Bentley has revealed its fastest-accelerating model yet, the Continental Supersports, capable of achieving 0-100kph in 3.4sec.
It will be a swansong to the current second-generation Continental GT, which launched in 2011, ahead of an all-new version set to arrive in 2018.
With a top speed of 336kph, it is also the most powerful Bentley yet, with 710hp on tap and 1017Nm between 2,050 and 4,500rpm.
By comparison, its rival, the new Aston Martin DB11, hits 100kph in 3.9sec (approximately 3.8sec for 0-100kph) with a top speed of 321mph. Sitting alongside the coupé-bodied Supersports is the new Continental Supersports Convertible, which accelerates from 0-100kph in 3.7sec and hits a top speed of 205mph. Bentley claims the two cars are the fastest four-seat coupé and four-seat convertibles in the world.
The carmaker has redeveloped its W12 engine for the Supersports, giving the model higher-capacity turbochargers and a revised air-cooling system to create more boost – the result is an increase of 127hp over the standard W12-powered Continental GT.
These revisions also mean an increase of 80hp and 217Nm over the 2009 Supersports model, a 10 percent power-to-weight improvement. Top speed has increased by 8kph and the 0-100 time has reduced by 0.2sec.
It's also faster than both the hardcore GT3-R, launched in 2014, and the 643hp Continental GT Speed.
Carbon ceramic brakes are fitted behind lightweight 21-inch alloy wheels, which offer a 20kg weight saving in unsprung mass. Overall, the new Supersports is the lightest version of any Continental GT model ever produced.
Bentley has also focused on handling using an updated version of the torque vectoring system first seen on the Continental GT3-R, allowing individual front and rear wheel braking during acceleration out of corners to improve performance. The Supersports retains the rear-biased 60:40 torque split of the company’s all-wheel-drive system, but features lowered and stiffened dynamic suspension. Bentley says it retains “all of its luxurious ride quality”.
There are exterior tweaks for the range-topping Continental GT, including new front and rear bumpers, gloss-black tailpipe, and dark-tint lights.
The coupé version has an optional rear spoiler and 'Supersports' badging, while the convertible gets a multi-layer hood and neckwarmer.
The car’s interior uses three colours: there’s a new diamond-quilted design for the seats and door panels, and carbon-fibre fascia panels.
Buyers can opt for a titanium exhaust as well as personalisation packs consisting of eight two-tone paint colours and door mirrors.
To go on sale internationally in April this year, a Bentley spokesman said a “very limited number will be made available” but would not divulge more details. When the GT3-R launched in 2014, only 300 units were produced.
Speaking to our sister publication Autocar UK about the brand’s performance focus, Durheimer said: “The GT3-R showed that there is scope for Bentley to produce limited numbers of cars with an absolute focus on performance. They cannot be core brand models as they inevitably sacrifice some luxury, but as focused cars that are true to Bentley's performance history, they absolutely fit.
“The fact that the GT3-R is already a collectors' item - it sold out immediately and already sees rising values – tells you that our customers welcome such vehicles.”
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Viraaj Bhatnagar
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