KEY POINTS:
Bentley has resurrected its historic 'Speed' badge with a beefed up new version of the GT.
The Continental GT Speed is the most powerful production Bentley to date, with 449kW on tap and a top speed of 326km/h. It's the first from the exclusive stable to pass the magic 200mph mark.
Its massive six-litre W12 delivers 750Nm of torque from a low 1750rpm - enough to propel the porky 2350kg Bentley to 100km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
For the 2008 model year, there have been a few exterior revisions, including a wider and lower air intake, which, aside from getting enough air in the engine to scare its blue blood buyers, gives it a more aggressive look from the front.
Suspension has been treated to an upgrade, with adjustments to swaybars and the computer controlled self-levelling air suspension giving the big-money all wheel drive Continental more positive steering and a slightly stiffer ride.
This has also dropped the ride height, suiting the racier look of the new 20-inch, Pirelli PZero-wrapped rims.
Inspiration for the GT Speed came from the company's legendary models of the 1920s.
The standard Bentley 3-litre had already won the company fans, but founder W O Bentley decided a more potent version would appeal to driving enthusiasts.
It did, and the 'Speed' model, with its twin SU carburettors and high compression engine, became one of the most sought-after Bentleys for collectors.
