New Bentley Continental GT Speed set for global debut at Goodwood

The debut comes just months after it claimed an unofficial ‘Underwater Speed Record’.

Bentley Continental GT Speed

The new, fourth-gen Bentley Continental GT Speed will make its global debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, appearing in both coupe and convertible versions and taking on the famous Hill Climb twice a day.

Unofficial ‘Underwater Speed Record’

The debut at Goodwood comes three months after the Continental GT Speed’s exploits in Norway, where it claimed the unofficial ‘Underwater Speed Record’ through the 14.5 km Ryfylke tunnel. With the lowest point of the tunnel 292 metres below sea level, and after 13 months of preparation, the new Continental GT Speed accelerated from a standstill to 335 km/h (208 mph) in just 33 seconds. Behind the wheel was former British Rally champion and Isle of Man TT lap record holder Mark Higgins who completed the record breaking run at 01:00 local time.

It was also achieved using second generation renewable biofuel and a hybrid battery charged with electricity from Bentley’s solar panel units.

Goodwood Display

The record will be honoured with the appearance of a third Continental GT Speed at Goodwood, on display in a bespoke version of the glass ‘Toy Box’ display units that Bentley uses in its Dream Factory campus in Crewe, England. Known as a ‘FOShtank’, the custom built ‘fish tank’ display unit references the underwater achievements in Norway.

Powered by an Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain with 782 PS and 1000 Nm of torque, the public debut of the new Continental GT Speed supports the festival’s “Horseless to Hybrid - Revolutions in Power” theme and will be joined by similar efforts from other marques throughout the event.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Bentley