Britain’s Best: 2009 Bentley Continental GT Speed

Does driving a car that carries an MSRP of $227,205 guarantee you are going to love it immediately?

Not me. By the time you cross the $100,000 threshold, the degree of specialness implied by the stratospheric price usually translates into flawed ergonomics, inferior controls and instrumentation, and the general unease that comes from having anything that expensive put under your custodianship (even temporarily).

So my first hours with the Bentley Continental GT Speed were a little uncomfortable. It wasn’t until the third day of my test period that I came to appreciate its unique virtues.

I was motoring north on Connecticut’s Route Eight late at night. Traffic was light, but I was unfamiliar with the road, which twisted as it went through old factory towns like Waterbury, and I was reacting slowly to the curves.

The Bentley took it all in stride. The 6-liter, twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine provided effortless power, while the perfectly-balanced steering guided me through the turns as the disciplined suspension kept me on an even keel.

All very nice, but why in 2009 would anyone even consider paying this much for a car?

One is exclusivity. Of the 13.1 million cars sold in 2008, only 2864 were Bentleys. That number will be alot smaller this year – sales so far are down 69% – and the number of Speed models smaller still.

Second is Anglophilia. Bentleys have been made in Britain since the 1920s. Although Bentley is now owned by Volkswagen and 55% of the Speed’s parts come from Germany, it is still assembled in Crewe, Bentley’s home since World War II. Hail Britannia!

Then there is provenance: The GT Speed traces its lineage to the Speed Six introduced in 1928, renowned for its powerful engine and lightweight chassis, and winner of the 24 hours of Le Mans. Bentley owners get a little piece of that history.

At 5,180 pounds, the GT Speed is no lightweight, but its performance is more than up to snuff. Should you have the opportunity to do so, 60 miles per hour arrives in 4.3 seconds, according to the factory, and top speed is 202 mph.

Nobody needs that much horsepower, nor an engine that gobbles a gallon of high-test every 16 miles. But having some Bentleys around is like having a tangible piece of automotive history. It is nice that there are a few drivers willing to foot the bill.