Again in 2009, a half-dozen years into the first-generation Bentley Continental GT‘s manufacturing run, the British automaker launched the Continental Supersports, an sudden mannequin that actually set Bentley on a extra performance-oriented course. Bentley tuned up the automobile’s W12, lower down its hefty curb weight, and fitted it with all kinds of enjoyable options like carbon-backed bucket seats taken from the Bugatti Veyron. The Supersports had a very completely different, a lot much less Bentley-like character than the usual Continental, and it was merely superior. On the finish of the second-gen Conti’s manufacturing in 2017 Bentley launched a brand new Supersports variant, with the identical form of upgrades as the unique and styling that pulled from the then-in-competition GT3 race automobile. That Supersports was cool too, however it did not have the identical affect as the unique.
For the reason that current-generation Continental GT debuted in 2018, I have been ready patiently for Bentley to return out with one other Supersports. That point has lastly arrived, and the brand new Continental Supersports is much more excessive than I hoped. Not solely does it ditch the facelifted Conti’s plug-in-hybrid system, however for the primary time within the mannequin’s historical past this new Supersports is rear-wheel drive, and it is also the primary time the Continental GT has weighed lower than two metric tonnes, all executed with the aim of the automobile being as partaking and enjoyable to drive as doable. Put succinctly, that is probably the most “hell yeah, brother” Bentley but.
Developed in secret
The brand new Supersports was the primary mission overseen from begin to end by chairman and CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, who joined the corporate final yr after working in new automobile improvement at Porsche. A small workforce of Bentley engineers first had the concept for a lighter rear-drive Continental in September 2024, and after approval was given to construct a take a look at mule, a automobile hit the observe simply six weeks later. That prototype’s efficiency was apparently so convincing that the automobile was green-lit, with the mission being saved underneath shut guard.
Walliser says the brand new Supersports “signifies a return to Bentley making extra excessive automobiles – ones that mix extraordinary breadth of skill with true driver engagement, whereas remaining items of automotive paintings distinctive and bespoke to every buyer.” Solely 500 of the Supersports shall be made, and homeowners will have the ability to decide which quantity they need, with that quantity displayed on a plaque on the dashboard.
It is nonetheless fast as hell
With its facelift for 2025 the Continental GT dropped not solely the optionally available W12 but additionally the bottom twin-turbo V8, changing them each with a plug-in-hybrid powertrain utilizing that V8 in several states of tune. For the brand new Supersports, although, that hybrid system is tossed out the window. Like with the brand new Bentayga Pace you get a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, however thanks to greater turbos, a stronger crankcase and uprated cylinder heads, the Supersports is much more highly effective, making 657 horsepower and 590 pound-feet of torque. That is a reasonably spectacular output on condition that the entry-level PHEV has 671 hp and 685 lb-ft, and the now-discontinued nonhybrid V8 solely put out 542 hp and 568 lb-ft. Distinctive to the Supersports is a titanium exhaust developed with Akrapovič that’s “deep, highly effective and utterly genuine” — no piped-in or synthetic noise right here.
To deal with all that twist going to only the rear wheels, the ZF 8-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission will get new clutches and up to date programming for upshifts which might be sharper and extra responsive and elevated stability when downshifting underneath braking. Bentley says the Supersports will run from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds, which is rattling fast for a rear-wheel-drive automobile — that is simply two tenths off the bottom PHEV, and it is three-tenths faster than the outdated V8 AWD mannequin. Prime velocity is 192 mph.
The lightest Continental GT ever
An digital limited-slip differential on the rear is augmented by brake-based torque vectoring, and the Supersports retains the traditional Continental’s rear-wheel-steering system. The rear observe is 0.6 inch wider, and the steering, suspension, and traction and stability management techniques get distinctive calibration. Bentley’s glorious Dynamic Trip 48-volt electrical anti-roll system is included, and the air springs have new twin-chamber dampers which have independently managed bump and rebound. Additionally current are the most important brakes of any automobile on sale, with 17.3-inch discs and 10-piston calipers up entrance, and 16.1-inch discs with four-piston calipers within the rear.
Drivers can go from having the ESC completely on, to a Dynamic mode that “permits a degree of slip and oversteer inside reactive limits,” to turning it off utterly, the place the automobile may be “provoked into important however extremely controllable oversteer.” The automobile’s Touring drive mode is equal to Sport mode in regular Continental GTs, however with softer damping and a quieter exhaust be aware; Bentley mode sharpens up powertrain and chassis responses whereas opening the exhaust valves, and the Sport mode is much more intense. New 22-inch wheels have been developed with Manthey Racing, and prospects can select between customary Pirelli P-Zero tires or a brand new Trofeo RS possibility, the latter of which make the Supersports in a position to nook 30% faster than a GT Pace PHEV, pulling as much as 1.3 g in peak lateral drive.
Bentley
Bentley says the Supersports is “practically half a tonne” (about 1,102 kilos) lighter than the traditional Continental GT, however then that is as a result of it is being in comparison with the brand new heavier PHEVs. Nonetheless, it’s going to be the primary Continental GT to weigh lower than 4,409 kilos (two tonnes), greater than 300 kilos lower than the pre-facelift Continental GT with its nonhybrid V8. The Supersports’ roof is carbon fiber as an alternative of aluminum, the rear seats have been deleted, there’s much less cabin sound insulation, the audio system was redesigned for simply the entrance passengers, and Bentley ditched a few of the driver-assistance techniques.
Practical aerodynamics
Wanting on the Supersports’ exterior, there is no denying it is Bentley’s most outrageous design but. Its grille is laser-cut from positive aluminum, and the entrance bumper has a carbon-fiber splitter, the model’s largest ever. Two cooling channels on either side of the bumper feed air to the brakes and engine, and stacked dive planes forward of the entrance wheels scale back raise. B-shaped fender blades simply behind the entrance wheels extract high-pressure air and handle circulate alongside the physique, and extra dramatic facet skirts run the size of the wheelbase. On the rear there is a new diffuser, a brand new bumper with vents within the wheel arches, and a set spoiler on high of the trunk lid.
Bentley says none of these elements are right here merely for aesthetic causes — all of these modifications improve downforce by greater than 661 kilos in comparison with the Continental GT Pace. In addition they assist with a dynamic weight distribution, which is at 54:46 when the automobile is stopped however progressively strikes rearward because the automobile features velocity. 24 “performance-focused” colours shall be accessible at launch, together with 5 Design Themes that function contrasting colours and painted stripes. After all, you may additionally have the ability to do customized specs in no matter shade you need.
First deliveries are greater than a yr out.
The driving force and passenger get new light-weight seats with extra distinguished facet bolsters, mounted decrease within the cabin. Don’t fret, they’re nonetheless 11-way adjustable and are heated. Instead of the deleted rear seats is a wraparound carbon-fiber panel with leather-based accents that is properly built-in within the inside design. As customary you get carbon-fiber trim (two sorts of aluminum or piano black is optionally available), a mixture of leather-based and Dinamica suede, and loads of Supersports badges. Bentley will supply 22 foremost conceal colours, 11 secondary conceal colours, and 9 accent conceal colours, and there shall be single-tone, duo-tone, and tri-tone shade splits.
Bentley
Whereas it is not speaking value but, Bentley says that order books will open in March, with manufacturing beginning in This autumn 2026 and first deliveries commencing in the beginning of 2027. Along with being restricted to only 500 automobiles, it will not be accessible in all places — the corporate says the Supersports shall be offered within the U.S., the UK, Europe (EU27 plus Switzerland and Turkey), Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Oman, Bahrain, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait.
