the flexibility to cut back that compromise to nearly nothing. Actually, within the fingers of a proficient driver and inside smart limits.
I additionally appreciated the steering, each when it comes to weight and suggestions. It’s not the sharpest by any measure, however the technicians have performed effectively to tune it to be appropriate throughout the broadest of driving eventualities.
Then there are the brakes, which ship appreciable stopping energy at speeds that will make the nightly information, but are nonetheless solely usable at strolling tempo and aren’t ever grabby, delicate, or loud. It’s attainable to carry out a ‘limousine cease’ even after a handful of heavy laps.
But it surely’s the engine that makes this automobile. Just like the brakes, there appears to be nearly no compromise from the electrified twin-turbo V8, with ample push out there to entry in just about any gear.
In step with the Continental’s character, it isn’t precisely manic efficiency from the engine – even excessive within the rev vary – and it feels extra like a continuing firehose of energy and torque, able to faucet into with a squeeze of the throttle.
Apart from vehicles just like the Hyundai i20 N and Toyota GR Yaris, the British coupe is so much like different fashionable turbocharged autos, in that the turbos are barely noticeable as they arrive on enhance and power compressed air into every of the eight cylinders. From a standstill, there’s only a crescendo of sound and the seat pushing into your again.
The facility differential between the GT S and the Pace wasn’t actually apparent. We might in all probability want extra back-to-back time in each and in quite a lot of environments to actually perceive the nuances, but it surely’s not night-and-day.
As with the steering, the automated isn’t the sharpest and neither is it essentially the most state-of-the-art dual-clutch transmission we’ve ever used, but it surely’s clean when driving slowly and comparatively quick and responsive when not driving slowly.
The GT S is sort of a stadium-worthy rock band. Its V8 is completely the star of the present, but it surely wouldn’t imply a lot if the opposite elements weren’t performing on the highest ranges and giving it the chance to shine.
To see how the Bentley Continental strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
What do you get?
The Bentley Continental GT S naturally comes with a really lengthy checklist of normal gear, and an excellent longer checklist of choices.
2026 Bentley Continental GT S normal gear highlights:
- 22-inch alloy wheels
- Nappa leather-based inside
- Heated and ventilated entrance electrical seats
- Heated steering wheel
- 12.3-inch infotainment display
- Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
- DAB+ digital radio
- 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
- Tender-close doorways
- Sports activities exhaust
- Bentley Efficiency Lively Chassis
- Twin-valve dampers
- Torque vectoring front-to-rear and throughout the axles
- 48V Bentley Dynamic Trip energetic anti-roll system
- New-generation ESC management software program
- Digital limited-slip differential
- All-wheel steering
- Dynamic Mode
- ESC fully-off mode
- Blackline Specification
- Darkish entrance decrease spoiler
- Gloss-black matrix grilles
- Black Bentley wings badging
- Black BENTLEY lettering
- Beluga black mirror caps
- Sill extensions
- Rear diffuser
- Darkish-tint full-LED matrix headlights
- Bentley Precision design headlight detailing
- Darkish-tint tail-lights
- Darkish-tint tailpipe finishers
- Distinctive two-colour upholstery
- Fluted seat design
- Piano Black veneer
To see how the Bentley Continental strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
Is the Bentley Continental GT S secure?
As is the case with many unique vehicles, the Bentley Continental has not been crash-tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP.
Customary security options embrace:
- 10 airbags
- Adaptive Cruise Help
- Lane Help
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Emergency Help
- Reversing digital camera together with 3D Encompass View
- Parking sensors – entrance, rear
- Clever Park Help
- Metropolis Help – AEB
- Manoeuvre Help
- Pedestrian warning
- Rear cross-traffic alert
To see how the Bentley Continental strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
How a lot does the Bentley Continental GT S price to run?
The Continental GT S is backed by a comparatively brief three-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee from Bentley, and 5 years of scheduled servicing at no further price.
| Servicing and Guarantee | Bentley Continental GT S |
|---|---|
| Guarantee | 3 years, limitless kilometres |
| Roadside help | 3 years |
| Service intervals | 12 months or 16,000 kilometres |
| Capped-price servicing | 5 years complimentary |
To see how the Bentley Continental strains up towards the competitors, take a look at our comparability device
CarExpert’s Tackle the Bentley Continental GT S
As you’d anticipate, the Bentley Continental GT S comes off as a massively succesful grand tourer that gained’t embarrass itself alongside different unique efficiency vehicles on the observe.
The Continental GT S provides oodles of energy, plus the flexibility to commute in electrical mode – giving homeowners a near-silent, luxurious electrical automobile throughout the week, in addition to a quasi-supercar on weekends for the mountain cross, or a factor to eat up the miles when crossing the nation.
It will not be as thrilling or evocative because the Pace, with which it shares a lot, however there’s definitely an argument for it being the choose of the Conti GT lineup.
Whereas its horsepower figures and street presence counsel this is able to be an intimidating expertise, that’s not the case in any respect.
Its breadth of functionality is as extensive because the automobile itself, however the GT S actually feels as if it might excel on lengthy street journeys and roads with high-speed sweeping bends – in addition to on the every day commute to the workplace.
Given our time with the GT S was restricted, and constrained to the racetrack, we’re definitely wanting ahead to exercising these capabilities on the street – and confirming whether or not it truly is the candy spot within the Bentley vary.
For consumers who’re completely happy to avoid wasting $50,000 and sacrifice some numbers on paper, and preferring to have their day soundtracked by a sonorous V8, the Bentley Continental GT S delivers on all fronts.
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