Verdict
A
GT · UK · 2003-Present
Bentley Continental GT
Bentley Continental GT — spec data and generation history.
Years
2003-Present
Generations
3
Segment
GT
Bentley's modern grand tourer — VW-era flagship. Three generations: Mk1 (2003-2011) — first generation, 6.0 W12 (552 / 600 / 630 bhp), Coupe and Convertible (GTC). Mk2 (2011-2018) — refined Mk1 styling, 6.0 W12 + 4.0 TT V8 (Audi-derived), Speed and Supersports trims. Mk3 (2018-Present) — MSB platform shared with Panamera, 6.0 W12 + 4.0 TT V8, Mulliner, Speed, GTC, Azure trims. PHEV V8 (Continental GT Speed PHEV) added 2024 with V8 + e-motor.
What changed
Era-to-era deltas
Mk2 2011-2018 → Mk3 2018-Present
BHP +126 bhp
Torque +200 Nm
0–60 mph −0.4 s
Top speed +11 mph
MPG +5 mpg
Generations
Click any generation for the full deep dive
2003-2011
Mk1
→
Supersports W12 — 621 bhp, 0-62 in 3.7s.
Verdict
B
BHP
621
0–60
3.7 s
Top
204 mph
MPG
17.0 mpg
Used
£14,000-£42,000
- + First modern Bentley GT
- + 6.0 W12 (552-621 bhp)
- − Coil pack failures
- − Air suspension cost
2011-2018
Mk2
→
Supersports W12 — 700 bhp, 0-62 in 3.5s.
Verdict
A
BHP
700
0–60
3.5 s
Top
209 mph
MPG
19.0 mpg
Used
£32,000-£82,000
- + Refined Mk1 styling
- + V8 option (Audi-derived 4.0 TT)
- − Mercedes infotainment dated
- − Air suspension cost
2018-Present
Mk3
→
GT Speed W12 — 650 bhp, 0-62 in 3.5s.
Verdict
A
BHP
650
0–60
3.5 s
Top
208 mph
MPG
20.0 mpg
Used
£82,000-£200,000
- + MSB platform (Panamera sister)
- + PHEV Speed PHEV from 2024
- − MIB infotainment age
- − Air suspension cost
Known issues by generation
Common faults reported on each generation — useful when shopping the used market.
2003-2011 · Mk1
- Coil pack failures
- Air suspension
- 6AT mechatronic
- Heavy fuel use
2011-2018 · Mk2
- Air suspension
- 8AT mechatronic
- GTC top motor
- V8 turbo seal failures
2018-Present · Mk3
- MIB infotainment age
- Air suspension
- PHEV charging port (Speed PHEV)
- 8DCT mechatronic
Rivals
Aston Martin DB12 · Ferrari Roma · Mercedes-AMG GT · Rolls-Royce Spectre