IF YOU WERE going to blow the better part of a small condo's price on a coupe, you'd want it to do absolutely everything, wouldn't you?

Well, let's explore the concept of 'everything', then. Transporting your good self over hundreds of miles and delivering your carcass in daisy-fresh condition is certainly a decent ask.

Providing space for three good friends and their luggage to come along? Sounds reasonable to us.

And if you throw in the ability to do it at over three-and-a-half times the national speed limit, then only the Bentley Continental GT fits the bill, really. As the world's fastest production four-seater coupe, it really does do everything.

Thing is, it just got better at doing it.

After four years in production, during which time it brought Bentley from a thousand global sales to roughly 10,000 per year, the Continental GT has been in for a bit of a reworking.

If you have eyes like an eagle you'll have noticed a slightly squarer, more upright grille with a revised front bumper that has a wider central intake, as well as chromed bezels around the four headlamps.

More relevant to you and me is the end you'll see more often, where there is a new bumper with a black lower valance, through which wider, more stylised tailpipes exit.

There's been a bit of old-fashioned fiddling under the bonnet, too. Among other things, crankcase breathing has been improved, the duplex cam chain has been junked in favour of a single one, and the exhaust system's been modified to improve efficiency.

Peak power remains 552bhp, but it farts out 3.5 percent less carbon dioxide, at 'just' 396 grammes per kilometre, with a corresponding drop in fuel consumption to 3.95 km per litre in the city.

But the big news is the addition of a 'Speed' variant to the GT line-up, and though the badge sounds like something meant to appeal to the meth-addicted rock stars amongst Bentley's clientele, it's an entirely appropriate allusion to what the car is all about.

It's a harder-core Continental GT, apparently produced to satisfy customers who wanted, well, a harder-core drive.

Visually the GT Speed is distinguished by dark chromed grilles and tasty 20-inch alloys, but as ever, it's the 600bhp and ability to do 202mph (326km/h to you and me) that count the most.

DRIVING IT

Lots of internal strengthening work for the engine has allowed turbo boost to be raised from 0.5bar to 0.7bar, in turn enabling it to produce 600bhp, with 750Nm of torque available at 1,750rpm. Therefore you might expect the Bentley to help you discover what life is like for a cannonball.

In reality, the GT Speed is supremely civil about putting your driver's license in jeopardy.

Cracking the throttle open produces an almighty rush forward that simply doesn't seem to let up, with 160km/h coming up in just over 10 seconds, but your palms will stay dry throughout because there's so little accompanying drama.

The engine does raise its voice, and the inevitable onset of wind noise takes place along the way, but the GT Speed offers such unruffled progress that it's not until you're well past 200km/h that you feel as if you might be going a bit fast.

Nor, truth be told, is it easy to tell if it's that much quicker than the regular Continental GT.

What is immediately apparent, however, is that the Speed model likes corners more than the standard GT.

The whole car rides lower than the regular GT, and has revised springs and dampers with adjustable degrees of firmness. Body control is excellent, and leaving the suspension on the standard setting feels perfectly fine even when you?re driving as if you were late for a date with Natalie Portman.

Along with stiffer suspension bushings, the tailor-made low-profile tyres from Pirelli really sharpen up steering response, with a satisfying absence of slop or disconnectedness from the proceedings. Instead, you're rewarded with a welcome immediacy whenever you ask the Bentley to partner you for a bit of backroad fun.

On the very tightest corners is where you are reminded that the GT Speed is not a hot hatch, and will never feel like one. On the plus side, it never feels like something that weighs more than 2.3 tonnes, either.

INSIDE IT

Okay, there might not be a kitchen or lavatory in here, but sitting inside the Continental removes all doubt about the wisdom of choosing it over a condo.

There's a palpable sense of craftsmanship to the leatherwork, and the deep gloss of the wood veneer (all of which is sourced from a single tree for each car) is so exquisite to look, you could stare at it for hours simply to savour the intricacies of the grain.

If there's a disappointment, it's the overuse of Volkswagen/Audi-sourced switchgear (the Continental shares plenty of parts with the Volkswagen Phaeton. There, I've said it.), which introduces a feeling of mass-production to the cabin.

There's a voluptuous comfiness to the seats, too, which bestows on you the same chuffed feeling of satisfaction when you slide into one as taking up your flat-folding seat in the First-Class section of the plane, and chuckling smugly to yourself as you watch the huddled masses shuffle towards Economy. At least, I'd imagine so.

DOLLAR AND SENSE

For a $86,000 premium over the Continental GT, the Speed model comes with subtle reminders of its status, such as a new three-spoke design for the steering wheel, drilled alloy pedals and polished running boards with a 'Speed' logo, in case you have Alzheimer's and tend to forget which Bentley you bought.

The Speed GT also gets the diamond-quilted upholstery finish that comes standard with the Mulliner interior package, along with indented hide for the headlining.

But the enhancements to the chassis alone are worth the money, if you ask us. And can you really put a price on being able to say that your car does 326km/h?

CONCLUSION

If the Continental GT is a car that does everything, then the GT Speed is one that does it all, and then some. Driven slowly, it's supremely refined and stately, but when you wish to channel your inner Alonso, it's a willing - and encouraging - medium.

Overall, I'd say driving it is like sitting down to tea with Queen Elizabeth, only to have her hike her skirt up for you to discover that she has legs like Carl Lewis.

Far be it from us to tell the wealthy what to do with their millions, but if you're in the position to buy a Continental GT, opt for the Speed model. Chances are, you won?t look wistfully at passing Ferraris.

Internal reinforcements and higher boost produce 600bhp 750Nm
GT Speed gets a three-spoke wheel and special gearknob
Dark chrome and bezels for the lamps identify the GT Speed
Tailor-made Pirellis sit on 20-inch alloys unique to the Speed

BMW M6 (A) $498,800 with COE
A strange choice, this, but if it's real world mile-munching ability in supreme comfort you want, the BMW is just as good as the GT Speed, and much cheaper to boot. It might even be swifter, at least until the 250km/h speed-limiter cuts in. Of course, it doesn't make quite the same splash as the Bentley, and if you have rear passengers, they'd best be small.

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti (A) $POA
Surprisingly spacious inside and civilised, the Ferrari is a joy on open roads. It's not as brutally powerful as the GT Speed, but is every bit as fast. The engine makes a yowl that will turn your bowels to jelly, too, The cabin lacks the woody opulence of the Bentley's, but hey, there?s that badge on the nose to savour. Unfortunately, there's the question of that million-dollar price tag...

5,998cc 48V twin-turbo W12
600bhp at 6,000rpm
750Nm at 1,750rpm
6-speed automatic
326km/h
4.5 seconds
$808,000 with COE
3 years / unlimited km
Malayan Motors
Tel: 6473-7755

PLUSES Sharper handling, effortless performance and drop-dead gorgeous styling
MINUSES VW-sourced switchgear brings the cabin's tone down
VERDICT What to buy if you simply want everything from one car