Bentley's Head of Chassis Dynamic Systems, Craig Nicolson, drove a 680 PS (671 hp) Continental GT S up the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hill, pushing the vehicle to approximately 9.5 tenths of its capability. This demonstration allowed him to highlight the car's dynamic character and engineering, particularly its balance between thrilling performance and Bentley's signature ride comfort. The drive involved brutal acceleration, precise cornering, and controlled slides, demonstrating the car's agility despite its substantial size. The Continental GT S can achieve 0-60 mph in 3.3 seconds.
Nicolson found the experience invaluable for interacting with VIP customers and sharing insights into the car's development. He emphasized the opportunity to showcase how Bentley designs vehicles to be communicative and enjoyable without being jarring, providing a "sovereignty of carefully judged ride comfort" suitable for long drives, combined with agility for engaging roads.
The 2026 Continental GT S features a V8 Plug-In Hybrid powertrain that combines a 512-hp twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with a 188-hp electric motor, delivering a total of 671 hp and 686 pound-feet of torque. It comes equipped with advanced chassis hardware, including an electronically limited-slip rear differential, active all-wheel-drive with torque vectoring, rear-axle steering, and the Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll system. These systems work in concert to provide both a stable, comfortable ride and dynamic handling, particularly in Sport mode where the car exhibits increased firmness, a rear-axle bias, and a 0.4-inch reduction in ride height.
Positioned as an entry point in the updated Continental family, the GT S is priced just under $300,000. It distinguishes itself visually with unique 22-inch wheel design, dark chrome trim, and tinted taillights. While sharing its powertrain hardware with other Continental models (with software tweaks limiting boost pressure compared to the 771-hp Speed variant), the GT S offers aggressive chassis programming akin to the top-spec Speed model, aiming to appeal to clients seeking a blend of performance and luxury. It weighs 5,421 pounds, yet is lauded for its expert control of body motions and quiet cabin.
