Bentley Continental GT hybrid: Luxury redefined with electric power

Bentley Continental officially enters the hybrid era. It has been revamped and refreshed, and its drive system is the most powerful ever used in the brand's production cars.

Is this the new Batur? No, it's the refreshed Continental GT. However, Bentley's designers were inspired by the limited model, and there's nothing wrong with that. The Continental appears lighter and more dynamic while maintaining a luxurious character.

The heavily redesigned body hides entirely new technology. Bentley has bid farewell to the iconic W12 and the classic V8. The eight-cylinder engine remains but with electric support. The hybrid setup impresses with its specifications - 776 horsepower and 1,000 Nm of maximum torque speak for themselves.

As a benefit of a plug-in, the car is also capable of running on electricity alone - a maximum range of about 80 kilometres. Other performance figures are impressive, too - zero to ninety-seven kilometres per hour appears on the speedometer in 3.2 seconds for the coupe and 3.3 seconds for the GTC convertible. The new Bentley will reach a maximum speed of 285 kilometres per hour.

The manufacturer does not boast about how much the car weighs and is ready to drive. However, it does inform about a nearly ideal weight distribution of 49:51, which, combined with active suspension, should result in excellent handling. The rear-wheel steering system also contributes to manoeuvrability and agility.

All this is packaged in a heavily refreshed bodywork characterised by sleek lines and exceptionally interestingly designed headlights. The narrow rear lights also look good.

Inside, there is slightly less happening, which remains essentially unchanged. However, the cabin's appearance depends primarily on the chosen configuration, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of possible combinations.

We will get to know this model better when it debuts in showrooms. The first units should reach customers later this year.