Bentley Continental GT S 2027: The W12 Is Gone — Here Comes the PHEV
The 2027 Bentley Continental GT S retires the legendary W12 and introduces a plug-in hybrid V8 system producing 680 combined horsepower and 686 lb-ft of torque — more powerful than the engine it replaces, with up to 50 miles of all-electric range.
Por: Danniel Bittencourt
07/05/2026
2027 Bentley Continental GT S: The Hybrid Generation Arrives Faster — and More Controversial
The W12 is officially retired. After more than two decades as the beating heart of the Continental GT family, Bentley’s twelve-cylinder engine has been put to rest — and the replacement isn’t here to apologize for anything.
The 2027 Bentley Continental GT S marks the fourth generation of the model and introduces a high-output plug-in hybrid architecture that, according to Bentley, surpasses the previous W12 Speed in horsepower, torque and acceleration. The system pairs a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 with a 190-hp electric motor, delivering 680 combined horsepower and 686 lb-ft of torque.
The GT S has always held a specific place in the Continental lineup: more driver-focused than the base GT and the Azure, less extreme than the Speed or the track-ready Supersports. The target buyer is typically in their 40s or 50s — an executive or entrepreneur who prefers to drive themselves and won’t compromise on technology.
Its closest rivals are the Aston Martin DB12 and the Ferrari Roma — both pure combustion-engine cars, and increasingly at a disadvantage as European low-emission zones continue to expand.
Dark Chrome Delete and Forged Wheels: The GT S Visual Identity
The GT S body carries the classic proportions Bentley inherited from the 1952 R-Type Continental — long hood, rearward cabin, muscular rear haunches. What changes here is the chromatic treatment: everything that once shimmered in silver has been blacked out.
The massive matrix-pattern front grille, one of the model’s most recognizable design elements, appears fully darkened under the standard Blackline Specification. Window surrounds, the Flying B badge and the BENTLEY lettering on the trunk lid all receive the same treatment. The visual effect is immediate: the car reads lower, denser, more composed.
On the flanks, 22-inch forged ten-spoke wheels are the GT S signature. They can be specified in solid black or with bright-machined faces. Behind the wheels, brake calipers in vivid red or Monaco Yellow are the only deliberate color accent in the entire profile.
The front headlights feature Bentley’s Precision internal structure — reserved for the sportier variants in the lineup. The internal architecture resembles cut crystal and delivers a sharper, more focused look than the previous generation’s units. At the rear, darkened oval taillamps frame a redesigned bumper and a sport dual exhaust — which, with the optional Akrapovic package, gains dedicated cutouts integrated into the diffuser.
The result isn’t aggressive in the Italian sense of the word. It’s a kind of armed elegance — restrained on the surface and absolutely deliberate in every detail.
Inside the GT S: Where a Private Members’ Club Meets a Performance Cockpit
Stepping into the GT S presents a well-resolved contradiction: an interior that feels like a high-end reading room, with hand-stitched details that make clear this car was engineered to be driven hard.
The dashboard defaults to hand-polished Piano Black veneer — deeply reflective, without a single visible bubble or distortion. Real metal air vents with diamond-knurled edges and leather-wrapped belt buckles signal that Bentley still approaches “invisible detail” at a level few competitors bother to match.
The front seats combine hide sourced from bulls raised in cold climates — which minimizes insect markings and produces more uniform surfaces — with Dinamica microsuede. The material appears strategically on the steering wheel rim, gear selector and seat centers: exactly where the driver’s body makes contact during high-lateral-load cornering. The intent isn’t purely aesthetic — it’s functional.
The Rotating Display and 2,200 Watts You Feel in Your Spine
The infotainment system centers on Bentley’s Rotating Display, an electromechanical mechanism that conceals a 12.3-inch touchscreen behind a Piano Black panel. One press reveals the screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Another press rotates it again — this time showing three classic analog gauges: compass, chronometer and outside temperature. It’s the only solution in the segment that lets the driver completely eliminate the digital presence from the dashboard.
The Naim for Bentley audio system delivers 2,200 watts through 18 speakers. Active bass transducers embedded in the seat structures let the driver physically feel the lower frequencies — this isn’t sound reinforcement; it’s haptic feedback.
The cabin’s most underrated strength is acoustics: laminated glass reduces external noise by 9 decibels compared to conventional glazing, creating a near-laboratory silence that makes the audio system sound even better.
The real limitation is the trunk: 260 liters, or roughly 9.2 cubic feet. The 25.9 kWh battery pack occupies space that previously handled luggage for extended road trips. For context, many compact sedans offer more cargo room. The “Grand Tourer” name takes its biggest hit right here.
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680 HP and 686 lb-ft: The Hybrid V8 That Proves Fewer Cylinders Can Mean More of Everything
The GT S engine is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 with a crossplane architecture, high-pressure direct injection and 32 valves. The twin-scroll turbochargers sit inside the hot “V” of the block — an engineering choice that shortens exhaust gas travel and, in practice, reduces turbo lag at the throttle. On its own, the V8 produces 519 horsepower and 568 lb-ft of torque from 2,300 rpm.
