New Bentley Supersports: The Lightest Continental GT
Bentley marks one hundred years since the first “Super Sports” by bringing back the Supersports nameplate for only the fourth time in its history. The new Bentley Supersports stands as the most driver-focused Continental GT yet, with Rear Wheel Drive, a dedicated two-seat cabin, and a gross weight of under 2 tonnes. A non-hybrid, pure internal combustion powertrain sits at its core, with a new 666 PS (657 bhp) and 800 Nm twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that drives only the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Carbon-ceramic brakes, newly developed 22-inch lightweight forged wheels developed with Manthey Racing, and a full-length Akrapovič titanium exhaust system all come as standard. At the same time, Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres are available for drivers who want maximum track-ready performance.
The exterior of the new Bentley Continental GT Supersports takes on its most purposeful form to date, with every feature shaped to maximise downforce and reduce weight. A new front bumper integrates the most prominent front splitter ever fitted to a Bentley road car and channels cooling air directly to the engine and front brakes. Carbon fibre dive planes, extended side sills, B-shaped fender blades, a rear diffuser and a fixed rear wing work together to generate more than 300 kg of downforce, more than a Continental GT Speed. Bentley replaces the traditional roof panel with a carbon fibre section that reduces mass, lowers the centre of gravity and maintains structural stiffness for precise handling.
Inside, the two-seat cabin reinforces the performance intent of the new Bentley Supersports. New, highly bolstered sports seats sit lower in the car, and Bentley replaces the rear cabin with a sculpted carbon fibre and leather shell. Customers can choose monotone, duo-tone or tri-tone interiors, while leather, Dinamica and visible carbon fibre dominate the surfaces to create a focused, motorsport-inspired driving environment.
Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser, comments: “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 unique and bespoke pieces of automotive artwork for each customer. 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.”
The story of the new Bentley Supersports begins with Project Mildred, an idea first proposed in September 2024. A small engineering team at Crewe explored how a Rear Wheel Drive, sub-two-tonne Continental GT might behave dynamically and received approval to build a single test mule. Just six weeks later, that mule ran on track and convincingly proved the concept, prompting Bentley to green-light development of the new Supersports with a compact, highly focused engineering group working under strict confidentiality.
To protect secrecy, the team chose a codename inspired by Bentley’s past and the remarkable story of Mildred Mary Petre. Born in 1895, she set records on land, sea and in the air as a racing driver, powerboat racer and pilot. In 1929, she drove a Bentley 4½ Litre solo around the Montlhéry circuit in France for 24 hours, averaging almost 90 mph and setting a new endurance record. That feat still impresses today and seemed extraordinary in the 1920s. Her fearless spirit and constant push beyond perceived limits captured the engineers' imagination, who named their new project Mildred in her honour.
The Supersports name itself carries a rich Bentley lineage. “Super Sports” first appeared in 1925 on a version of the 3 Litre, which gained an uprated engine and a shorter, lighter chassis, making it the first Bentley capable of more than 100 mph. That original Super Sports also established the rarity that still defines the badge, as Bentley built only 18 examples. After decades of quiet, the Supersports name, now combined into one word, returned in 2009 on a 204 mph flagship that sat at the top of the first-generation Continental GT range. That model introduced the first two-seat layout for the Continental family, shed 100 kg compared with the standard car and became the most driver-focused Bentley of its time.
In 2017, Bentley surpassed that car with a faster, more dramatic successor, the second-generation Continental GT. As with the first Continental Supersports, it used a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 but now produced 710 PS, making it the most powerful Bentley built up to that point. Bentley limited production to 710 examples, matching the power figure. Each generation of Supersports has represented the ultimate expression of performance for its respective model line. The new Bentley Continental Supersports follows that tradition yet shifts the emphasis from top speed to driver engagement. Engineers have targeted the most intense connection between driver and car in Bentley history by combining significant weight reduction with a new powertrain and a purist Rear Wheel Drive layout.
At the heart of the first Rear Wheel Drive Continental GT road car, aside from the GT3 race cars, sits a strengthened 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8. Bentley re-engineers the crankcase, upgrades the cylinder heads and fits larger turbochargers to achieve the highest power density of any Bentley engine at 666 PS (657 bhp), or 166.5 PS per litre, with 800 Nm of torque. The ZF eight-speed double-clutch transmission, familiar from other Bentley models, receives uprated clutches and a bespoke shift strategy for the Supersports. Gear changes feel sharper and more responsive, while the downshift mapping during braking has been tuned for stability and confidence, particularly on circuit or fast road drives.
