Bentley Continental Supersports: The Lightest, Track-Focused Bentley in 85 Years

Key points

• The Supersports is the lightest Bentley road car in 85 years, weighing approximately 4,400 pounds, which is over 1,000 pounds less than the Continental GT Speed.
• It utilizes a rear-wheel-drive layout with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine producing 657 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque, eliminating the plug-in hybrid system and front axle drive.
• The car features 17.3-inch carbon-ceramic front brakes, the largest fitted to any road car, and an aerodynamic package that generates up to 660 pounds of additional downforce.
• Pirelli developed two specific tire fitments: the P Zero for daily driving and the P Zero Trofeo RS for track use, which enables the car to reach 1.3g of lateral acceleration.
• Production is limited to 500 units, all of which are already sold, with a base price of $486,000 and fully specified examples likely exceeding $500,000.

Background

Bentley has historically focused on heavy, high-tech luxury vehicles, often criticized for weight. The Supersports represents a shift toward performance, building on the brand's motorsport heritage, including the 2020 Bathurst 12 Hours victory with the Continental GT3. This model follows the 2015 GT3-R but with more significant weight reduction and rear-wheel drive.

How outlets are covering it

Road & Track emphasizes the car's track potential but notes that traction control limits driver engagement, cutting throttle abruptly during oversteer. Ars Technica highlights the engineering effort to strip the car down, comparing it to Porsche's stripped-out models, and notes the comfort of the seats despite the weight reduction. The Drive praises the car's composed handling and V8 sound but criticizes the dual-clutch gearbox's shift logic for being too conservative. Pirelli focuses on the technical development of the tires, noting that the Trofeo RS tires exceeded the electronic control systems' grip expectations during testing.

Why it matters

The Supersports demonstrates Bentley's ability to create a high-performance, lightweight vehicle without sacrificing luxury, appealing to a niche market of buyers seeking track capability. Its sold-out status indicates strong demand for exclusive, high-performance luxury cars, despite the high price point.

What to watch

The 500 units are already allocated, so availability is limited to existing buyers. Future models may incorporate similar weight-saving techniques, but the Supersports remains a one-off limited edition. Bentley may continue to explore performance variants, but the Supersports sets a new benchmark for the brand's track capabilities.