2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed
What’s new
- For 2018, only the Continental convertible will be available
- Part of the second Continental generation introduced for 2011
Pros
- World-class interior craftsmanship and customization
- Smooth and strong power
- Standard all-wheel drive
Cons
- Not as nimble around turns as some rival exotics
- Rear seats are a tight fit for adults
- Lacks the latest advanced safety features
2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Which Continental does Edmunds recommend?
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
There's a new 2019 Bentley Continental Coupe set to go on sale this summer, which means this is the finale for this second-generation Continental production run. The 2018 Bentley Continental lineup will consist of just the convertible, but it will continue to be available with five engine varieties.
Unfortunately, the Continental has been showing its age lately since it lacks many of the latest advanced safety features and technological upgrades. While it still has plenty of performance, luxury, refinement and prestige, it's possible that you'll find a rival convertible to be more appealing.
2018 Bentley Continental configurations
The 2018 Bentley Continental is only offered as a convertible as a new 2019 coupe joins the lineup. The convertible comes in five versions: the GT V8, GT V8 S, GT, GT Speed and the Supersports. The GT V8 features the V8 engine, while the GT V8 S version makes a bit more power. The remaining Continentals all come with the W12 engine. The regular GT serves as the base. The line then expands with the Continental GT Speed, which has a more powerful W12, and the Supersports, which produces even more power. All Continental variants have an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Under the hood of the GT V8 is a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 that produces 500 horsepower and 487 pound-feet of torque. This allows the V8 to accelerate to 60 mph in a claimed 4.7 seconds. Standard feature highlights include 20-inch wheels, a fabric folding top, xenon headlights, an adaptive air ride suspension, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and an eight-speaker audio system with satellite radio. The GT V8 S increases power output to 521 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque.
The Continental GT uses Bentley's turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine, and here it produces 582 hp and 531 lb-ft of torque. One step up in terms of power and performance, the Continental GT Speed has a revised W12 good for 633 hp and 620 lb-ft of torque. The Speed receives 21-inch wheels and sits 10 mm lower thanks to a sportier suspension calibration.
At the top, the Continental Supersports takes the power levels up an additional notch to 700 hp and 750 lb-ft of torque by utilizing larger turbos and different internal hardware. The Supersports features the most aggressive suspension, transmission and stability control calibration, and it adds carbon-ceramic brake rotors and brake-based torque vectoring.
Added features for the V8 S, the GT Speed and the Supersports include gloss-black exterior trim, sporty exterior enhancements, a sport-tuned suspension and unique interior trim treatments. As with all Bentleys, buyers can choose from a dizzying array of exterior and interior colors, wheels, embroidery, stitching, piping and wood or metallic trim. Notable options across the lineup include an optional Naim premium audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot and adaptive cruise control.
Driving
Comfort
Interior
Utility
Technology
Consumer reviews
There are no consumer reviews for the 2018 Bentley Continental.
Features & Specs
Safety
Our experts’ favorite Continental safety features:
- Side-Mounted Airbags
- Helps prevent abdominal injuries in side-impact collisions by inflating airbags between the passenger and the door.
- Antilock Braking
- Prevents the wheels from locking up during panic or emergency braking. Keeps the wheels rolling, which promotes traction.
- Electronic Stability Control
- Keeps the car from going too far out of control by reducing throttle and applying braking to individual wheels.
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Bentley Continental vs. the competition
2018 Bentley Continental
2017 Aston Martin DB11
Bentley Continental vs. Aston Martin DB11
Both the Bentley and the Aston are emblematic British grand tourers, though the Continental does have two more seats. Both deliver rapid acceleration and sharp handling, but the DB11 is closer to the sports car spectrum and is more engaging as a result. Either choice will cost more than $200,000, but the Aston Martin gets an edge for being more up-to-date.
Bentley Continental vs. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
The S-Class convertible is positively futuristic compared to the Bentley, with a full complement of advanced safety features and automated driving systems. It also benefits from more modern infotainment features and accommodations. The Benz, however, doesn't have the same head-turning presence or hand-built charm as the Bentley.
Bentley Continental vs. Porsche 911
For the same price as the Bentley, you can get a loaded 911 Turbo S Cabriolet. But at that level, it's more of a supercar than a tourer. You can spend half as much for a more comfortable 911 that will have more modern features than what's available on the Continental. The problem is a Porsche 911 is comparably plebeian next to the exotic Bentley.
2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed for Sale
Get more for your trade-in
Edmunds shoppers get on average $235 more for their trade-in.
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See your car's valueIf you have a quarter-million dollars burning a hole in your pocket and you desire an ultra-premium luxury convertible, you don't have a lot of options. Fortunately, this class of cars is a showcase for craftsmanship, comfort and performance. One of the crown jewels in the segment is the Bentley Continental, which, for 2018, is only available as a convertible since the fully redesigned 2019 Continental Coupe comes to market this year.
The 2018 Bentley Continental lineup starts with the GT V8 and its 500-horsepower turbocharged 4.0-liter V8. It's mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive is included. Standard feature highlights include 20-inch wheels, a fabric folding top, xenon headlights, an adaptive air ride suspension, an 8-inch infotainment screen, and an eight-speaker audio system with satellite radio. The GT V8 S increases power output to 521 hp.
The Continental GT gets a 582-hp 6.0-liter W12 engine, while the GT Speed increases that output to 633 hp. The Speed also receives 21-inch wheels and sits 10 mm lower thanks to a sport suspension. The range-topping Continental Supersports turns the dial up to 700 hp and comes with the most aggressive suspension, transmission and stability control calibration and adds carbon-ceramic brake rotors and brake-based torque vectoring.
As with all Bentleys, buyers can choose from a dizzying array of exterior and interior colors, wheels, embroidery, stitching, piping, and wood or metallic trim. Notable options across the lineup include an optional Naim premium audio system, a Wi-Fi hotspot, adaptive cruise control, and a rearview camera.
After many years on the market, the Bentley Continental remains a desirable object to display your wealth, but it has since fallen behind the times when it comes to technology. A new coupe will lead the convertible to market, so if you want the latest and greatest, you may want to postpone your considerable purchase. The good thing is you have all of Edmunds' information and tools at your disposal to make the best decision for your sizable budget.
2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed Overview
The 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed is offered in the following styles: GT Speed 2dr Convertible AWD (6.0L 12cyl Turbo 8A).
What do people think of the 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed and all its trim types. 0 Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2018 Continental GT Speed.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed and all model years in our database. Our rich analysis includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2018 Continental GT Speed featuring deep dives into trim levels including GT Speed, etc. with careful analysis around pricing, features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving and performance. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Read our full review of the 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed here.Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed?
Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on new cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.
Which 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speeds are available in my area?
2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed Listings and Inventory
Simply research the type of used car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap used cars for sale near you. Once you have identified a vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed.
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Why trust Edmunds?
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including all models of the 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed and all available trim types: GT Speed. Rich, trim-level features & specs and options data tracked for the 2018 Bentley Continental GT Speed include (but are not limited to): MSRP, available incentives and deals, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (interior and exterior color, upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, cruise control, parking assistance, lane sensing, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy and MPG (city, highway, and combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (interior cabin space, vehicle length and width, seating capacity, cargo space). Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds expert review, safety rating, and color.
Should I lease or buy a 2018 Bentley Continental?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
Check out Bentley lease specials
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2018 Bentley Continental Information
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- 2018 Bentley Continental Consumer Reviews
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- 2018 Bentley Continental Review
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