One does not simply say Bentley Continental GT Speed without Jeremy Clarkson's catchphrase, or rather, catch-word, going at 150 mph through one's head. That aside, today we're witnessing a British icon face a Bavarian legend, the BMW M8 Competition. One of these superb specimens is made to impress the heck out of your in-laws with a lavished interior, good taste, and pizzazz, while the other prefers a more no-nonsense approach to "speeeeeeeed" and simply wants to win at any cost. Can you guess which is which?
Starting with the pride of Britain, we have the astounding 2024 Bentley Continental GT Speed. This modern-day spectacle on wheels doesn't just look ravishing inside and out, but what it has under the hood is just as important.
The brand-new Blue Fusion finish Bentley packs a superb-sounding 6.0-liter turbocharged W12 powerplant paired with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission system that sends power to all four wheels. The W12 delivers a whopping 650 hp or 659 ps with 664 lb-ft or 900 Nm of torque.
In some parts of the world, people have seen this thing in action hitting a max speed of 208 mph or 335 kph with a 0 to 62 mph (100 kph) acceleration time of 3.6 seconds. If you were expecting a faster 0 to 62 time, know that this thing isn't light, weighing in at 4,965 lbs. or 2,252 kilograms.
What's more impressive than its power output is the $391,610 price tag. Even more importantly, this model has the steering wheel on the correct side of the car, given that it's being driven on the proper side of the road.
The 2023 BMW M8 Competition Coupe is much lighter at 4,212 lbs. or 1,910 kg, which means a sizeable 753 lbs. (341 kg) weight difference. The M8 Competition proudly carries a 4.4-liter turbocharged BMW M TwinPower Turbo engine that outputs 617 hp (625.5 ps) with 553 lb-ft or 750 Nm of torque.
Photo: Edmunds Cars
It has less horsepower and torque, but it's also much cheaper than Bentley, starting at roughly $141,000. In no way, shape, or form does this mean the M8 is a slouch. The 8-speed automatic gearbox and AWD system can send this vehicle flying from 0 to 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 155 mph or 249 kph.
Before heading to the race, know that this is an Edmunds Cars U-drag race, which means the rules are a bit mixed. The two cars will head down the 1/4-mile, but instead of stopping, they will pull a 180 and make a U-turn while sprinting back to the line. Halfway through, the drivers will switch cars to keep things fair.
There were two cut-and-dry races, with the BMW M8 Competition Coupe coming out on top by a sizeable difference each time. However, for the 0-60 mph section, they both tied at 3.4 seconds. The straight 1/4-mile goes to the BMW with 11 seconds on the clock at 126.9 mph or 204.2 kph. The Bentley did it in 11.2 seconds at 124.6 mph (200.5 kph).
Overall, the M8 secured total victory, finishing the entire U-drag race in 32.6 seconds at 138.8 mph (223.3 kph), while the 2024 Bentley Continental GT Speed crossed the finish line in 33.4 seconds while going at 138 miles per hour or 222 kilometers per hour.
The bottom line is that while the superb British personal luxury vehicle is better equipped on paper, it proves yet again that not everything boils down to raw numbers.
Codrin just loves American classics, from the 1940s and ‘50s, all the way to the muscle cars of the '60s and '70s. In his perfect world, we'll still see Hudsons and Road Runners roaming the streets for years to come (even in EV form, if that's what it takes to keep the aesthetic alive). Full profile
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