In the Volkswagen Group’s pursuit of electrification, Bentley unveils its new, fourth-generation Continental GT and GTC Speed models in coupe and convertible body styles.

The latest generation uses 68% all-new components, and visually returns to a single front-headlamp design with 120 individual LED bulbs. The single-headlamp look is a design not seen in Bentleys since the 1950s.

Gone is the iconic W12 twin-turbo powerplant that previously powered the Continental GT and GTC models from 2003, seeing 21 years of service before bowing out very recently.

In its place is the VW Group’s venerable 4.0-liter V8 equipped with twin-scroll turbochargers, producing 584hp on its own. It is mated to a high-performance electric motor that outputs 187hp by itself.

Because of the hybrid design, the gasoline engine is simpler and more robust, with the electric motor filling in the response and the torque down low, thus allowing the engine to work less hard and allowing for a complete full-electric drive mode.

Combined system output is an impressive 771hp and a monstrous 1,000Nm of twist, representing a 19% increase in power and 11% increase in torque from its W12 predecessor.

From rest, 100km/h arrives in 3.1 seconds with a top speed of 335km/h for the coupe. This makes it the fastest and most powerful road-going Bentley model yet.

The GTC Speed convertible is ever so slightly slower, accelerating to 100km/h from rest in 3.4 seconds, and all the way to an electronically limited 285km/h Vmax so as not to blow away your toupee.

The Continental GT and the GTC Speed are also plug-in hybrids with a 25.9kWh battery that endows them with an impressive 87km all-electric range—with a 140km/h top speed.

Perfect for Metro Manila-traffic driving, in keeping with Bentley’s promise of an everyday luxury car with supercar performance.

The interior sees new 20-way adjustable seats with a new quilting pattern, something all Bentkeys are famous for. New interior features include the optional Wellness seating with postural adjust and auto climate to the front seats, minimizing fatigue and providing a level of relaxation that is truly unique.

The climate control is also extremely smart, syncing with your navigation system and automatically going into recirculation mode when entering a tunnel or—perhaps in our case—passing through a known dump site.

Three audio systems are available, from the standard 10-speaker 650W system to the Bang & Olufsen 16-speaker 1,500W surround sound and finally to a full concert-performance afforded by the 2,200W Naim high-fidelity system with 18 speakers.

Specially laminated acoustic glass is used all around to reduce noise by nine decibels from the outside, and allow you to savor your music in peace. That’s if you grow tired of the specially tuned V8’s sonorous wail.

Lastly, My Bentley App Studio is a software that allows you to download your favorite apps directly onto the Bentley’s multimedia system without the use of a mobile device.

Indeed, the Bentley Continental GT and GTC Speed redefine the quintessential British grand tourer in this modern age of motoring.