New Bentley Continental Supersports

Lightened Hardcore GT gets RWD and 657bhp

The Bentley Continental Supersports has made a comeback as a 657bhp V8-powered, two-seat, rear-wheel-drive tourer. Its power originates from an engine that initially began as the same twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre petrol V8 found in the Continental GT Speed’s 771bhp hybrid setup.

Nevertheless Bentley has equipped it with a reinforced crankcase, enhanced cylinder heads, and larger turbos to boost its output to 657bhp and 590lb ft. This modification has also led to the highest power density of any Bentley engine to date, at 164bhp per litre.

The ZF eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox, utilized across all current Bentley models, has been improved with new clutches and software. According to Bentley, this results in sharper and more responsive shifts, particularly when downshifting during braking. With its power and light weight, the Supersports can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 3.7 seconds.

The estimated top speed is 192 mph.

Codenamed Project Mildred, after 1929 endurance racer Mildred Mary Petre, the new Supersports also marks the start of a push by Bentley to create “more extreme cars”, said CEO Frank Walliser.

It is based on the current Continental GT but it is “so different” from that car, said Walliser, and has set a number of firsts for road-going Bentleys. 

For instance, it is the first Continental with rear-wheel drive, equipped with the largest front splitter ever on a production Bentley, and it provides the greatest downforce of any road car produced.

Central to its positioning is its relative lightness. Weighing just under 2000kg, the new Supersports is 500kg lighter than the GT Speed and is the lightest Bentley since the 1940 Mark V.

This is primarily achieved through the powertrain, which eliminates hybrid assistance and replaces four-wheel drive with two-wheel drive.

The roof, typically made from aluminium, is now constructed from carbon fibre, which also lowers the car’s centre of gravity. Inside, the rear seats have been removed, sound insulation reduced, the number of speakers decreased, and various driver assists have been eliminated.

Bentley states that the goal wasn't sheer power. Instead, the objective for the Supersports was to develop the most driver-centric Bentley ever. A crucial aspect, compared to the standard model, is directing the power to the rear wheels.

This configuration required engineers to widen the rear track by 16mm so that the power typically distributed across four wheels could be managed by two.

Software plays a significant role as well. For instance, a torque vectoring system works alongside an eLSD to enhance turn-in precision and optimize traction during braking. The Supersports also features its own custom steering and suspension tuning, along with traction management systems.

Like the standard Conti, the Supersports is equipped with double wishbones at the front, a multi-link axle at the rear, air springs, and rear-wheel steering. The twin-chamber dampers are a new addition.

The Supersports is among the most aggressively styled Bentleys to date, with engineers asserting that no components are included solely for aesthetic reasons.

The most prominent feature is the new front bumper, which is lower and wider than the GT Speed’s, and includes the largest splitter ever seen on a road-legal Bentley. 

The front also boasts a new lightweight mesh grille. Additionally, the Bentley is equipped with two pairs of stacked dive planes, robust side sills, large wing blades, a new rear diffuser, and a notably striking boot spoiler.

Overall, the Supersports generates over 300kg more downforce than the GT Speed—though Bentley has not specified exact figures for either vehicle—while maintaining a 54:46 front-to-rear weight distribution.

According to Bentley, with the optional Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres (mounted on 22in aluminum wheels), the chassis modifications and weight reduction allow the Supersports to corner about 30% faster than the GT Speed, achieving up to 1.3g of peak lateral force.

Similar to the exterior, the interior is designed with functionality in mind, yet it features Bentley elements like carbon fiber panels and abundant leather.

The vehicle includes more supportive, lightweight carbon bucket seats positioned lower than those in the GT Speed. It also features a 12.3-inch touchscreen and a digital driver's display, just like the standard model. Instead of rear seats, there is a leather-wrapped carbon tub.

The new limited-edition flagship will be available for purchase in March, with a price tag of approximately £400,000, marking a substantial rise from the current top-of-the-line GT Speed, which starts at £237,000. Bentley plans to produce 500 units, with the majority destined for the USA.