Bentley reveals 700 horsepower Continental Supersports

13-Jan-2017
Blog

 Bentley has announced its fastest and most powerful production model to date – the new Continental Supersports. A top speed of 336km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds make the new Continental Supersports the world’s fastest luxury four-seat car. 

Similarly, its soft-top sibling, the Continental Supersports Convertible, is the fastest four-seat convertible in the world, despatching the sprint to 100km/h in 3.9 secs on its way to a 330km/h top speed.

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 79hp and 217Nm over the 2009 Supersports model, culminating in 700hp and 1,017Nm. 

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 20kg weight saving in unsprung mass. A further 5kg weight-saving is offered via an optional titanium exhaust system.

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. 

Exterior changes include newly sculpted front and rear bumper designs incorporating a carbon-fibre splitter and diffuser respectively, new side skirts and hood vents also finished in carbon-fibre, gloss-black front wing vents and a new gloss-black, rifled exhaust tailpipe design. Completing the 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.

Inside, a host of bespoke styling details enhance the contemporary British luxury experience. A unique colour split has been created, using three colours: 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 chequered Supersports carbon-fibre 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.