In a world where luxury often speaks louder than performance, the 2025 Bentley Continental GTC Speed dares to converse in both dialects. This isn’t just a convertible, it’s an automotive masterstroke; a handcrafted ode to motion, engineering, and elegance.
Exhaust Notes Australia’s two-day tour of Victoria’s scenic Yarra Valley didn’t just showcase a car, it revealed a lifestyle, where every curve of the road echoed its powerful stance and innovation.
Bentley’s journey began not in a garage, but in the skies. Originally known for producing rotary engines for British fighter planes during World War I, the company’s legacy in precision engineering lives on.
That aviation DNA is deeply embedded in every modern Bentley, from its iconic winged “B” emblem to its craftsmanship and performance. Sitting behind the wheel of the Continental GTC Speed, you’re not just part of a drive; you’re part of a century-old story.
Our test vehicle was coated in Tourmaline Green, a lustrous finish that morphs in tonality depending on the angle of sunlight. On the winding forest roads and fog-covered hill tops of Yarra Boulevard and Glenburn, it felt simultaneously stealthy and aristocratic.
The 22-inch five swept spoke black wheels gave the GTC Speed presence. In those quiet moments, with rain falling and trees arching overhead, the car’s dual character began to shine. Its four-layer fabric roof created a cocoon of silence.
Bentley promised coupé-like insulation, and they delivered. Wind, rain, road noise – all hushed to a whisper. In this silence, you can hear the roar of the engine and are swiftly reminded of the power and capabilities of this majestic beast.
With every twist and turn through Gembrook and Beaconsfield, the car reaffirmed its status not just as transport, but as a sanctuary. Inside the GTC Speed, linen-hued leather meets piano black dual-finish veneers in a dance of contrast and harmony.
The mood lighting, rotating Bentley display and knurled aluminum controls are a sensory feast. Mulliner’s welcome lamps greet you like a luxury boutique concierge. “Speed” embroidery hand stitched into the headrests reminds you this is the performance pinnacle.
Then there are the subtleties: diamond knurling finishes, contrast stitching across the dash and seats, and the self-leveling wheel badges that remain upright. Each detail is there not just to be seen, but to be appreciated.
Take the steering wheel, for example, crafted using bespoke needles and stitched by hand. It’s an act of quiet rebellion against the mass production era. Traditional artisanry lives here, down to the spacing of every thread, measured by fork before stitching begins.
A Bang & Olufsen system (a $9,685 upgrade) transforms the cabin into a concert hall. Whether you’re streaming jazz through foggy vineyards or rocking out in the open air, every note arrives with studio precision.
Bentley’s instrument cluster is a nod to both future and past. Twin digital displays coexist with tactile analog controls. It’s not just a layout, it’s a philosophical statement on how technology should serve tradition, not replace it.
The GTC Speed translates digital data into analog sensation. When switching drive modes, from Comfort to Sport, you’re not just adjusting ride quality. You’re changing the car’s personality.
The burly W12 of old has stepped aside for a cleaner yet no less brutal twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 plug-in hybrid setup. Producing 575kW and a mammoth 1000 Nm of torque, the PHEV system adds 140kW of electric punch.
That makes the GTC Speed not just fast, but future-ready. From dead stop to 100km/h in just 3.2 seconds, it’s supercar fast. But unlike vehicles defined that way, it doesn’t punish you for comfort.
Twin-chamber dampers and Bentley’s dynamic ride system allow the GTC Speed to corner with poise yet absorb bumps like a true cruiser. All-wheel steering tightens turns in tight spaces and expands confidence on sweeping bends.
Hybrid and EV driving modes offer up to 80km of silent, electric travel. Around Healesville, this meant gliding through wine country lanes with zero emissions, embracing serenity as a feature, not an exception.
A ZF 8-speed transmission keeps things smooth, whether crawling through weekend traffic or flying down highway straights. Paired with an electronic diff lock, active all-wheel drive and torque vectoring, the GTC Speed delivers surefooted handling despite its weight.
Four selectable drive modes let the driver tailor the car’s behavior. Whether touring solo with the top down or riding in regal silence with a passenger, it adapts not just to your driving, but to your lifestyle.
During our journey through misty hills and rain-slicked roads, the GTC’s convertible roof proved its worth. Bentley’s promise of noise isolation and structural integrity held up impeccably.
There were no creaks, no leaks, just the quiet swish of windshield wipers and ambient music as the car floated along Warburton’s wet twisties. Roof up or down, the cabin remains a personal retreat.
Front seat wellness features, the “neck scarf” and massage functions, reinforce Bentley’s philosophy: luxury is not just what you see, but how you’re made to feel. That’s the same whether parked under the stars at Balgownie Estate or roaring through Huberts Road.
Part of our journey included lunch at the Quarters, St Hubert Estate, which is where the GTC stands out like a grand tourer fit for royalty. It’s here that it’s clear the 2025 Bentley Continental GTC Speed merges luxury, speed, digital innovation and hand-built warmth.
This car isn’t just a grand tourer, it’s a road-bound masterpiece, a love letter to the road. Romance doesn’t come cheap though, and in the trim we tested, you’ll need to part with a staggering $874,504 (including LCT and GST).
Details like Tourmaline Green paint, self-leveling wheel badges, mood lighting, and the Touring Specification add tens of thousands, but they’re not frivolous. They’re investments into a car that is not just driven, but admired, photographed, remembered.
It’s backed by a 3-year unlimited kilometre warranty and roadside assist. 5-years maintenance is also included. You can find out more on the Bentley Motors website. To get a low rate finance quote, talk to Australia’s best reviewed car finance broker; Credit One.
To see a great range of vehicles for sale, check out OnlyCars.com.au.
Our test vehicle was provided by Bentley Motors as part of the Australian media launch for the 2025 Continental GTC Speed. Due to weather, we’ve used supplied images in some circumstances. Exhaust Notes Australia has not been paid to review this vehicle.
