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New S versions of the Bentley Continental V8 coupé and drop-top get 521bhp and sharper handling

Bentley has created performance-focused S versions of its V8-powered Continental GT and GTC models. Both the Bentley Continental GT V8 S and GTC V8 S will reach the UK early next year, after today's public debut at the Frankfurt motor show.

The all-wheel-drive Continental GT and GTC V8 S models harness a 521bhp version of Bentley’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine. That’s 21bhp up on the standard V8, while torque gets a 15lb ft boost to 502lb ft.

The result is a drop in the GT V8’s 0-60mph time by 0.3sec to 4.3sec, and that of the Continental GTC by 0.2sec to 4.5sec. Top speed in both cars is up by 4mph - to 192mph for the coupé and 191mph for the convertible.

A sharpened ‘S’ mode is delivered through the close-ratio eight-speed automatic gearbox’s drive selector; throttle response is improved, gears are held for longer and the shifts are faster.

Accompanying the engine upgrades is a series of chassis modifications. The sports suspension sits 10mm lower, and the front spring rates have been increased by 45 per cent and the rears by 33 per cent over the standard car. The dampers are also revised for “a more engaging and responsive drive”. The bushes are 70 per cent stiffer and the rear anti-roll bar 54 per cent stiffer.

Other tweaks include a reworked steering system for sharper responses and better feedback, changes to the Continuous Damping Control system to try to preserve ride quality, and revisions to the ESC system to allow greater wheel slip before it intervenes.

Exterior styling changes add a front splitter, side sills and rear diffuser to improve the aerodynamics, a black gloss finish to the front grille and special 20in alloy wheels. There are subtle cabin revisions, too.

Click here for more Frankfurt motor show news.

Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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scorguie 13 September 2013

Bentley Reliability

Bentley can rabbit on as much as they like about performance, comfort and the like, but at the end of the day they still produce the odd car which fails to allow the owner the pleasures described in press releases and articles like these. My current GTC, the second I have owned, has been a disaster and short of telling me I do not use the car enough, Bentley refuse to accept there is anything wrong with the car. Their VIP managers approach has been disgraceful. It is clear the majority of cars produced live up to expectation, but on the rare occasion one fails to, their customers relations department simply have no idea how to manage the situation and adopt the stance that whatever the issues are, it is not of Bentleys' doing.
Read more https://www.facebook.com/pages/DUFF-Bentley-GTC/482527935102870

Demonic Soul 3 September 2013

S8 Engine

Sounds like its the same engine from the S8. Car and Driver in the USA put an S8 on a rolling road and the car was actually producing 575bhp. Almost makes the W12 obsolete?

Orangewheels 3 September 2013

more power...

I get the feeling there's plenty more to come from this turbo engine - I'm sure the VAG group will have built in incremental power increases up until the mid 600 bhp level in its design phase.

padam 4 September 2013

it is a great powerplant just

it is a great powerplant just needs to find its home in a lighter shell and maybe even in the middle so that it can really exploit itself.