Bentley Continental GTC Speed news - Class A - 2009

Responding sensibly to the delicate economic climate of early 2009, Bentley has just released details on its most powerful convertible ever, the 600bhp Continental GTC Speed.

Essentially the drop-top version of the GT Speed, the big convertible’s W12 engine gets a 48bhp jump over the sluggish stock GTC, meaning it’ll now hit 60mph in a scant 4.5 seconds, and manage 200mph with the roof up.

Roof down, you’ll top out at a mere 195mph which, disappointingly, may mean your rear-seat passengers actually still have their faces.

The GTC Speed also gets dropped suspension along with stiffer springs and dampers, as well as a new ‘Dynamic’ ESP mode, which allows ‘increased wheel slip at higher speeds’. Which, we believe, translates to ‘you’re on your own, sonny’.

Visually, there’s a new grille, bumper and air intakes at the front, with bigger tailpipes and a new bootlid spoiler at the back. 20-inch alloys and high-performance Pirelli tyres complete the picture.

The non-Speed GTC has also had a mild refresh, but it’s all about the Speed now. All £146,100 of it. Thank goodness for the new lower VAT rate, or that’d be, er, some more…