There is a new contender in the super fast, ultra-luxe coupe market, except that it’s not really new. It’s a revised version of the Bentley Continental GT Speed which has been around in one form or another for getting on fifteen years now. You could argue, however, that this one is the cream of the crop.

The new Bentley Continental GT Speed is packing not just the good looks of the latest face-lift surgery the Conti went through recently, but also an improved version of the firm’s famous 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine. It now makes 642 horsepower which translates on the road into 0-60 mph sprint time of just 3.9 seconds — which is brilliant considering the weight and bulk of the car. Top speed is 206 mph (331 km/h).

The 2017 Bentley Continental GT Speed comes with a number of exclusive visual features, chief among which sporty bumper design, larger wheels and special paint jobs, plus carbon fiber and colored accents inside the cabin. But in case that isn’t enough, there is also a new Black Edition version making a show of the car’s inner power with features such as front splitter, side skirts and rear diffuser in contrasting shades, 21” five-spoke directional wheels in black, painted brake calipers, special carbon trimming and Mulliner GT Design seats with diamond contrast stitching.

Paul Jones, Product Line Director for Continental GT, comments: “We have developed the GT Speed Black Edition to meet demand from customers for a model in the Continental line that offers both increased sporting capabilities and instantly recognisable styling cues. The Black Edition has a subtle but purposeful look that is backed up by exceptional performance.”