The Bentley Continental range’s sensational new Supersports flagship seeks to take the marque’s performance to even greater heights.
With a list of upgrades that should get any enthusiast’s pulse racing, the Supersports boasts a 463 kW 6,0-litre W12, rear-biased 4×4 system, quickshift gearbox and uprated suspension. Its sporty cabin sees the rear seats removed and the fronts replaced with lightweight bucket items.
New 20-inch alloy rims and carbon brakes complete a programme that reduces the car’s bulk by 110 kg – although, at 2 240 kg, it’s still pretty hefty.
And, in a further efficiency bid, the Supersports is the first FlexFuel Bentley, which means it can run on either petrol or E85 bioethanol, or both. This approach, coupled with more radical developments, will be applied to the rest of the line-up over the next few years.
Priced at around R4,2 milion, the new car costs 15% more than the excellent 448 kW Speed. But is it worth it?
Well, it certainly looks a million dollars. All exterior chrome has been given a smoked-steel finish, the rear is slightly flared to hide a wider track and neat bonnet vents feed more air to the twin turbos. Together with larger exhaust pipes, those new 10-spoke alloys and a lowered stance, it’s subtly muscular.
If you want to stand out even further, you can choose one of two new exterior matt colours. There’s Dark Grey Satin and the Light Grey Satin shown here, although at around staggering R225 000 it’s an expensive option!
Inside, the the hide-trimmed carbon seats clamp you in place. New diamond-quilted Alcantara trim complements the hand-crafted leather to hint at a more sporting intent. The lack of rear seats – replaced by a load area separated by a carbon fibre beam – underlines this.
The Supersports rides slightly stiffer than the Speed, but at low speed the car remains a luxurious, refined Bentley. Thanks to the 800 N.m of torque available from just 1700 rpm, expect the W12 engine to idle past most national speed limits. Floor the accelerator however, and the Bentley Supersports will dismiss the 100 km/h mark in 3.9 seconds, 160 km/h in 8.9 and continue to head for the horizon at 326 km/h.
Carbon ceramic brakes are bound to be impressive. Along with the stiffer suspension, the reduction in un-sprung mass from the brakes should work to provide better corenring agility.
While Bentley does not describe the car as a GT – without four seats, it can’t be, says the firm – the model is still a superb long-distance tourer. For most buyers, the Speed offers more than enough pace. But for those lucky enough to have the funds, the Supersports is a desirable addition that might prove too hard to resist.
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