Mainly responsible for this immensely improved driving pleasure are the new four-wheel steering, an electronic limited-slip differential and a much larger rear bias for the four-wheel drive system. Turning the upper classy Ben into a bit of a sophisticated hooligan.

When pushing the start button initially the sharpest Conti ever sets of in Bentley mode, somehow subdued. But in ‘Sport’ mode things change. The dashboard Toblerone rolls into view. As a congenial gimmick you can have it with a digital instrument panel, push it again and it turns into a traditional one. In Sport up to 90% of the power goes to the rear axle.

The 2.2 tons feel like nothing on my favourite windy coastal road Clarence Drive. But, I must admit, I am very happy about those ceramic brakes. The biggest ones (440mm) ever used in a street-legal automobile. And on Clarence Drive I remember that the Speed comes topless as well. That would definitely add to the aural pleasures already provided by the W12 powerhouse under the hood. And despite its rigorously increased sportiness this Ben is still surprisingly comfortable. The most desirable in the current line-up.

And as in all my recent car pieces, the same question pops up: What will the future bring? Well, as with other glorious internal combustion engine powered rides, their time is limited. The first fully electric Bentley is expected for 2025. From 2030 all Bentleys will be electric. And since May this year Bentley’s mentor in the vast Volkswagen family is Audi, not Porsche anymore. So all future Bentleys will have electric e-tron platforms.

Let me quickly go back to Clarence Drive with the Conti GT Speed, to enjoy this glorious W12 one more time.