Bentley revealed this week the performance version of the Continental GT V8, which is called simply S. The Bentley Continental GT V8 S is going to be available both as a coupe and a convertible and it will go on sale in early 2014. The world debut of the new model is going to take place next week at the 2013 Frankfurt auto show. The Continental GT V8 S is powered by the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, which is equipped with direct injection and cylinder deactivation. The Conti GT V8 S develops 521 bhp / 528 PS / 389 kW at 6,000 rpm and 680 Nm / 502 lb.ft. of torque at 1,700 rpm. With the extra power, the coupe version of the Continental GT V8 S is able to accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.5 seconds, while the convertible is able to reach the same speed in 4.7 seconds.
The coupe has a top speed of 192 mph / 309 km/h, while the convertible is able to reach a maximum speed of 191 mph / 308 km/h. The full specifications of the Bentley Continental GT V8 S are available lower down this page.
Apart from the extra power, Bentley's Continental GT V8 S features a lowered suspension, a faster steering system, and a close-ratio ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox. Bentley says that the new Continental GT V8 S is able to run for as much as 500 miles (805 km) on a single tank of gasoline.
To improve the efficiency of the GT V8 S, Bentley improved several of its parts, such as the low friction bearings, the advanced thermal management, and the energy recuperation system.
In comparison to the regular V8, the Conti GT V8 S comes with a 10 mm lowered suspension, increased spring rates (45% front, 33% rear), revised damping, 70% stiffer bushes, and a 54% stiffer rear anti-roll bar. The steering and the Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system have also been recalibrated especially for the Continental GT V8 S.
The distinctive design features of the Bentley Continental GT V8 S include a new front splitter, new side skirts, a rear diffuser, a black gloss radiator grille, and 20-inch alloys.
The full specifications and details of the Bentley Continental GT V8 S are available here. Its price list is going to be announced at a later date.
Bentley Continental GT V8 S vide presentation:
