Bentley has expanded the Continental and Flying Spur ranges with models beneath the 771-hp Speed, but the V-8 hybrid powertrain is still quite brawny.
- Bentley has a new “High Performance Hybrid” powertrain for the Continental GT, Continental GT convertible, and Flying Spur sedan for the 2026 model year.
- The powertrain is related to the 771-hp unit found in the latest Speed models but is detuned to 671 hp and 686 pound-feet of torque.
- The new setup will be offered in both the base models and the chrome-covered Azure trims of these luxury cars.
Last summer, Bentley refreshed the Continental GT by launching a new Speed model powered by a plug-in hybrid V-8 powertrain, replacing the long-running W-12 engine. The same system was subsequently added to the 2025 Flying Spur Speed as well. Now Bentley is supplementing the 771-hp Speed models with a less potent version of the V-8 hybrid setup, available on the Continental GT, Continental GT convertible, and Flying Spur sedan for the 2026 model year.
Bentley calls this the High Performance Hybrid powertrain, as opposed to the Ultra Performance Hybrid unit found in the Speed and Mulliner trims. In this new configuration, the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 engine and electric motor combine to crank out 671 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque. Although that is 100 fewer ponies than the Ultra Performance Hybrid, 671 horsepower is still more muscle than the W-12 engine produced in the previous Speed editions.
That still sizable amount of oomph allows the Continental GT to blast from zero to 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Continental GT convertible and Flying Spur sedan both require 3.8 seconds. The new Continental variants are also equipped with adaptive damping, rear-wheel steering, and an electronic limited-slip differential.
Bentley says the Continental GT plug-in hybrid can travel 53 miles solely on electric power, which is 10 miles more than Bentley claims for the Ultra Performance Hybrid setup. The convertible model is good for a claimed 51 miles. No range estimate was provided for the Flying Spur.
The new powertrain will be sold in what Bentley calls “core,” or base models, or the more luxurious Azure trim, which focuses on “wellness and comfort.” The new Bentley variants wear updated styling, with the “core” models dressed up in plenty of gloss black trim and sporting the same ornate headlights seen on the 2025 Speed models. The cabin can be had with either bright or dark chrome trim and look as luscious as ever.
The new Azure trims as distinguished by a bright chrome grille surround and vertical vanes, along with shiny trim in the bumper and a gloss black front splitter. There’s also a unique 22-inch wheel design and Azure badges on the front fender. The cabin receives diamond quilted leather and “Azure” embroidered on the headrests. The Continental GT Azure also gets a panoramic sunroof, while the convertible adds a neck warmer so you can still drop the top as the weather gets colder in the fall.
Bentley has yet to provide pricing for any of the new variants. The Continental GT Speed starts at $306,250 for the 2025 model year, so the new base model should be well below the $300,000 mark. The 2024 base model cost $245,850 while the Azure went for $294,450. The 2025 Flying Spur Speed, meanwhile, starts at $276,450, so we expect the new lesser Flying Spur to begin around $225,000 with the Azure around $260,000.