Paired with it, the electric motor contributes an additional 190 horsepower and 332 lb-ft of instantaneous torque — without waiting for the turbos to build pressure. That electric fill is precisely what eliminates any sensation of a power gap, especially between 1,500 and 3,000 rpm where conventional turbo engines are still catching up.
The combined output — 680 horsepower and 686 lb-ft — flows through an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The 0-to-60 mph run takes 3.4 seconds, with a top speed of 190 mph. For a vehicle weighing between 5,400 and 5,420 pounds, those numbers genuinely challenge the laws of physics.
In full-electric mode, the GT S covers up to 50 miles (WLTP cycle) at speeds up to 87 mph before the V8 wakes up. The onboard 11 kW charger replenishes the 25.9 kWh battery in approximately 2.6 hours on a Level 2 outlet.
Fuel economy on the combustion engine runs between an estimated 25 to 30 mpg in mixed driving. With an 80-liter tank, the car’s long-distance touring credentials remain intact — as long as the battery is charged for city segments.
Specs at a Glance — 2027 Bentley Continental GT S
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4.0L twin-turbo V8, plug-in hybrid |
| Combined Output | 680 hp |
| Combined Torque | 686 lb-ft |
| Electric Motor | 190 hp / 332 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-speed DCT |
| 0–60 mph | 3.4 seconds |
| Top Speed | 190 mph |
| EV Range (WLTP) | Up to 50 miles |
| Battery Capacity | 25.9 kWh (gross) |
| Level 2 Charge Time | ~2.6 hours (11 kW) |
| Curb Weight | 5,401–5,420 lbs |
| Cargo Volume | 9.2 cu ft |
How Much Does the 2027 Bentley Continental GT S Cost — and What Does That Price Actually Include
In the United States, the Continental GT S starts at $296,150 for the coupe and climbs to $325,250 for the convertible GTC S. Add the most commonly ordered options — carbon ceramic brakes ($18,000), upgraded Naim audio ($8,000) and bespoke Mulliner paint — and the final invoice frequently approaches $380,000 to $395,000.
Annual ownership costs deserve serious attention. A full set of 22-inch Pirelli P Zero tires runs between $4,000 and $6,000 installed. Brake pads per axle reach $2,500. The combination of a high-output V8, a high-voltage hybrid system, a 48-volt secondary network and active air suspension creates multiple layers of diagnostic complexity that requires Bentley-certified technicians.
Insurance falls into what carriers classify as “High Net Worth Coverage.” Standard auto insurers typically decline the risk without a specialty broker involved. Annual premiums typically run between 2.5% and 4% of the vehicle’s insured value — which, on a fully-specced GT S, means somewhere between $9,500 and $15,800 per year depending on your driver profile and coverage structure.
Is it worth buying at launch? For buyers who rely on the factory warranty as financial protection, yes — it’s the lowest technical-risk window. Waiting for the market to cool rarely produces bargains in this segment: depreciation is real, but parts scarcity and post-warranty maintenance curves eat most of the savings from a used purchase.
The ideal buyer profile is straightforward: someone who drives their own car, lives in a city with low-emission zones, and wants the most technically sophisticated point in the Bentley lineup without paying the Speed premium.
Every Question Buyers Ask Before Purchasing the 2027 Bentley Continental GT S
What is the real-world fuel economy of the 2027 Bentley Continental GT S? With a full charge and predominantly electric driving, fuel consumption can be essentially zero on short commutes. Running on the V8 in mixed driving, the estimated figure is 25 to 30 mpg — strong for a 5,400-pound luxury coupe.
Who are the main competitors of the 2027 Bentley Continental GT S? The closest rivals are the Aston Martin DB12 and the Ferrari Roma, both pure combustion V8s with rear-wheel drive. The Porsche 911 Turbo S competes on performance numbers, but occupies a very different space in terms of cabin luxury and grand touring intent.
Is the 2027 Bentley Continental GT S available in the US? Yes — the GT S is part of Bentley’s official US lineup and available through authorized dealerships. Delivery timing and allocation may vary by region and specification.
Does the GT S charge at home? Yes. The onboard 11 kW charger is compatible with standard Level 2 home charging equipment. A full charge from empty takes approximately 2.6 hours.
Is the 2027 Bentley Continental GT S Worth the Investment?
For anyone who wants the most balanced Bentley in the current lineup, the GT S is the most defensible answer. It delivers the same chassis hardware as the Speed — 48-volt active roll bars, electronic limited-slip differential, four-wheel steering — paired with a 680-hp hybrid powertrain that already outperforms the old W12 in nearly every measurable metric.
This is not a car for buyers seeking financial rationality. Maintenance is expensive, insurance is substantial, and a 9.2-cubic-foot trunk contradicts the “Grand Tourer” badge on longer road trips.
But for the driver who takes the wheel personally, lives in a city with emissions restrictions, and wants the most technically compelling point in the Bentley range without the Speed’s price premium — the GT S is exactly where logic and desire finally agree.
It’s the hardest Bentley to argue against. And the easiest one to want.
