Bentley's 2027 Supersports: A 500-Unit, Track-Focused Coupe That Is Already Sold Out

Key points

• The 2027 Bentley Supersports is the lightest Bentley road car in 85 years, weighing approximately 4,398 pounds.
• It uses a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 producing 657 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque, sent exclusively to the rear wheels.
• The car features 17.3-inch carbon-ceramic front brakes, the largest for any road car, and an electronic limited-slip differential.
• Production is capped at 500 units globally, and all allocations are already sold out.
• The base price is approximately $490,000, though fully customized examples may cost significantly more.

Background

Bentley has historically prioritized luxury and maximalism, resulting in heavy vehicles like the W12-powered Continental GT. Previous performance models, such as the 2015 Continental GT3-R, retained all-wheel drive and significant weight, limiting their track capability. The Supersports represents a shift toward a 'skunkworks' approach, stripping out non-essential components to create a dedicated performance coupe, a strategy similar to Porsche's track-focused road cars.

How outlets are covering it

The Drive emphasizes the car's dramatic weight reduction and its potential as a track-ready vehicle, noting that it is the first Bentley to truly excel in this area. Ars Technica highlights the engineering details, such as the 48V active anti-roll bars and the car's status as the lightest Bentley since 1941, while questioning if more weight could be cut by removing comfort features. Road & Track praises the car's handling and braking but criticizes the traction control system for being too intrusive, cutting throttle abruptly during oversteer. Car and Driver focuses on the visual and auditory changes, noting the Akrapovič exhaust and the car's aggressive aero kit, while confirming the sold-out status.

Why it matters

The Supersports marks a significant departure for Bentley, which has traditionally focused on luxury grand touring rather than track performance. Its success, evidenced by the sold-out status of all 500 units, suggests a market demand for high-performance, lightweight luxury vehicles. It also signals Bentley's willingness to explore new engineering approaches, potentially influencing future models and challenging competitors in the luxury performance segment.

What to watch

Bentley will begin delivering the 500 Supersports units to customers. The company may use the success of this model to inform future performance-oriented vehicles. Additionally, Bentley is expanding its electric vehicle lineup with the Torcal, indicating a broader strategy to diversify its powertrain offerings while maintaining its luxury brand identity.