• The car plays host to the monstrous, 6.0L, W12 engine, which the company has perfected since its introduction in 2003.
    The car plays host to the monstrous, 6.0L, W12 engine, which the company has perfected since its introduction in 2003.
  • Bentley has made more than 70,000 of them in total, making its Crewe factory the world’s leading 12-cylinder power unit producer.
    Bentley has made more than 70,000 of them in total, making its Crewe factory the world’s leading 12-cylinder power unit producer.
  • With a bit of tweaking, the company has managed to increase both the power and the torque, while also lowering the emissions.
    With a bit of tweaking, the company has managed to increase both the power and the torque, while also lowering the emissions.
  • Power is now up to 626hp, with torque now peaking at an arm-bending 820Nm. That’s an incredible increase of 212hp and 270Nm of torque from the Continental GT’s original W12 motor.
    Power is now up to 626hp, with torque now peaking at an arm-bending 820Nm. That’s an incredible increase of 212hp and 270Nm of torque from the Continental GT’s original W12 motor.
  • Engineers insert the 12 offset pistons. Two pistons share one journal, with one offset to the other. Each has a different balance weight and the top of each piston is also angled to cope with the tight angles of the heads.
    Engineers insert the 12 offset pistons. Two pistons share one journal, with one offset to the other. Each has a different balance weight and the top of each piston is also angled to cope with the tight angles of the heads.
  • The complexity of the geometry to ensure each piston arrives at the right time, and at the right angle, would require a doctorate and a serious protractor – but by doing this, the designers have ensured that the W12 is incredibly compact.
    The complexity of the geometry to ensure each piston arrives at the right time, and at the right angle, would require a doctorate and a serious protractor – but by doing this, the designers have ensured that the W12 is incredibly compact.
  • The joy of the latest GT Speed is in the chassis, suspension and AWD system. A combination of granite build quality, massive grip and very clever electronics, it holds on to the road like a limpet.
    The joy of the latest GT Speed is in the chassis, suspension and AWD system. A combination of granite build quality, massive grip and very clever electronics, it holds on to the road like a limpet.

Motoring

In pictures: Bentley GT Speed

James Ohara

September 04, 2014

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Take a closer look at the new Bentley GT Speed. All photos by James Lipman for The National.

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