Jeremy Clarkson has shared his assessment of the new Bentley Continental GT S Hybrid, reflecting on its design, performance, and the evolving automotive landscape shaped by environmental regulations. His review contrasts the Continental GT S Hybrid with previous Bentley models and addresses the impact of new European Union (EU) emissions rules on high-performance vehicles.
Clarkson begins by noting his surprise at encountering two ostensibly different cars—the electric Nissan Micra and the electric Renault 5—that share nearly identical underpinnings, highlighting a puzzling strategy in modern car manufacturing. Shifting focus, he turns to the Continental GT S Hybrid, describing it as heavier and more complex than its predecessor but ultimately improved in certain respects.
The Continental GT S Hybrid replaces the previous W12 engine configuration with a turbocharged V8 paired with a hybrid electric motor, a transition driven by the EU’s stringent carbon dioxide emissions regulations. The previous W12 engine, despite its power and smoothness, was phased out partly due to regulatory pressure demanding reduced emissions and the inclusion of electrification in new vehicles. The new powertrain combines a 512-horsepower V8 with a 188-horsepower electric motor, delivering a combined output of 671 horsepower and 686 lb-ft of torque, enabling rapid acceleration.
However, Clarkson critiques the substantial weight increase resulting from the hybrid system and battery pack, with the vehicle tipping the scales at nearly two and a half tonnes. This additional mass, he suggests, impacts the car’s dynamics and practicality, including a reduced trunk space due to battery placement. While the hybrid system allows for quiet, emission-free driving over short distances on electric power alone, he questions the everyday utility of these features.
Despite these drawbacks, Clarkson praises the Continental GT S Hybrid’s luxurious interior, exquisite craftsmanship, and sophisticated styling. He highlights Bentley’s attention to detail, describing the cabin as “sumptuous and grown-up,” asserting that no other carmaker matches Bentley’s level of refinement. The car also offers customizable options, including the ability to deactivate some of the mandatory EU safety features, such as speed limiters and driver-assistance systems, which Clarkson regards as intrusive and costly.
On the road, the GT S Hybrid’s combination of four-wheel drive and four-wheel steering compensates for its bulk, allowing it to handle with surprising agility. Clarkson likens the experience to traveling in a stately “Palace of Versailles,” emphasizing that the car’s imposing presence and performance remain central to its appeal.
Clarkson concludes by reflecting on the role of such grand touring cars in a regulatory era often characterized by compromises. Drawing on a recent trip to Scotland—visiting the leather supplier in Bridge of Weir and a cattle farm in Melrose—he acknowledges the appeal of comfort and capability demonstrated by modern SUVs but suggests that given the choice, he would prefer the driving experience offered by the Bentley Continental GT S Hybrid for such journeys.