Continental GT Speed: Ultra Performance Hybrid Delivers 771 HP and 80 km Electric Range in Montréal

The Bentley Continental GT Speed is now available with a powertrain that redefines luxury performance for urban environments. The new Ultra Performance Hybrid—a 4.0 L V8 paired with an electric motor—delivers 771 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. For drivers in Montréal, this hybrid architecture offers a practical advantage the outgoing W12 could never match: silent, electric-only departures from Westmount before unleashing full power on Autoroute 40.

The Continental GT Speed's plug-in hybrid system allows for approximately 80 km of pure electric range, enabling zero-emission driving through residential neighbourhoods, underground parking exits, and early-morning commutes. When you need to respect your neighbours—or simply enjoy the serenity of electric propulsion—the GT Speed obliges. Then, when the highway opens up, the V8 awakens with 771 hp and a 0–100 km/h sprint in 3.2 seconds.

Ultra Performance Hybrid vs. W12: Power, Efficiency, and Urban Civility

The W12 was a masterpiece of engineering, but it had no electric-only capability. Every cold start, every parking garage exit, every early-morning departure announced itself with 6.0 L of twelve-cylinder combustion. The new hybrid system changes that calculus entirely.

Key Hybrid Advantages:

• Silent Departures: Leave Westmount at 6 a.m. without waking the block
• Zero-Emission City Driving: Navigate downtown Montréal on electric power alone
• Instant Torque: Electric motor delivers immediate response before the V8 even engages
• Faster Acceleration: 771 hp surpasses the W12's 659 hp, cutting 0–100 km/h by 0.4 seconds

The hybrid architecture doesn't compromise performance—it amplifies it. The electric motor fills in torque gaps during gear changes, creating seamless acceleration that the W12, for all its smoothness, couldn't replicate.

Performance Architecture: How the Hybrid System Works

The Continental GT Speed's Ultra Performance Hybrid pairs a 4.0 L twin-turbocharged V8 with a 25.9 kWh battery pack and a 140 kW (187 hp) electric motor. The motor is integrated into the 8-speed dual-clutch transmission, allowing the system to operate in three modes:

1. EV Mode: Pure electric propulsion for up to 80 km, ideal for city driving and residential areas
2. Hybrid Mode: Seamless blending of electric and combustion power for optimal efficiency and performance
3. Sport Mode: Full 771 hp deployment, with the electric motor boosting acceleration and filling torque gaps

This architecture delivers more than just speed. The electric motor's instant torque compensates for turbo lag, creating a throttle response that feels more immediate than the naturally aspirated W12. During aggressive driving, the motor acts as a torque-fill device, ensuring uninterrupted power delivery through every gear change.

For Montréal drivers, this means:

• Silent morning departures from residential streets
• Zero-emission downtown errands without range anxiety
• Explosive highway acceleration when merging onto Autoroute 15 or 20
• Reduced fuel consumption during stop-and-go traffic on Rue Sainte-Catherine

Real-World Use Case: Westmount to Mont-Tremblant

Consider a typical weekend drive from Westmount to Mont-Tremblant. In the old W12, you'd start the engine, wake the neighbourhood, and burn fuel idling through residential streets. With the GT Speed hybrid, you depart silently on electric power, navigate Montréal's urban grid in EV mode, then engage the V8 once you hit Autoroute 15 North. The 80 km electric range covers your entire city driving, while the 771 hp V8 dominates the open highway.

Technology and Connectivity

The Continental GT Speed includes Bentley's latest infotainment and driver assistance systems, ensuring the hybrid powertrain is matched by cutting-edge technology:

• 12.3-inch Rotating Display: Three-position system featuring digital instruments, touchscreen infotainment, or a clean veneer panel
• Head-Up Display: Projects speed, navigation, and driver assistance alerts directly into the windscreen
• Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto: Seamless smartphone integration without cables
• 360-Degree Camera System: Surround-view monitoring for tight parking situations
• Adaptive Cruise Control with Traffic Jam Assist: Semi-autonomous driving in stop-and-go traffic
• Night Vision: Infrared camera detects pedestrians and animals in low-light conditions

For tech-focused buyers in Montréal, the GT Speed delivers the connectivity and driver assistance features expected in a modern luxury GT, without sacrificing Bentley's commitment to analogue craftsmanship.

Interior Craftsmanship: Bentley's Signature Luxury

The Continental GT Speed's cabin remains unmistakably Bentley. Hand-stitched leather, open-pore wood veneers, and diamond-quilted upholstery create an environment that prioritizes tactile luxury over minimalist austerity. The hybrid powertrain doesn't dilute this experience—it enhances it.

When operating in EV mode, the cabin is quieter than ever. Without engine noise, you hear the subtle details: the mechanical click of the air vents, the soft thud of the door closing, the precise engagement of the rotary gear selector. This is luxury at its most refined.

Why the Hybrid Suits Montréal Better Than the W12

Montréal's urban density, residential character, and proximity to open highways make it an ideal environment for the Continental GT Speed hybrid. The W12 was a magnificent engine, but it had no answer for:

• Early-morning departures from Westmount or Outremont
• Underground parking exits in downtown Montréal
• Stop-and-go traffic on Boulevard René-Lévesque
• Zero-emission driving through residential neighbourhoods

The hybrid system solves all of these while adding 112 hp and cutting 0.4 seconds from the 0–100 km/h sprint.

Experience the Continental GT Speed at Bentley Montréal

The Continental GT Speed redefines what a luxury grand tourer can be. With 771 hp, 80 km of electric range, and the ability to operate in complete silence, it's the first Bentley built for both urban civility and open-road dominance. Visit our team at Bentley Montréal to test drive the Ultra Performance Hybrid and discover how it transforms the driving experience in Montréal.