First look: Bentley Continental GTC Speed
Launching a new convertible in the middle of winter is a batty idea for most manufacturers, but Bentley - which recently moved its American headquarters right into Copley Square - looks right at home in the frost with this new Continental GTC Speed.
Outfitted with 600 horsepower (up 48 from the regular GTC), 20-inch wheels, and a 200-mile-per-hour top speed (only 195 with the top down), the GTC Speed shares the upgrades already fitted to the GT Speed coupe and Flying Spur Speed sedan. Bentley expects two-thirds of GTC buyers will opt for the Speed edition next year, which should add at least $25,000 to the "base" model's $194,000.
Last year, members of the New England Motor Press Association slogged the standard Continental GTC through the slush and named it the best "Extreme All-Weather Vehicle" in their annual winter vehicle awards. Without all-wheel drive, the big Bentley wouldn't have stood a chance around here.
The California crowd, of course, could care less about winter performance, but what's a $200,000 convertible if you can't get it out of your garage?
Go to the full entry for more photos of the GTC Speed and its Boxster RS 60 color scheme.
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about boston overdrive
Boston.com reports the latest trends, auto shows and wrings out the newest cars in our city's hellish maze - and across the great roads of New England.In the garage: 2008 MBTA Zone 1A monthly pass, 1995 21-speed Iron Horse. Bill Griffith is an automotive correspondent for The Boston Globe and has reviewed cars for 10 years. He was also the Globe's assistant sports editor for 25 years and the paper's sports media columnist.
In the garage (over the years): 1956 T-Bird, 1959 Nash Metropolitan, 1980 El Camino, 1997 supercharged Camry TRD.
