2009 Bentley Continental GTC Speed
January 7, 2009 by Karl Peskett
CarAdvice recently brought you spy shots of the forthcoming Continental GTC Speed – well, now it’s here, official, and stunning.
The recent changes to the GT series to add the Speed nameplate has continued with the GTC Speed receiving the same 449kW W12 engine as in the Continental GT Speed and Continental Flying Spur Speed.
That means this handcrafted convertible has 12-cylinders, two turbos and a whole lotta grunt, to get it from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds. The new GTC Speed also claims the title as Bentley’s most powerful convertible ever built. All that power doesn’t mean you have to skimp on driver comfort, though.
The GTC Speed retains its GTC sibling’s trademark leather and wood interior, whilst adding a quilted hide treatment, drilled alloy pedals, a dark chrome grille treatment, and wider, rifled exhaust outlets – all falling in line with similar additions to the rest of the Speed range.
What’s really interesting, though, is the GTC Speed’s roof, which although goes up and down in 25 seconds, still allows a top speed of 322km/h when up. The aerodynamics of the car are excellent, too, as even with the roof sunk into the boot, you can still reach 312km/h. Genuine hold-onto-your-hat material.
The rear seats are actually usable, too, being a genuine 2+2 seater. The 2009 version of the ‘regular’ GTC also has had some improvements, the most notable being a revised steering system for improved feedback and feel.
The GTC also features a more upright grille, and optional radar based ‘follow-to-stop’ cruise control system. New interior and exterior colours round out the updates.
Bentley Australia says that there is no definite date for a local release, or local pricing, however as soon as we know, you’ll know.
Print it: 
Lovely, I think I would prefer one over the coupe. In fact, I would really like one but I could never justify it especially when they loose value like they do. I’d rather wait a year and buy an unloved one for 40,000 pounds less with about 10,000 miles on the clock. Still love those wheels.
Was going to say “Great British Car” but it’s German. Guess all the premiership footballers have their’s ordered already…. thats my excuse for not wanting one, I wouldn’t want to be mistaken for a Chav!!
Cupid, at least all the footballers will loose interest in about a year and it will be OK again. And it’s still a tasteful car because all the footballers change the wheels and put body kits on them. It’s still OK to have an original one. As long as you don’t get a white or a black one. Get one with some taste.
Guess those footballers will be locked up anyway as most seem to beat folk up in bars and take giggly girls to their hotel rooms then find it strange when they get complaints to the Police made about them. As you can tell I have no time for overpaid egotistical boys.