The engine breathes through a full-length titanium exhaust, developed with long-standing partner Akrapovič and reserved exclusively for the Supersports. Bentley tunes the cross-plane V8 note to deliver a deep, powerful and authentic soundtrack without artificial in-cabin enhancement. The system amplifies character across the rev range, so that every throttle input reinforces the connection between the engine and the driver. Bentley forecasts a sprint from 0 to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of around 192 mph (310 km/h), with final verified figures to follow. Yet the brand places greater emphasis on how this new Bentley GT behaves dynamically than on headline numbers.
To create that dynamic character, Bentley’s chassis engineers embrace the opportunity to make the new Supersports the first Rear Wheel Drive Continental GT road car in history. Power feeds exclusively to the rear axle through an electronically limited-slip differential, which works with torque vectoring by brake to sharpen turn-in and maximise traction as the driver picks up the throttle. Bentley widens the rear track by 16 mm compared with the Continental GT and retains rear-wheel steering for both agility at lower speeds and stability at higher speeds. Engineers recalibrate steering, suspension, traction management and ESC systems entirely to suit the new layout.
ESC settings give the driver precise control over the amount of assistance they receive. The fully-on mode supports maximum stability for everyday driving, while Dynamic Mode allows a degree of slip and oversteer within carefully defined limits. In the fully-off setting, the driver takes complete control of the rear axle and can provoke progressive, controllable oversteer, transforming the grand tourer into a highly expressive sports car on road or track.
Bentley introduces three bespoke configurations to the Drive Dynamics Controller for the Supersports. Touring mode mirrors the performance character of Sport mode in a Continental GT Speed. Still, it adds increased ride height, softer damping, and a more discreet exhaust note for long-distance comfort in this high-performance Continental. Bentley mode moves beyond Touring with more assertive gearbox mapping, sharper throttle response and firmer chassis settings, while the exhaust valves open to enrich the sound and launch control becomes available. Sport mode pushes the configuration to its most focused setting, with the sharpest chassis and powertrain responses and maximum driver engagement for spirited driving.
Underneath, the chassis uses aluminium double wishbones at the front and a multi-link rear axle, with air springs and new twin-chamber dampers that an ECU controls independently in bump and rebound. Bentley Dynamic Ride, the 48V electric anti-roll control system, can apply up to 1,300 Nm of anti-roll torque in just 0.3 seconds, keeping the body level and the tyres in optimal contact with the road. The braking system ranks as the largest fitted to any production car, with 440 mm Carbon-Silicon-Carbide discs and 10-piston callipers at the front and 410 mm discs with four-piston callipers at the rear. Black callipers are standard, while red-painted callipers offer a more vivid, motorsport-inspired look.
The new Bentley Supersports rides on 22-inch forged and machined aluminium alloy wheels developed with Manthey Racing. Customers can choose Black Painted or Black Painted and Machined finishes, the latter introducing a bright metal accent. Bentley offers two tyre options exclusively for the Supersports. Standard fitment is the Pirelli P Zero performance tyre, while the optional Pirelli Trofeo RS tyre takes grip to a new level. With Trofeo RS tyres fitted, chassis revisions and weight savings allow the Supersports to corner around 30 per cent faster than a Continental GT Speed, generating up to 1.3 g of peak lateral force.
In engineering terms, the new Supersports is the lightest Bentley in 85 years, weighing under 2,000 kg. The most significant weight saving comes from the powertrain, as Bentley focuses on ICE-only propulsion and Rear Wheel Drive without hybrid hardware. The carbon fibre roof panel replaces the usual aluminium, trimming mass and lowering the centre of gravity, yet preserving strength and refinement. Bentley deletes the rear cabin environment, including seats, seatbelts and most rear sound insulation, and reconfigures the audio system for front occupants only. The brand also removes selected driver assistance systems that do not suit the brief of a purist, driver-focused GT, shaving further kilograms.
