- For 2023, the Bentley Continental GT and GTC convertible are adding a new S trim for the V-8 models.
- While the engine remains unchanged, the S gains a sport exhaust and new 22-inch and 21-inch wheel designs.
- The exterior is decked out in black trim while the interior is two-tone, and S badges abound.
Bentley is sharpening its luxury cruiser with the new 2023 Continental GT S and convertible GTC S, with Bentley saying that the new submodels are catered to improving the "driving performance and visual presence." The S trim will only be available with the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8; the twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12 was excluded due to its hefty weight. The mechanicals remain largely the same, but the GT S and GTC S get bolder visual accents to help the opulent coupe stand out.
Horsepower and torque figures are unchanged, but that still means a healthy 542 ponies and 568 pound-feet. In Car and Driver testing, a 2020 model with the V-8 ran to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, mightily impressive for a car weighing around 5000 pounds. While the engine is the same, the S comes fitted with a standard sport exhaust that should help remind onlookers of the 542 horses that the V-8 beast is producing.
Visually, the grille and all other exterior trim is blacked out, including the S badge on the front fender, with only the Bentley logo and lettering remaining chrome. The headlights and taillights are also tinted, as are the quad exhaust pipes. The S is offered with two unique wheel choices: a 22-inch wheel that comes in either black or Pale Brodgar Satin, or a 21-inch design that features both black and bright finishes. Red-painted brake calipers peek out from behind the new wheel designs. The interior gains a two-tone look, plenty of sumptuous materials, and S badges embroidered on the headrest, and adorning the dashboard and door sills. Bentley has not revealed a price, but we imagine it will cost somewhere between the standard V-8 model’s $220,525 starting price and the Speed's $280,225 base cost, with the convertible adding about $20,000 to the price tag.
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.
