Bentley Continental GT Speed: The verdict

The legendary 6.0-litre W12 engine thumps out 625bhp in this form, backed up by an equally thumping 605lb ft from a barely-trying 1700rpm. The word ‘effortless’ comes to mind.

The familiar eight-speed ZF gearbox helps here, now with larger shift paddles to diminish the effort still further.

That’s one of very few changes to the interior. A new style of dashboard clocks is another, as is the stitching pattern on the Mulliner leather seats – which now adopt a diamond pattern to resemble a quilted gilet.

The effect is to make what was already a sumptuous interior… well, just as sumptuous, and now a little different. It’s magnificent to look at and everything you touch feels beautiful.

So does the business of actually driving the car. It’s completely docile around town, with no trace of unwanted urge despite the oceanic reserves of power and torque waiting to be unleashed, and a (very) fast cruise barely feels any different. It will of course get between one and the other almost instantaneously, albeit without any drama.

That might come when you try to make the most of all the power at your disposal. And not in a way you’re likely to enjoy much. The GT Speed is well named, because it’s a GT car with a lot of speed – not a supercar with track-bred handling.

Ultimately, the Continental is a big, heavy car, and it won’t fail to remind you of that fact if you carry too much pace into corners. It has variable-rate shocks which you can control from the driver’s seat, but these can only do so much.

This isn’t a car made for attacking apexes. Easy in, power out is the way to go. You’ll feel like you’re gliding along, but you’ll still be covering ground with enormous pace.

Thing is, the same could be said of the Continental V8 S. But while this doesn’t have quite the same ability to peel your eyelids back, it’s lighter enough on its feet to be more entertaining where it matters.

Be in no doubt that the GT Speed is an outstanding motor car and one in which, with a new rear spoiler rising behind you as the horizon disappears in your mirrors, the sense of occasion remains immense. But while it’s hardly relevant that the V8 means better economy, it also means bigger thrills. And in a sports car, even one with so much luxury, that matters.

2016 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Price £168,300

Engine W12, 5998cc, turbocharged, petrol

Power 626bhp at 6000rpm

Torque 605lb ft at 1700rpm

Gearbox 8-spd automatic

Kerb weight 2320kg

0-62mph 4.2sec

Top speed 206mph

Economy 19.5mpg (combined)

CO2/tax band 338g/km, 37%