New Bentley Continental Supersports

Bentley Continental Supersports (See video at bottom)

Bentley is today announcing its fastest and most powerful production model to date: the new Bentley Continental Supersports.

A top speed of 209 mph (336 km/h) and a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.5 seconds) make the new Continental Supersports the world's fastest and most powerful luxury four-seat car.

Similarly, its soft-top sibling, the Continental Supersports Convertible, is the fastest four-seat convertible in the world, dispatching the sprint to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 secs) on its way to a 205 mph (330 km/h) top speed.

Bentley's mighty W12 engine, redeveloped for the Supersports with new high-performance turbos and engine hardware, and a torque vectoring system create a Continental Supersports as agile as it is powerful. Meanwhile, unique styling cues inside and out give the new model a sharpened athletic appearance highlighting its performance potential.

As well as offering supercar pace and a highly focused driving experience, there is no compromise in the refined nature of the Continental's ride quality. This fusion of extremes in luxury and performance make the Supersports the ultimate iteration of a model that has come to define and dominate the grand touring genre.

Wolfgang Durheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: "The Supersports name is legendary at Bentley. From the very first Supersports of the 1920s, to the Continental Supersports of 2009 — and now with the third iteration of this iconic model — it is a name which excites, impassions and thrills. Only Bentley could create a car which blends immense performance and unrivalled luxury in this way."

Fast, very fast

Extreme Power and Torque; Stand-Out Performance

A bespoke drivetrain featuring Bentley's W12 engine combines extreme power and torque to offer exhilarating performance.

Key to the Supersports' additional outputs are newly designed, higher-capacity turbochargers and a revised charge-air cooling system which create more boost and additional power. In order to harness these additional outputs, upgrades have also been made to the Continental's cranktrain, including new main and conrod bearings.

These extensive engine revisions result in an increase of 80 PS (79 bhp) and 217 Nm (160 lb.ft.) over the 2009 Supersports model — a 10 percent power-to-weight and 25 percent torque-to-weight ratio improvement. The top speed rises by five miles per hour (and the 0-60 mph time drops by 0.3 seconds).

The Supersports also benefits from a new torque converter which locks up faster allowing the car to make best use of the enhanced torque figure of 1,017 Nm (750 lb. ft.), and accelerate from standstill even more rapidly.

In order to rein in this immense performance the new Supersports is fitted with high-performance carbon ceramic brakes with enhanced cooling. The brake discs are the largest of their type in the world, providing excellent performance with minimal fade under extreme conditions.

The brakes sit behind lightweight 21" forged alloy wheels, together offering a 20 kg weight saving in unsprung mass. A further 5 kg weight-saving is offered via an optional titanium exhaust system. The new Supersports is the lightest-ever iteration of the current Continental GT and lighter than the 2009 four-seat Supersports model.

Enhancing the driver experience still further, the exhaust system has been redesigned to breathe more freely and provide an unmistakeable Bentley soundtrack, with down-shifts eliciting a rifle-fire crackle.

Rear wing for added downforce

Ultimate Handling and Luxury Refinement

This performance is matched by athletic handling. The Supersports has a specifically calibrated and updated version of the torque vectoring system first introduced on the Continental GT3-R.

This dynamic system brakes individual front and rear wheels during acceleration out of corners to increase performance, whilst maintaining full power to unbraked wheels, and brakes the inside rear wheel on turn-in to improve agility. It also has a bespoke, less intrusive stability control calibration for a more precise chassis response.

The new Supersports retains the rear-biased torque split of Bentley's all-wheel-drive system, sending 60 per cent of the engine's power to the rear wheels as standard for a better balanced, more sporting character, but with the ability to adjust the front-rear power split depending on available traction.

Despite the focus on sharper driving dynamics, the Supersports' lowered and stiffened dynamic suspension set-up retains all of its luxurious ride quality for passengers wishing to cover long distances in supreme comfort.

Bespoke Design Signaling High-Performance Character

The new Continental Supersports features unique exterior and interior styling cues which reflect the significant uplift in the performance capability of this pinnacle grand tourer.

Exterior changes include newly sculpted front and rear bumper designs incorporating a carbon-fiber splitter and diffuser respectively, new side sill extensions and bonnet vents also finished in carbon-fiber, gloss-black front wing vents and a new gloss-black, rifled exhaust tailpipe design. Completing the dramatic exterior look are dark-tint headlamps and tail-lamps, and a complement of black-finished brightware to the front grilles, lights, rear bumper, door handles and window surrounds.

There is also an optional, aerodynamically balanced rear spoiler and front splitter combination for the coupe, new Supersports badging, a new black and bright-machined finish for the 21" forged alloy wheels and optional side decals. Further highlighting the enhanced performance, an optional gloss-finished, Supersports-branded carbon-fiber engine cover can be specified.

The new Continental Supersports Convertible offers the luxury and refinement of a coupe yet transforms into a head-turning open-tourer at the touch of a button. The multi-layer hood ensures high levels of refinement and acoustic insulation. Exhaustively tested in all conditions from -30Â°C to +50Â°C or more, it resists even monsoon-force rain and maintains comfortable, draft-free warmth even on the coldest days.

