Bentley unveils rear-wheel-drive 657-hp Supersports

The Supersports is said to be the most driver-focused version of the Continental GT ever.

Bentley Supersports in burnout — *The Bentley Supersports is a rear-wheel-drive two-seater. – Bentley Motors photo*

Bentley has taken the covers off what it calls the most driver-focused Continental GT ever.

The automaker unveiled the Supersports. This is just the fourth time in Bentley has produced a car called Supersports. The first one, released 100 years ago, was the Super Sports.

“The new Supersports is more than just the most driver-focused Bentley yet. 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,” said Bentley chair and CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser in a news release.

“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. This is the first project developed from start-to-finish since I joined Bentley Motors, and I’m proud of our team and the speed at which we’ve created a car so different to the GT on which it’s based.”

Bentley Supersports front and side — *The Bentley Supersports sends all its power to the rear wheels only. – Bentley Motors photo*

Supersports specs

This version of the Continental GT is built with a strict focus on driver focus.

The car weighs almost half a tonne less than the Continental GT, coming in with a weight of less than 2,000 kilograms.

The car sheds the Continental GT’s hybrid powertrain and goes with an internal combustion engine only. The car also sheds all-wheel drive in favour of a more engaging rear-wheel-drive setup.

Power output and top speed numbers are actually down compared to the Continental GT, but Bentley points out those are not the numbers the Supersports was built for. The car was built to engage the driver.

The car features a 4-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with 657 hp and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. That’s 14 hp less than the Continental GT with the High Performance Hybrid powertrain and 114 hp less than the Continental GT Speed with the Ultra High Performance Hybrid powertrain.

Bentley Supersports rear and side — *The Bentley Supersports is less powerful but built to be more dynamic than the Continental GT on which it is based. – Bentley Motors photo*

The Supersports’ engine was fitted with a stronger crankcase, uprated cylinder heads and larger turbos.

The engine is mated to a ZF eight-speed dual-clutrch transmission, which received upgraded clutches and a new shifted strategy. Bentley said shifts are sharper and more responsive now and downshifting during braking delivers optimal stability and driver confidence.

A full-length titanium exhaust, developed with partners Akrapovič, is said to deliver a deep, powerful and authentic tune, and there is no artificial in-cabin enhancement.

Zero to 100 km/h is said to arrive in 3.7 seconds and the top speed is around 310 km/h (192 mph), but these figures have yet to be verified.

Power is sent to the rear wheels via an electronic limited slip differential (eLSD). The car also has torque vectoring by brake for sharper turn-ins and maximum traction.

The car retains the Continental GT’s rear-wheel steering for maximum agility and stability.

The car’s electronic stability control (ESC) was reworked, as were the calibrations for the steering, suspension and traction management.

The driver can select through the ESC how much assistance they want, with the availability of fully-on to fully-off modes.

Bentley Supersports front end — *The car’s numerous exterior changes give it huge downforce. – Bentley Motors photo*

Bentley Dynamic Ride, an electric anti-roll control system, can apply as much as 1,300 Nm (959 lb.-ft.) of anti-roll reaction torque in 0.3 seconds.

If you need to stop, the car is fitted with 440-mm carbon-silicon-carbide discs up front, described as the largest automotive braking system in the world, and 10-piston calipers. The rear wheels get 410-mm discs and four-piston calipers.

Thanks to the car’s carbon fibre dive planes, side sills, fender blades and a rear diffuser and fixed rear wing, the Supersports generates more than 300 kilograms of downforce than the Continental GT Speed.

The car rides on 22-inch forged and machined aluminum alloy wheels developed with Manthey Racing.

There are two tire options, the standard Pirelli P-Zero tires or Trofeo RS performance tires. With the Trofeo RS tires, the car can hit up to 1.3g peak lateral force and can corner about 30 per cent quicker than a Continental GT Speed.

Bentley Supersports cabin — *The Bentley Supersports only sports two seats. – Bentley Motors photo*

Interior

The Supersports is a two-seater with the Continental GT’s rear cabin area replaced by a carbon fibre and leather shell.

Occupants sit on lightweight sports seat with more lateral bolstering and a lower position in the car. The seats have 11-way electric adjustment and heating.

Bentley Supersports seat backs — *The Bentley Supersports has lightweight sports seats. – Bentley Motors photo*

Only 500 will be made

Bentley will build just 500 of these Supersports models, each one handmade in Crewe, England.

The cars are individually numbered and customers can request a specific number.

Bentley said the Supersports will only be sold in some markets but did not say which.

The car is currently in pre-production. The company will begin taking orders in March 2026 and production will start in the fourth quarter of 2026.

Pricing wasn’t provided.

More information is available on the Bentley Motors website.