For a very long time, buying a high-performance Bentley meant participating in a specific kind of physics experiment: how quickly could massive twin-turbocharged engines propel an ultra-luxurious, leather-bound fortress down a straight line? It was grand touring by sheer force of will, relying on standard all-wheel drive to keep thousands of pounds of luxury firmly glued to the pavement.
But TopGear just tore up the script.
With the global rollout of the new Continental GT Supersports, Bentley didn’t just build a faster Grand Tourer they accidentally engineered the most engaging, visceral, and unadulterated fun car of the year.
Functional Minimalism: The Art of Stripping Out
To understand why this car feels so completely different, you have to understand what’s missing. Bentley went on an absolute engineering diet, cutting an astonishing 1,100 pounds compared to the standard Continental GT.
By ditching the heavy plug-in hybrid systems, removing the front-axle driveshafts, swapping the aluminum roof for rigid carbon fiber, and deleting the back seats entirely, the Supersports drops comfortably below the two-tonne mark at 4,409 pounds. It is officially the lightest Bentley road car in 85 years.
Step inside, and you’re greeted by a cabin that has undergone a masterclass in functional minimalism. The rear seats have been replaced by a gorgeous, leather-wrapped carbon fiber tub. Sound insulation has been drastically dialed back, and extraneous driver-assist sensors have been tossed into the recycling bin.
Yet, it doesn’t bother the soul. This isn’t a harsh, punishing race car cabin that makes your back ache; it retains that tactile, bespoke craftsmanship Crewe is famous for, just focused entirely on the act of driving. You sit lower in deeply bolstered sports seats, completely connected to the machine.
Mean, Sexy, and Deliberately Aggressive
Visually, the Supersports drops any pretense of old-money subtlety. It looks mean, sharp, and undeniably sexy.
The front fascia is dominated by the largest front splitter ever fitted to a road-going Bentley, flanked by carbon fiber dive planes and a laser-cut mesh grille that looks like it wants to inhale the tarmac. Out back, a fixed rear wing and an aggressive motorsport diffuser work together to generate over 660 pounds of additional downforce. It sits wider, lower, and rolls on stunning 22-inch forged alloy wheels developed with Manthey Racing, framing massive 440mm carbon-ceramic brakes.
A Confusingly Delightful Rear-Wheel-Drive Dynamic
Under the carbon fiber hood sits a pure, non-hybrid 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 pumping out 657 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque. Because it’s unburdened by heavy batteries, it boasts the highest power density of any Bentley engine in history.
But the real magic happens at the rear axle. For the first time in the modern era, Bentley has routed 100% of that V8 power exclusively to the rear wheels through a razor-sharp 8-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Performance Metric | Specification |
|---|---|
Engine | 4.0L Twin-Turbo V8 (Non-Hybrid) |
Output | 657 hp / 590 lb-ft of torque |
Drivetrain | Rear-Wheel Drive (RWD) with eLSD |
0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) | 3.7 Seconds |
Top Speed | 192 mph (310 km/h) |
Weight Reduction | ~1,100 lbs vs standard Continental GT |
Driving it is a confusingly delightful experience. Your brain expects the heavy, stabilizing understeer of a traditional 2.5-tonne grand tourer. Instead, the nose darts into corners with effortless agility, courtesy of the lightened front end and bespoke rear-wheel steering.
When you mat the throttle, the Akrapovič titanium exhaust shrieks a raw, mechanical V8 growl directly into the cabin. The electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) and recalibrated stability control allow you to lean into the chassis, unlocking a playful, adjustable oversteer that lets you steer the car with your right foot. It is a big, luxurious coupe that wants to play, dance, and occasionally act like a purebred hoonigan if you dare to turn the traction control off.
Bentley set out to celebrate a century of their “Super Sports” heritage, but they ended up doing something far more important: they proved that removing the noise and embracing mechanical purity can deliver pure, unadulterated driving joy. It’s easily the most refreshing automotive surprise of the year.
