Performance Review: Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible 6.0 W12 - [2013]

Figures & Specs Summary:

Bentley Continental Performance Review.

Introduction:

This edition of the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible 6.0 W12 is the 8 speed / Auto version and was first brought out in 2013. This was at around the same time as the introduction of the 2014 Tesla Model S P100D Ludicrous Performance and the 2014 Koenigsegg One 1 5.1 V8 Twin Turbo.This particular Bentley Continental has a 5998cc Turbo Petrol powerplant with 12 cylinders in a W formation.

Alternative Petrol W12's includes the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo

The Continental shares its Petrol W12 engine configuration with the likes of the 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports 6.0 W12 Bi Turbo and the 2017 Bentley Continental GT 6.0 W12 Turbo. If you're looking for other fast cars which share the Continental's All Wheel Drive, Cabriolet combination then how about the or the .

Power and Weight:

Weighing in at 2495 kgs (5500 lbs) this makes the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible 6.0 W12 in the same weight category as the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 or the give or take 50kg.

The Bentley Continental shares the same bhp with the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp)

In terms of power the 5998cc 48V W12 engine produces 616 bhp (459 kW) @ 6000 rpm similar to the 2023 Ferrari Roma Spider 3.9 V8 Turbo (611 bhp) or the 2023 BMW X5 M Competition 4.4 Turbo F95 (616 bhp).

The Turbo W12 throws out 590 lb-ft (799.9 Nm) @ 2000 rpm placing it with cars of similar torque performance figures such as the 3996 Bentley Continental GT 4.0 V8 Turbo Convertible (568 lb-ft) or the 2023 McLaren 750S Spider 4.0 V8 Twin Turbo (590 lb-ft).

Power to Weight:

If one combines the weight with power or torque performance for the Bentley Continental you can get a better idea of it's real world performance.

The 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (271.8 bhp per ton) has similar Bhp Per Ton stats as the Bentley Continental.

The Bentley Continental has a Power to weight ratio of 246.8 bhp per ton and 236.4 lb-ft per ton. Bhp Per Ton figures of the 2013 Continental competing with the 2021 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (271.8 bhp per ton) or the 2007 Nissan Skyline R35 GTR (271.8 bhp per ton).

Power to Weight(cont.):

If you agree with the late great Carroll Shelby then arguably an even better indicator of potential performance, Torque. Use weight as well and you end up with - Torque per ton, with the Bentley Continental generating around 236.4 lb-ft per ton. If you're curious as to what other cars have as much torque to weight then look no further than the 2018 Alfa-Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio 2.9 V6 Bi Turbo (261.3 lb-ft per ton) or the 1966 Oldsmobile Starfire 7.0 V8 (261.2 lb-ft per ton).

Acceleration:

With a 0-60mph time of 4.10 secs or a 0-100km/h (0-62mph) of 4.2 secs, this made the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible 6.0 W12 as fast as the 2024 Ford Mustang Dark Horse 5.0 V8 (4.10 secs) the 2022 Lotus Emira First Edition 3.5 V6 Supercharged (4.10 secs) the 2022 BMW XM 4.4 V8 Twin Turbo G09 (4.10 secs) the or the 2022 BMW 2 Series M2 3.0 Twin Turbo G87 (4.10 secs). This Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible 6.0 W12 is also faster than the 2022 Ford Mustang GT 5.0 V8 (4.20 secs) the 2021 BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive 3.0 Turbo G42 (4.20 secs) the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 5.2 V8 (4.20 secs) the and the 2020 Lotus Elise Sport 220 1.8 Supercharged (4.20 secs).

Quarter Mile time is a close race between the Continental and the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst

When talking about the performance of the Bentley Continental on the drag strip it can reach a quarter mile in an estimated 12.6 secs @ 108.6 mph. Similar performance down the quarter mile can be found with the the 2002 Mazda RX7 Type-R Bathurst (12.55 secs), the 2013 BMW X5 4.4 V8 XDrive50i (12.55 secs), and the 1969 AMC AMX 6.4L V8 7030 (12.59 secs).

Top Speed:

Modern performance cars are often artificially restricted to 155mph. The 2013 version of the Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible 6.0 W12 has a maximum speed of 202mph.

Top Speed of the 2013 Continental equals the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph)

If maxing out your car on the AutoBahn is your thing and you're wondering what's faster than the 2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible 6.0 W12 then how about the 2005 Pagani Zonda F (214 mph), the 2006 Ascari A10 5.0 V8 (215 mph), or the 2017 Ford GT 3.5 V6 Bi-Turbo (216 mph).

Related Links:

2013 Continental Rivals List.

A Brief History of Bentley

Car Comparison