If the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT Velocity is a two-in-one, right here’s the bonkers one. The Bentley Supersports defies all the pieces we all know and count on from Crewe, and takes issues to the intense. How excessive? Nicely, they’d Travis Pastrana drifting this factor in and across the manufacturing unit, and you’ll watch man and machine producing screech and smoke within the video under. Sure, TP in a Bentley!
The bonkers one (my time period, not theirs clearly) is described as essentially the most driver-focused Continental GT ever. Solely the fourth Supersports mannequin in historical past, Bentley took the fourth-generation luxurious grand tourer and put it on strict weight-reduction programme, ensuing within the first ever Continental GT that weighs under two tonnes.
You’ll know that the GT Velocity is now a plug-in hybrid, and the higher for it, however the Supersports has a really completely different transient. That is an old-school muscle automobile as compared – hybrid deleted, the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 channels 666 PS and 800 Nm to the rear wheels through an eight-speed double-clutch gearbox. No error there, that is the primary ever RWD Continental GT for the highway (the Continental GT3 race automobiles had been RWD).
With a stronger crankcase, uprated cylinder heads and bigger turbos, this 4.0L V8 has the very best energy density of any Bentley engine, which is 166.5 PS per litre. The gearbox is the acquainted ZF unit utilized in different Bentleys, however the SS will get uprated clutches and a brand new shift map – the latter brings sharper shifts whereas the downshift technique throughout braking has been calibrated to ship ‘optimum stability and driver confidence’.
The Supersports does the 0-100 km/h dash in 3.7 seconds, and high pace will probably be circa 310 km/h. Loads quick, however this time round, headline figures wasn’t the objective. The truth is, immediately’s automobile has a decrease high pace than the second SS (the OG was born in 1925) that was primarily based on the first-generation Continental GT (329 km/h), and the third SS primarily based on the second-generation Continental GT (336 km/h). Each had the 6.0L twin-turbo W12 engine, and the latter made 710 PS and 1,017 Nm.
Crewe went for driver engagement and dynamics this time round, which is smart to me. Up to now, such ranges of efficiency had been reserved for exotics – lately, sub-4.0s 0-100 km/h instances have been made widespread, and accessible, by EVs, so pace is not a such a novel promoting level for multi-million ringgit supercars.
So let’s do drama, they might’ve mentioned. The V8 breathes although a full-length Akrapovič titanium exhaust tuned to be ‘considerably extra characterful than any earlier Bentley’. Crewe says that it amplifies and tunes the cross-plane V8 observe to be ‘extraordinarily compelling – deep, highly effective and fully genuine’. No synthetic in-cabin sound enhancement right here.
Energy is fed to the rear axle by an eLSD, out to rear wheels which have an elevated monitor of 16 mm over the usual GT. The digital diff is assisted by torque vectoring by brake, with the programs working collectively to make turn-in as sharp as attainable and to provide most traction.
The common automobile’s rear-wheel steering is retained for optimum agility and stability, however the calibrations for the steering, suspension, traction administration and ESC programs are all-new. The ESC settings vary from fully-on, by a Dynamic Mode that permits a stage of slip and oversteer inside reactive limits, to fully-off – the place the motive force has full management of the rear axle. Proof of the latter within the video under.
There are three new configurations to the Drive Dynamics Controller: Touring, Bentley and Sport. Touring matches the efficiency character of Sport mode in a Continental GT Velocity, however pairs it with elevated experience peak, softer damping and a extra discreet exhaust observe.
Bentley mode will increase the efficiency character within the Supersports’ gearbox, throttle and chassis. Exhaust system valves open to boost sound character, and launch management turns into accessible. Sport mode goes even additional, with final optimisation for driver engagement and most chassis/powertrain response. Be warned: Sport right here isn’t the identical as Sport in a daily Bentley.
The suspension – anchored by aluminium double wishbones on the entrance with a multi-link rear axle – has air springs and new twin chamber dampers which can be ECU-controlled in bump and rebound independently. Bentley Dynamic Trip, Crewe’s proprietary 48V electrical anti-roll management system, can apply as much as 1,300 Nm of anti-roll response torque in 0.3 seconds. It really works nicely in a limo, it really works nicely on the monitor.
Bentley says that the Supersports employs the most important automotive braking system on the earth – 440 mm Carbon-Silicon-Carbide (CSiC) discs on the entrance axle, clamped by 10-piston calipers, and 410 mm discs with four-piston calipers on the rear. The calipers are black as normal, with crimson as an possibility.
