Hold onto your hats...

Hold onto your hats, the most powerful Bentley convertible ever has blown in! We brought you spy shots of the Bentley GTC Speed back in October, but these are the first official pictures of the 200mph drop-top.

The GTC is the third Bentley to receive the ò€˜Speedò€™ treatment, following the GT coupe and the Continental Flying Spur. They all share a pumped-up version of the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, the most compact 12-cylinder in the world, producing 600bhp and an astonishing 750Nm of torque. Despite weighing in at a hefty two and a half tonnes 0-60mph is despatched in 4.5 seconds, while a 200mph top speed is possible with the roof in place, 195mph when itò€™s stowed.

Distinguishing the GTC Speed from the ò€˜standardò€™ car, besides the extra 48bhp, is a special tinted mesh in the radiator and lower air intake grille. Thereò€™s also larger 20-inch multi-spoke alloys as standard, wrapped in high-performance Pirelli PZero rubber. Lowered suspension and a subtle lip spoiler improve the Speedò€™s handling and aerodynamics, while wider twin-exhaust pipes help to turn up the volume.

Optional extras include fade-resistant carbon-ceramic brakes ò€“ the largest fitted to any production car in the world ò€“ and Bentleyò€™s sophisticated Adaptive Cruise Control system.

The sumptuous interior takes its inspiration from the ò€˜Mullinerò€™ pack available on the standard GTC, and includes diamond-quilted leather on the seats and door trims, Speed-embossed scuff plates on the door frames, chrome gear lever and drilled-alloy sports pedals.

Based on the success of the other Speed models in the range, Bentley expect this upgraded version to account for over two-thirds of GTC sales worldwide ò€“ despite a substantial price tag of Ò£146,100 when it goes on sale in the UK this spring.