Bentley Continental GT (3rd gen)
2018–2024 · Bentley Continental GT (3rd gen) — Grand Tourer, W12 Twin-Turbo, designed by Stefan Sielaff.
The Story
If the first two Continental GTs proved Bentley could build a luxury bruiser, the third-generation car of 2018 proved it could build the definitive one. Designed under Stefan Sielaff and previewed by the gorgeous EXP 10 Speed 6 concept, it was sharper, lighter and cleverer — the first production car with an entire body-side Superformed in aluminium, and home to that party-trick rotating dashboard.
The motoring press, often sniffy about big GTs, fell over themselves. With 626 hp from the W12 (650 in the later GT Speed) it waft-or-plays at will — and, as Top Gear put it, walks that line perfectly.
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Stefan Sielaff
German designer, most of his career at Audi (Head of Audi Design under Walter de Silva), a spell at Mercedes-Benz, then Bentley Director of Design 2015–2021 (3rd-gen Continental GT, Mulliner Bacalar); since with the Geely Group.
Studio Motors POV
The benchmark modern grand tourer, full stop — and the W12 cars are the ones history will want. If you buy one Bentley to actually drive far, this is it.
The Engine
Volkswagen Group 6.0 W12 (Twin-Turbo)
Lineage
Where it sits in the bloodline
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About Continental GT (3rd gen)
Worth Knowing About the Continental GT (3rd gen)
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1. It was the first production car with an entire body-side made by the Superforming aluminium process, enabling its razor-sharp feature lines.
- 2. The dashboard hides an industry-first rotating display — veneer, a 12.3-inch screen, or three analogue dials.
- 3. Its 'Côtes de Genève' cabin finish, inspired by mechanical watch movements, was an automotive first.
5 Fast Facts
- 1. W12: 626 hp, 664 lb-ft, 0-60 3.6s, 207 mph (GT Speed later 650 hp / 208 mph).
- 2. >80 kg lighter than gen-2; 48-volt active anti-roll (Bentley Dynamic Ride).
- 3. Designed by Stefan Sielaff, previewed by the 2015 EXP 10 Speed 6 concept.
- 4. Porsche Panamera-derived MSB platform.
- 5. Near-unanimous critical acclaim from the UK press.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
No clean 3rd-gen-specific documented celebrity owner verified. The Continental GT line’s famous moments belong to earlier cars — Prince’s baby-blue 2006 GT (1st gen) displayed at Paisley Park, and Idris Elba’s 2015 UK speed record at Pendine in a GT Speed (2nd gen).
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The W12 for theatre (and as a retired engine), the 4.0 V8 for agility; the GT Speed for the full 650-hp experience. Watch tyres, brakes, the 48V system and air suspension — and prize a documented history.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Bentley Continental GT (3rd gen)
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 2018–2024
- Units built
- per-generation figure not separately disclosed
- Variants
- V8 (4.0 Twin-Turbo, from 2019); GTC convertible; GT Speed; GT S; Mulliner; GT3 race car
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- W12 Twin-Turbo
- Engine family
- Volkswagen Group 6.0 W12 (Twin-Turbo)
- Displacement
- 5,998 cc (6.0 L)
- Power
- 650 hp
- Torque
- 664 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 3.5 s
- Top speed
- 208 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 290 hp/tonne · 7.6 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 8-speed dual-clutch
- Drivetrain
- AWD · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 4947 lb
Questions
Continental GT (3rd gen) FAQ
What are the specs of the 3rd-gen Bentley Continental GT Speed?
The 3rd-gen Continental GT Speed delivers 650 hp and 664 lb-ft from a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12, reaching 208 mph and 0-60 mph in 3.5 seconds via an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
What is the Bentley Rotating Display in the Continental GT?
The Bentley Rotating Display is a three-sided dashboard panel that switches between a 12.3-inch touchscreen, three analogue gauges, or a book-matched veneer panel. It comprises 153 components and took over three years to develop.
What platform does the 3rd-gen Bentley Continental GT use?
The 3rd-gen Continental GT is built on the VW Group MSB platform, shared with the Porsche Panamera. Superformed aluminium body panels make it over 80 kg lighter than the outgoing generation.
How much does a 3rd-gen Bentley Continental GT cost?
The GT Speed’s original MSRP was approximately $274,900 (2022); the base W12 started around $240,000. Pre-owned 3rd-gen examples trade in a wide range — some 2022-2023 cars below $180,000, top low-mileage/spec cars above $240,000.
Can I lease a 3rd-gen Bentley Continental GT?
Yes, specialty lenders structure collector-car leases on modern Bentleys regardless of age.
The Bentley Lineup
Explore every Bentley
3 Litre ’216½ Litre / Speed Six ’264½ Litre ’27Blower 4½ Litre ’29
R-Type Continental ’52S1 Continental ’55S-Type Saloon (S1/S2/S3) ’55S2/S3 Continental ’59
Mulsanne (1980) ’80Turbo R ’85
Continental R ’91Azure ’95Arnage ’98
Continental GT (1st gen) ’03Continental Flying Spur ’05Azure (2nd gen) ’06Brooklands (Coupé) ’08
Mulsanne (2010) ’10Continental GT (2nd gen) ’11Flying Spur (2nd gen) ’13Bentayga ’15Continental GT (3rd gen) ’18Flying Spur (3rd gen) ’19
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