At every nook are new 22-inch cast and machined aluminium alloy wheels developed along with Manthey Racing. You’ll be able to have it painted in black, or black with machined silver accents as seen right here. Sometimes, you get numerous choices on a Bentley, however tyres isn’t one thing you’ll be able to select – for the SS, VIPs can go for the usual Pirelli P-Zero tyre or the hardcore Trofeo RS.
The latter is a monitor tyre, and it – along with all of the chassis work and weight discount – is behind Crewe’s declare that the Supersports can nook roughly 30% faster than a Continental GT Velocity, with as much as 1.3g peak lateral drive. Contemplating the Velocity’s capabilities, this can be a mind-blowing assertion.
A foremost pillar within the Supersports tower is the load discount programme, which is described because the essentially the most excessive in Bentley’s historical past. Sure, they’re ranging from a excessive base because the Continental GT is a luxurious automobile, however the Supersports is almost half a tonne lighter, which suggests it suggestions the scales on the proper aspect of two tonnes.
Observe that the SS isn’t a stripped-out race automobile with zero creature comforts – it’s nonetheless a Bentley, and the cockpit is lined with leather-based in your chosen color. Nonetheless very plush, for 2. The rear seats have been deleted, changed by a carbon tub. Without having to cater to rear occupants, the seatbelts are gone, cabin sound insulation has been decreased, and the audio system has been reconfigured to be front-only. Sure driver help programs, not required on a driver-focused GT, have been eliminated too.
The largest positive factors come from the powertrain, with the conversion to ICE-only propulsion and rear-wheel-drive. On the flipside, swapping the aluminium roof panel for a carbon fibre piece is the simplest trick within the automobile food plan guide – it cuts weight and lowers the general centre of gravity. The wing mirrors and engine cowl are additionally in CF, however these profit appears greater than something.
You’d have seen the aggressive aero, and the lightest Bentley in 85 years can be one with essentially the most downforce ever. New items embody the decrease entrance bumper with an built-in entrance splitter and two new cooling channels both sides, for the brakes and engine. It doesn’t look new, however the mesh grille is laser reduce in tremendous wonderful aluminium and is exclusive to the SS. Two pairs of stacked dive planes sit on the corners of the entrance bumper, working along with the splitter to cut back entrance carry.
Behind the entrance wheels, new B-shaped fender blades handle airflow from the entrance wheel arches, aiding each extraction of high-pressure air and managing stream alongside the physique aspect, which sports activities new aspect sills. A brand new rear diffuser is constructed into a brand new rear bumper building that features vents for the rear wheel arches. It’s topped off by a one-piece mounted rear spoiler on the boot lid.
The general look may be very aggressive, however Bentley says that the aero items – all in carbon fibre – are type following operate, and no components had been included only for aesthetic functions. Collectively, the additional bits generate greater than 300 kg additional downforce over a Continental GT Velocity, whereas sustaining carry stability alongside the automobile and serving to to realize a dynamic weight distribution, which begins at 54:46 when the automobile is stationary and step by step strikes rearward with pace.
Inside, except for the rear cabin elimination, there are new light-weight sports activities seats with elevated lateral bolstering, a decrease place within the automobile and carbon components throughout the shoulder space. They characteristic 11-way electrical adjustment and retain seat heating – once more, that is nonetheless a Bentley.
As for trim, excessive gloss carbon fibre veneers on the waistrails and fascia panels are normal, joined by a mix of leather-based and Dinamica. The latter is a suede-like technical materials utilized to the centre of the seats, door playing cards and headlining. You’ll discover Supersports embroidery and badging within the cabin, plus an individually numbered badge on the centre console.
Sure, numbered as a result of there’ll solely be 500 examples of the Supersports, and prospects can request particular numbers too. If this luxurious automobile turned loopy automobile feels like a novel piece in your assortment, sorry, all 500 models have been reserved.
When Bentley introduced the Supersports in November final 12 months, the corporate mentioned that order books will open in March 2026 forward of first deliveries in early 2027, however royals and the mega-rich aren’t accustomed to queuing.
So, one of the best you are able to do is take a look at our dwell gallery – shot at Bentley’s current Symphony of Velocity occasion in Sydney, Australia – and speak to Bentley Kuala Lumpur to get on the reserve checklist. This matte blue instance is definitely a Continental GT Velocity dressed as a Supersports, but it surely’s an correct preview of the actual deal.
Demo automobiles are normally a bit OTT as they’ve to point out all prospects, however the stripes (decals right here, will probably be painted within the precise Supersports) are optionally available, as is the multi-coloured cockpit. You may as well go full darkish knight, as recommended by the automobile’s official launch pictures. How a lot? The Continental GT Velocity is on the market from RM3.12 million, however it’s this manner, sir.
GALLERY: Bentley Supersports at Symphony of Velocity 2026
GALLERY: Bentley Supersports official pictures
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