Bentley announces hot Supersports edition of the Continental GT

Bentley Supersports

Feast your eyes on the mighty new Bentley Supersports – billed as the “most driver-focused Continental GT ever”.

A century after the birth of the first Bentley “Super Sports”, which was the first Bentley capable of exceeding 100mph, the nameplate returns for only the fourth Supersports model in the luxury car company’s history.

The new Bentley Supersports brings rear-wheel drive and sub-two-tonne weight to the Continental GT for the first time.

Bentley Supersports

Under the bonnet is a non-hybrid twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 producing 657bhp and 800Nm of torque with power fed through an eight-speed double-clutch gearbox to the rear wheels only.

The 0-62mph sprint will be dispatched in 3.7 seconds, and the Supersports will top out at 192mph, though Bentley says the car’s improved dynamics are more important than the headline figures.

Carbon ceramic brakes, new 22-inch lightweight forged wheels developed with Manthey Racing and an Akrapovič full-length titanium exhaust system are standard, while Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres are available.

Bentley Supersports

The exterior represents the most purposeful Continental GT ever, with a series of form-following-function developments to maximise downforce and save weight.

A new front bumper integrates the biggest front splitter ever fitted to a Bentley road car, feeding cooling air to the engine and front brakes.

Aerodynamic aids include carbon fibre dive planes, side sills and a rear diffuser, plus a fixed rear wing.

Bentley Supersports

The weight saving regime extends to the roof, which is now a carbon fibre panel to also lower centre of gravity whilst maintaining structural stiffness.

Inside, the two-seat cabin features new sports seats, positioned lower in the car, with the rear cabin environment replaced with a carbon fibre and leather shell.

Bentley Supersports

“The new Supersports is more than just the most driver-focused Bentley yet,” said Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser.

“It signifies a return to Bentley making more extreme cars – ones that combine extraordinary breadth of ability with true driver engagement, while remaining pieces
of automotive artwork unique and bespoke to each customer.

Bentley has always thrived when revealing a more daring side, and the new Supersports is a statement of our intent while celebrating 100 years of the name.”

No official word on the price, but we wouldn’t expect there to be any change from £400,000.

Platinum Jubilee for the Bentley Continental

Bentley R-Type Continental and Bentley Continental GT

Bentley is celebrating 70 years since the start of production of the R-Type Continental – one of the most celebrated cars in the company’s 103-year history, and the first Bentley to wear the iconic Continental name.

With only 208 examples produced, the R-Type Continental was as rare a sight in the 1950s as it is today – but it went down in history as a benchmark Bentley, and the embodiment of the brand’s grand touring DNA.

Its ethos and its exterior design were the inspiration for the first Continental GT in 2003, and it has inspired Bentley Design teams ever since.

Bentley R-Type Continental

While the first prototype R-Type Continental (known as ‘Olga’ thanks to its OLG490 registration) was on the road in August 1951, it wasn’t until May 1952 that the car went into production, with customer deliveries starting in June.

At the time, it was the fastest four-seat car in the world – a mantle that was picked-up by the modern-day Continental GT in 2003. It was also the most expensive, at £6,928 – nearly four times the 1952 average UK house price.

The brainchild of Chief Projects Engineer, Ivan Evernden and Chief Stylist, John Blatchley, the R-Type Continental was described in period by Autocar magazine as “a modern magic carpet which annihilates great distances”.

Bentley R-Type Continental

A sleek coupé based on the R-Type Bentley saloon, it was powered by a 4,566cc, six-cylinder in-line engine producing 153bhp. The prototype averaged 118.75 mph over five laps (with a best lap of just under 120mph) at the banked Montlhèry track near Paris.

To keep down to the target weight, coachbuilders HJ Mulliner crafted the bodywork, window frames, windscreen surround, backlight, seat frames and bumpers in aluminium. Even at a pared-down weight, tyre choice was critical; no standard road tyre existed which could carry a two-ton car at speeds in excess of 115 mph, and Dunlop Medium Distance Track tyres were specified.

The first production model was delivered to its owner in June 1952 and by the time production ended in 1955, 208 R-Type Continentals had been made. Of these, 193 were bodied by HJ Mulliner. Others included Park Ward (four dropheads and two coupés), Franay (five), Graber (three) and Farina (one).

Bentley R-Type Continental

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