Skip advert
Advertisement

Bentley Continental Supersports - Quickest, most powerful Bentley ever

With 700bhp and 750lb ft of torque, the Supersports is the ultimate variant of the long-running Continental GT

After hinting at its new model through a selection of teaser images, Bentley has revealed the new Continental Supersports in full - and it's the quickest model the company has ever produced for the road.

Marking the ultimate evolution of the brand's W12-engined Continental GT, it's also the most powerful road car the firm has ever made, with a peak output of 700bhp at 5900rpm.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Torque too is massive, nearly matching the mighty twin-turbocharged, six-and-three-quarter litre V8 of the Mulsanne: 750lb ft, developed from a lazy 2050rpm to 4500rpm. This power and torque is fed to all four wheels (in a 40:60 front-rear split) via an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The results? From rest to a mile a minute in 3.4sec, and a 209mph top speed.

> Read: Bentley Mulsanne review - the ultimate luxury car?

The power increase - a 79bhp step over the standard car - is down to a pair of higher-capacity turbochargers and uprated intercooling, allowing the Supersports to run higher boost. The extra stress this creates on the reciprocating components means Bentley has also uprated the main and conrod bearings. The ZF 'box also locks up quicker, all the better for transferring that massive torque in the most effective manner. A revised exhaust system (optionally in titanium) helps draw gases from each of the twelve combustion chambers.

Carbon ceramic brakes are standard (and, like everything on Planet Conti, they're massive - 420mm up front, 356mm astern), and they hide behind 21x9.5in forged alloy wheels wrapped in 275/35 R21 tyres all-round.

> Also read: Bentley Continental GT3-R review

Power, as one tyre company is known to say, is nothing without control, and to that end the Supersports gets a torque vectoring system from the Continental GT3-R, to the benefit of agility. A revised stability control system is claimed to be less intrusive (though you'll have to be going some in order to unstick the 2290kg Supersports on its 275-section rubber) and the suspension is lower and stiffer than normal.

The exterior is typical Continental GT, albeit laced with extra menace. As is customary, menace means myriad black detailing and liberal use of carbonfibre. Coupe versions (there's a convertible model too) get the option of an aerodynamic front splitter and matching rear spoiler, while inside there's diamond quilted upholstery, Alcantara, and carbonfibre trim.

And if all that isn't enough, Supersports customers will still be able to take their 700bhp monsters to Bentley's Mulliner coachbuilding devision, where they'll attempt to make tasteful your wildest combinations of colour and material.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Bentley Continental GT Speed 2024 review – driving the most powerful Bentley yet
Bentley Continental GT – front
Reviews

Bentley Continental GT Speed 2024 review – driving the most powerful Bentley yet

The latest Continental GT is the beginning of a new plug-in hybrid era for Bentley. Is it still a benchmark grand tourer?
30 Sep 2024
Bentley Continental GT W12 (2003-2010): the car that saved Bentley
Original Bentley Continental GT
Features

Bentley Continental GT W12 (2003-2010): the car that saved Bentley

The Bentley Continental GT is now exclusively hybrid V8-powered. We revisit the original W12, the car that changed Bentley forever
27 Sep 2024
New Bentley Flying Spur goes ‘Ultra Performance Hybrid’ with 771bhp
Bentley Flying Spur driving front
News

New Bentley Flying Spur goes ‘Ultra Performance Hybrid’ with 771bhp

Pairing electric power with the twin-turbo V8, Bentley has created its most powerful saloon car yet
10 Sep 2024
Skip advert
Advertisement

Most Popular

Skoda Superb Fast Fleet test – 16,000 miles in the GTI-powered estate
evo Fast Fleet Skoda Superb
Long term tests

Skoda Superb Fast Fleet test – 16,000 miles in the GTI-powered estate

After 11 months and over 16,000 miles, did the Superb estate prove to be the best Skoda long-termer we’ve run so far?
10 Oct 2024
Best fast family cars – the best fun everyday drivers
Best fast family cars
Best cars

Best fast family cars – the best fun everyday drivers

A family car doesn’t need to be dull – some of our favourite performance models deliver the thrills of a purpose-built sports car
10 Oct 2024
BMW Skytop V8 roadster to go into limited production
BMW Skytop front
News

BMW Skytop V8 roadster to go into limited production

Just 50 examples of the M8-based Skytop are expected to be made, priced at over £400,000 each
11 Oct 2024