Every new exterior detail plays a role in making this the most assertive Bentley Grand Tourer yet. Bentley crafts new carbon fibre elements to meet strict weight targets, including a lower front bumper with an integrated front splitter, the most prominent aerodynamic splitter the company has ever fitted to a road-going model. The bumper incorporates two new cooling channels on each side, which feed air separately to the front brakes and the engine. Above sits a new lightweight mesh grille, unique to the Supersports, laser-cut from fine aluminium for both strength and visual delicacy. Two pairs of stacked dive planes stand at the corners of the front bumper and work with the splitter to reduce front lift. New carbon-fibre side sills run the length of the wheelbase, while B-shaped fender blades behind the front wheels manage airflow from the arches, extracting high-pressure air and guiding it along the body sides.
At the rear, a new diffuser forms part of a completely reworked bumper that incorporates vents for the rear wheel arches, while a one-piece fixed spoiler crowns the boot lid, adding both downforce and visual drama. Extensive testing ensures that every aerodynamic piece serves a clear purpose, with no element included purely for appearance. Together, these components generate more than 300 kg of additional downforce, more than a Continental GT Speed, while maintaining lift balance along the length of the car and supporting a dynamic weight distribution that starts at 54:46 front-to-rear when stationary and shifts progressively rearward as speed rises. Final carbon fibre accents include the wing mirror caps and the engine cover.
The cabin of the new Bentley Supersports matches the intent of the exterior and chassis. It draws inspiration from the precision and energy of modern motorsport while retaining the handcrafted luxury expected from a Bentley Grand Tourer. Restricting the layout to two seats strengthens the focus on driver engagement as the defining purpose of the car. Every detail is engineered to enhance the driving experience and to redefine performance-focused luxury within the Bentley range.
New lightweight sports seats for the driver and passenger offer increased lateral support, a lower seating position and carbon fibre elements across the shoulder area. The seats retain 11-way electric adjustment and seat heating, blending comfort with support. Bentley replaces the rear cabin with a lightweight, precision-engineered carbon fibre tub that wraps around the space. A leather wraparound finish seamlessly integrates the tub into the rest of the interior, creating a clean, purposeful layout that underscores the Supersports’ role as a serious driver’s car.
High gloss carbon fibre veneers on the waistrails and fascia panels come as standard and pair with a carefully balanced mix of leather and Dinamica. Bentley places Dinamica on the centres of the seat backs and cushions, the door centre panels and the headlining for a tactile, technical feel. Supersports embroidery and badging appear throughout the cabin. At the same time, each car features an individually numbered badge on the centre console, reinforcing its status as a limited edition Bentley Continental GT Supersports.
Bentley will individually number every Supersports before it leaves the factory, and customers can request specific numbers within the 500 examples that craftsmen and women will build by hand in Crewe. Paint choices begin with a core palette of 24 performance-oriented colours. At the same time, Mulliner offers further finishes, Supersports logos and matt paint options for those who wish to personalise their car even further. Beyond single-tone exteriors, Bentley’s design team has created five Design Themes. These include either a subtle vertical stripe and Supersports script in a contrasting colour on the lower body side behind the front wheel or a set of painted stripes in two contrasting colours across the rear quarters.
Exterior carbon fibre elements can be specified in high gloss, while customers may choose to have the lower components fully painted or delicately pinstriped. In the cabin, 22 Main Hide colours join 11 Secondary Hide and nine Accent Hide options. Drivers can select single tone, standard duo-tone, or a unique new tri-tone colour split, while Dark Chrome Specification is standard. For those who prefer metal rather than carbon fibre for the interior, Bentley offers Diamond Brushed or Engine Turned Aluminium in a Dark Tint finish, or the pure, understated look of Piano Black veneer.
The launch imagery for the new Bentley Supersports features a Design Theme called “Nightfall”. This specification pairs Anthracite gloss exterior paint with Camel accents on the lower bodywork, Camel lower striping and a contrasting number 8 in the grille. Inside, the car combines Beluga and Camel hides with Bronze accent details. The car revealed in New York at the global debut showcases a specification named “Daybreak”, finished in Jetstream Matte with a Design Theme livery in Arctica and Portofino. Its interior blends Damson leather with Light Blue and Pillar Box Red accents to create a striking, contemporary expression of Bentley luxury.
Bentley plans to celebrate the launch of the new Supersports with the most dynamic film in the brand’s history, premiering in Dubai in January. Order books open in March, with production scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2026 and first customer deliveries due at the beginning of 2027. The new Bentley Supersports will be available in the United Kingdom, across Europe, including the EU27, Switzerland and Turkey, as well as in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Malaysia, Oman, Bahrain, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait, giving drivers in key global markets the chance to experience the most engaging Bentley Continental GT yet.
