Bentley Reveals First Glimpse of the Upcoming Continental Supersports
Latest Update: Bentley has shared a preliminary image hinting at the new Continental Supersports. The teaser showcases a dimly lit rear view of the vehicle, celebrating the "revival of a classic name," the company announced.
Heading Bentley's vision is Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, a passionate automotive expert. Previously with Porsche, Walliser was instrumental in developing the 918 Spyder, led the Motorsport division, and managed the 718 and 911 series. Since becoming Bentley's CEO last year, he has been shaping the brand's future.
Autocar earlier indicated that Bentley is preparing to launch a new Continental Supersports model that will eliminate the standard Continental GT’s hybrid system and all-wheel drive. The recent teaser appears to confirm that Bentley is developing a Continental powered by a formidable 640-horsepower V-8 engine driving only the rear wheels. According to Autocar, this could be the first of several more "focused" Bentley models, with Walliser eager to highlight the brand’s racing legacy.
Bentley has previously used the Continental Supersports name twice for its earlier Continental GT models, both of which were premium versions featuring enhanced versions of Bentley’s former twin-turbocharged W-12 engine. With that engine no longer in production, the new Continental will rely solely on a V-8. All current Continental GT variants utilize a V-8 paired with a hybrid system, and the Continental GT Speed offers additional power enhancements.
While the concept of a "focused" Bentley might seem unusual, there is some history behind it. The GT3-R from 2014-2015 featured several weight-reduction techniques such as removing the rear seats, replacing the W-12 with a V-8, and adding a carbon-fiber wing. This model was associated with Bentley’s Continental GT3 race car, which is no longer active in racing.
Celebrating Bentley's Motorsport Heritage
In recent years, Bentley has strongly embraced its sporting heritage. The marque won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times between 1924 and 1930, and again in 2003. Although much of the 20th century saw Bentley under Rolls-Royce ownership, producing mostly rebadged Rollers alongside the Turbo R in the 1980s, the company has since regained its performance reputation.
Following the acquisition by the Volkswagen Group in 1998, Bentley has further intensified its focus on performance vehicles. This new Supersports model will be the first rear-wheel drive Continental GT ever produced and will be the most powerful rear-wheel drive vehicle on its platform. The Continental shares its architecture with the Porsche Panamera, which only offers rear-wheel drive in its 348-horsepower base model.
The current Continental GT is highly regarded for its driving dynamics, and with Dr. Walliser’s impressive background, expectations for the new Supersports are high. Autocar anticipates that the model will make its debut before the year's end.
