The 2026 Bentley Continental GT “junior varsity” models, the core GT and Azure, arrive with a new High Performance Hybrid powertrain. While not as powerful as their “varsity” siblings, the Speed and Mulliner, they still offer immense luxury and impressive performance with a focus on refined grand touring.
Headline: 2026 Bentley Continental GT Core & Azure: Still a Grand Tourer, Now with a Hybrid Punch
Description: The 2026 Bentley Continental GT “junior varsity” models, the core GT and Azure, arrive with a new High Performance Hybrid powertrain. While not as powerful as their “varsity” siblings, the Speed and Mulliner, they still offer immense luxury and impressive performance with a focus on refined grand touring.
Image: A striking front-angle shot of the 2026 Bentley Continental GT, highlighting its elegant lines and the distinctive grille (perhaps one with the chrome bars to differentiate it).
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Bentley’s iconic Continental GT is rolling out its latest iteration, and while the spotlight might be on the range-topping Speed and Mulliner trims, the “junior varsity” core Continental GT and Azure models are far from an afterthought. For 2026, these familiar trims receive a significant upgrade: a new High Performance Hybrid powertrain that prioritizes sophisticated touring and luxurious comfort, even if it’s not the absolute peak of power.
Last year, Bentley introduced the Continental GT’s “varsity lineup” – the Speed and Mulliner – boasting an Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain co-developed with Porsche. This formidable system pairs a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 with an electric motor to unleash a staggering 771 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. The Speed focuses on dynamic prowess, while the Mulliner continues its reign as the Conti GT’s super-luxurious flagship.
Power Meets Poise: The High Performance Hybrid
Now, it’s the turn of the core Bentley Continental GT 2026 and Azure, which maintain their division of labor: the core model serves as the entry point, while the Azure elevates the luxury experience. Both receive a new High Performance Hybrid powertrain, mechanically identical to their more powerful siblings but with a slightly adjusted output.
Instead of the V-8 making 591 horsepower and 590 pound-feet, the engine in the core and Azure models produces 512 horses and 568 pound-feet. Crucially, this is complemented by the same 188-hp electric motor integrated into the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission case, drawing power from a 22-kWh battery pack. The combined output is a robust 671 horsepower and 686 pound-feet of torque.
The trade-off for this advanced hybrid system is an increase in mass. The new models gain several hundred pounds over their predecessors, with estimated curb weights coming in around 5400 pounds for the GT coupe and 5800 pounds for the GTC convertible.
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Differentiating the Duo: Subtle Yet Significant
From a distance, distinguishing the core and Azure models is straightforward. The Azure proudly wears its badge on the fender and features additional brightwork. Its grille, for instance, sports 11 vertical chrome bars and chrome-covered lower intakes, contrasting with the core model’s understated black matrix grille with a single chrome center vertical bar. The Azure also rides on exclusive 22-inch silver and bright machined metal wheels, and both trims can be optioned with the Mulliner’s animated welcome lamps.
An Oasis of Luxury: The Continental GT Cabin
Every Bentley cabin is an ode to exquisite craftsmanship and passenger well-being, and the core Continental GT is no exception. However, the Azure, as the “apprentice” to the top-spec Mulliner, truly asserts itself in the realm of self-care. Standard features include open-pore crown-cut walnut trim veneers and striking 3-D quilting on the doors. For those seeking even greater exclusivity, supremely snazzy pinstriped veneers and a “secret” options menu cater to every conceivable desire.
Other standard amenities in the Azure include heated and ventilated front seats with massage functions, along with the Touring, Comfort, and Mood Lighting packages. The Touring package enhances relaxation with a suite of driver assistance aids, including adaptive cruise control, night vision, and a head-up display.
On the Road: Refined Indulgence
Our initial drive in a quaint Montana town suggested that the new Continental GT is best enjoyed with a focus on relaxed indulgence. While inputs and responses are precise, the car truly shines in its ability to deliver an exceptionally quiet and refined electric motoring experience – a “Luxardo maraschino cherry atop the Conti GT sundae.” Given the more powerful GT Speed’s impressive 2.8-second 0-60 mph time, we estimate the core powertrain should achieve sprints in the low- to mid-three-second range.
Handling benefits from new twin-valve dampers paired with dual-chamber air springs, an electronically controlled limited-slip rear differential, and rear-axle steering – the same sophisticated tech found in the “varsity” models. However, the 22-inch Pirelli P Zero Elect summer tires, which prioritize low rolling resistance, can lead to tire squeal below what might be expected from a Bentley, a slight departure from the brand’s historically impressive handling limits. This hints at Bentley’s evolving focus on efficiency and comfort alongside power.
A New Chapter for a Grand Icon
The Bentley Continental GT has always been a benchmark for high-powered grand touring and opulent luxury since its debut in 2003. While the 2025 GT Speed’s recent Lightning Lap performance showed a slight backsliding compared to its predecessor, suggesting a shift in priorities, the 2026 Continental GT V-8 fulfills its name more strictly than ever before. It encourages drivers to embrace both the grand and the touring aspects, reveling in wellness and self-care. For those seeking to unlock a bit more of that traditional Bentley magic, a stickier set of tires from a local shop could easily unleash even greater grip.
The 2026 Bentley Continental GT and GTC represent a compelling evolution, offering a powerful yet refined hybrid experience that continues to define the pinnacle of luxury grand touring.
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