Bentley is introducing a new performance flagship, its fastest production model ever, the Continental GT Speed coupe. Orders for the new GT Speed are being taken now, with deliveries to commence in October 2012.

At the heart of the new Continental GT Speed is an up-rated version of the unique Bentley 6-litre, 48-valve, four-cam, twin turbocharged W12 engine. For the new model, the W12 develops 625 PS (616 bhp/460 kW) at 6000 rev/min and 800 Nm of torque. The 0-60 mph sprint is dispatched in 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2s) and the GT Speed has a top speed of 205 mph (329 km/h).

The new Speed’s immense power is transmitted via a close-ratio, ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. The new gearbox also makes a significant contribution to an overall twelve per cent improvement in fuel economy and CO2 emissions.

Commenting on the new GT Speed, Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s chairman and chief executive says:“For nearly a decade, the Bentley Continental GT has defined high luxury, high performance grand touring and the unique W12 engine has been so successful that Bentley is now the world’s largest producer of 12-cylinder engines. The new GT Speed with its harder-edged, sportier character reaffirms this pinnacle positioning and continues to broaden the worldwide appeal of the Continental coupe.”

Ahead of deliveries this autumn, the GT Speed makes its international debut at the Goodwood Festival of Speed from 28th June until 1st July.