Last month, we got a brief test drive of the fourth-generation 2025 Bentley Continental GT, which, even under full camouflage, seemed like a minor update. However, it actually features 68 percent new components, making it the most significant redesign of a Bentley facade since the switch from dual to quad headlamps in the mid-20th century. The new design replaces the four-eyed look with a fierce dual “tiger’s-eye” appearance.

The previous Continental GT’s smaller outboard marker lamps, which could be seen as teardrops, have been replaced with narrower ovals divided by a horizontal element. This emphasizes the car’s width and gives it a focused look, akin to a tiger hunting. Below this line are three advanced LED projectors, while the rest of the lamp interior mimics the appearance of crystal or diamond facets, including LED light-piped elements along the bottom. This design is echoed in the rear lamps, which appear silvery gray when off and like giant faceted rubies when lit. The integration of ADAS sensors is less glamorous, with radar and other sensors looking like shiny bugs splattered across the various grilles.

Other design changes are more subtle and adhere to Bentley’s classic elements: the signature rear haunches that resemble a tiger’s hind legs, the “endless bonnet” line connecting these haunches to the front, and an overall sense of “upright elegance.” Minor revisions mainly serve to refine the already sophisticated design. The powerful A-line and rear haunches are highlighted by a deeper draw on the concave surface below each, achieved with slightly higher pressure from the stamping presses. New exterior colors like Gravity Gray and Tourmaline Green enhance the surface details by offering more contrast between illuminated and shaded areas. The decklid has been reshaped to reduce lift without needing a moving wing, eliminating the unsightly cutlines of the third-gen model. The GTC’s folding cloth top now has two more crossbows (seven in total), providing a smoother silhouette.

One of the 22-inch wheel designs for the Speed models, featuring a five-spoke design, resembles tiger claws gripping the road.

Inside, the new Continental GT is adorned with diamond quilting, stitching, and perforation, which fades toward the bottom of the seat insert. Brightwork can now be specified in black chrome for a sportier look, and there are numerous color combinations available, including striking mandarin orange accents. The center infotainment display retains its rotating mechanism, offering a “digital detox” mode with a wood panel or analog gauges. Three audio systems are available: a standard 650W 10-speaker setup, a Bang & Olufsen 1,500W 16-speaker version, and a Naim 2,200W 18-speaker masterpiece with active bass transducers in the seats and eight sound modes. The laminated acoustic windshield and side glass help contain the sound. Air quality inside and out is continuously monitored, with an air ionizer maintaining high air quality. The GPS alerts the climate-control system to activate recirculate mode before entering long tunnels.

The new Continental GT uses a completely new electrical architecture to support its 400-volt plug-in hybrid powertrain, making it Bentley’s most powerful road-going model ever. This new system brings other upgrades, such as advanced smartphone integration, connected-car services, and new remote monitoring and control functions like cabin preconditioning and car summoning. Certain apps can be permanently loaded into the in-car app studio, allowing services like Spotify and Zoom to function even without a phone present. The reconfigurable driver-information screen now shows a Tesla-like view of vehicles in the Conti’s own and adjacent lanes.

Orders for the 2025 Bentley Continental GT and GTC Speed start at $300,000, with deliveries beginning at the end of the year. It also holds the unique bragging right of setting an “underwater speed record” of 208 mph through the world’s deepest tunnel.

Specifications for the 2025 Bentley Continental GT Speed include a base price of $300,000–$330,000, a front-engine, all-wheel-drive layout, and a twin-turbo V8 engine paired with an electric motor for a combined 771 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque. The car is expected to weigh between 5,200 and 5,600 pounds, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.0-3.7 seconds and an estimated range of 50 miles on electric power alone and 534 miles combined. It goes on sale in late 2024.