Another practical feature, the neck warmer, makes open air driving an appealing and comfortable prospect even on the cooler days of spring and autumn. With the hood down, the Continental Supersports Convertible offers sensational performance with the sensory amplification of open-air motoring. Hood up, it's as practical a year-round proposition as its coupe stablemate.

Tri-tone interior

Inside, a host of bespoke styling details enhance the contemporary British luxury experience.

A unique color split has been created, using three colors: the first tri-tone interior offered in this generation Continental GT. A new diamond-quilted design is incorporated in the seats and door side panels for a unique signature in Alcantara, while checkered Supersports carbon-fiber fascia panels join the existing list of ten veneers and technical finishes available. The interior is completed by new Supersports emblem stitching, and a bespoke Supersports steering wheel and unique gearlever, both featuring Alcantara accents.

A titanium exhaust option is available for drivers seeking a more intense audible experience. As well as a stirring soundtrack, the Titanium system also provides a weight reduction.

For Supersports customers seeking even more personalization, an ‘X Specification' pack is available, consisting of eight unique duo-tone paint treatments and carbon-fiber door mirrors and heel plates. The titanium exhaust option is included, as is a carbon-fiber finish to the interior side panels, the carbon-fiber engine cover and a gloss black finish to the 21" forged wheels.

As with all Bentleys, the Supersports can also be handed over to the highly skilled craftspeople at Mulliner, Bentley's bespoke coachbuilding department, who will respond to individual customer requirements.

High end interior

Supersports: The Ultimate in Luxury and Performance

The Continental Supersports of 2009 won global plaudits for its unique combination of extreme dynamics and unrivalled luxury.

The new Supersports takes these characteristics to new heights of engineering excellence, transforming this model into the world's fastest four-seat car and one that is, nonetheless, an everyday, usable luxury coupe or convertible.

It sits at the pinnacle of Bentley's luxury and performance ethos and is the ultimate iteration of a model that has come to define luxury automotive grand touring.

Technical Specification

	Continental Supersports	Continental Supersports Convertible
Engine
Type	6-liter twin-turbocharged port injection W12
Max Power	700 bhp / 710 PS / 522 KW @ 6,000 rpm
Max Torque	1,017 Nm / 750 lb.ft @ 2,050 — 4,500 rpm
Transmission
Type	ZF 8-speed automatic with Quickshift, Block Shifting and wheel-mounted paddleshift
Driveline	Continuous all-wheel drive (40:60 rear bias)
Ratios	1^st : 4.71; 2^nd: 3.14; 3^rd: 2.1; 4^th: 1.67; 5^th: 1.29; 6^th: 1.00; 7^th: 0.839; 8^th: 0.667
Final Drive	2.85
Brakes
Front	420 mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled
Rear	356 mm Carbon Silicon Carbide, cross drilled
Wheels and Tires
Wheels	21" x 9.5J forged alloy wheels in two finishes
Tires	275/35 ZR21
Steering
Type	Rack & pinion, power assisted, speed-sensitive ZF servotronic
Turns lock-to-lock	2.6 turns
Turning circle	11.3 m
Suspension
Front	Four link double wishbones, computer controlled self-leveling air suspension, with anti-roll bar
Rear	Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-leveling air suspension, with anti-roll bar
Damping	Continuous Damping Control, tuned for dynamic performance
Dimensions
Wheelbase	2,746 mm / 108.1 in
Overall length	4,806 mm / 189.2 in
Width (across body)	1,944 mm / 76.5 in
Width (inc. mirrors)	2,227 mm / 87.7 in
Overall height	1,394 mm / 54.9 in	1,403 mm / 55.2 in
Fuel tank	90 liters / 20 gallons / 24 US gallons
Boot volume	358 liters / 12.6 cu ft	260 / 9.18 cu ft
Curb weight (EU)	2,280 kg / 5,027 lb	2455 kg / 5412 lb
Gross vehicle weight	2,750 kg / 6,063 lb	2,900 kg / 6,393 lb
Performance
Top speed	209 mph / 336 km/h	205 mph / 330 km/h
0-60 mph	3.4 secs	3.7 secs
0-100 km/h	3.5 secs	3.9 secs
Fuel Consumption (EU cycle)*
Urban	11.6 mpg / 24.3 liters/100 km	11.6 mpg / 24.4 liters/100 km
Extra Urban	26.4 mpg / 10.7 liters/100 km	25.7 mpg / 11.0 liters/100 km
Combined	18 mpg / 15.7 liters/100 km	17.8 mpg / 15.9 liters/100 km
CO₂ emissions	358 g/km	362 g/km
Fuel Consumption (EPA cycle)**
City (US mpg)	TBC	TBC
Highway (US mpg)	TBC	TBC
Combined (US mpg)	TBC	TBC
Emissions Controls	EU 6 and US LEV II

* Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to Type Approval.

** Fuel consumption figures are provisional and subject to EPA certification.