that the Bentley Continental GT Speed was able to walk (very) quickly in a straight line already we knew. After all, this is “only” the fastest production Bentley ever (reaches 335 km/h). However, what we didn't know about were the drifter skills that the British brand was keen to promote.
Taking advantage of the former Comiso air base (once NATO's largest in southern Europe) in the Sicily region of Italy, Bentley created a route worthy of the videos of the “gymkhana” starring Ken Block.
The idea, it seems, came as soon as the Bentley communications team discovered that abandoned place nearly 30 years ago. At least that's what Mike Sayer, director of product communications at Bentley, tells us.
“After discovering this airbase for the launch of GT Speed, we decided to create a «gymkhana» style course. The next step was to project a film unlike anything we had done before (…) a yellow Bentley “gliding” in an abandoned air base is a new experience for us, but the result shows how dynamic the best Grand Tourer in the world has become. ”, said Sayer.
The Continental GT Speed
Filmed by David Hale, an award-winning filmmaker dedicated to the automotive world, with the help of fellow filmmaker and drone pilot Mark Fagelson, the three-minute video also features a 1952 Bentley R-Type Continental and a… Fiat Panda 4×4 of the first generation.
As for the Continental GT Speed used in filming, this one practically needs no introduction. Equipped with a massive 6.0 W12, the Continental GT Speed features 659 hp and 900 Nm of torque that are sent to all four wheels via an automatic eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
All of this allows you not only to reach 335 km/h but also to reach 0 to 100 km/h in 3.6s and, it seems, be able to easily drift in an abandoned air base.