Bentley’s New Hybrid: 680 Horses and Just a Bit Less Roaring
This is the kind of news that makes you raise an eyebrow, sigh deeply, and quietly wonder, “Did I just read the word ‘hybrid’ next to Bentley?”
Yes. Yes, you did.
The Continental GT, its topless sibling GTC, and the stately Flying Spur have all received a slightly more civilized heart – the High Performance Hybrid. Which, to be clear, still means fast, luxurious, and dangerously elegant – but now... with a slight hint of green. Or greenish, at least.
At the core sits a 4.0-litre V8, once a fire-breathing dragon of 600 horsepower, now gently tamed to 520. To this is added a 190-horsepower electric motor, discreetly nestled into the 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox like a well-mannered valet – always ready, never in the way.
The total system output? 680 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque. A little less than the “Ultra Performance Hybrid” (which offers 750 hp), but still well beyond the threshold of "sensible.”
Swift Enough to Reshape Your Luggage
The Continental GT hits 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds, with the GTC a mere tenth behind – blame the wind. The Flying Spur manages a still-blistering 3.9 seconds, at which point your suitcase has likely shifted positions in the trunk… twice.
On electric power alone, the GT offers up to 85 km, the GTC 82 km – enough to silently glide through town, leaving behind an aura not of petrol fumes, but of generational wealth and excellent taste.
Refinement Meets Ridiculousness
Standard kit includes air suspension, active anti-roll bars, rear-wheel steering, and an electronically controlled limited-slip differential – making cornering feel so smooth your grandmother might finally enjoy fast driving.
And if that all sounds a bit too… restrained, there’s always the Azure package: think chrome everything, more gleaming trim than a jewelry display, and so much polished wood it could double as a luxury sauna.
How Much? Brace Yourself.
A Continental GT High Performance Hybrid starts at €211,000. That’s before options. No chrome. No fancy keys. No walnut-scented glovebox. And not even the satisfaction of knowing you could buy a whole village in Lithuania for the same price.
But you won’t. Because you want a Bentley. And honestly? Good on you.
This is a car for those who still want power, prestige, and craftsmanship – but have also, maybe, just maybe, started thinking about the planet. At least until you press the accelerator. And then... well, everything comes gloriously back.
