Bentley has brought back the Continental Supersports in the form of a stripped-back, rear-wheel-drive two-seater producing 657bhp. The company describes it as the most dynamic road car it has ever created.
This new flagship, limited to 500 units, will reach buyers from March at an estimated price of £400,000—well above the current GT Speed’s £237,000 base. Internally known as Project Mildred, in tribute to 1929 endurance racer Mildred Mary Petre, the model also signals Bentley’s intention to launch more extreme, performance-driven vehicles.
Although it originates from the latest Continental GT, Bentley’s CEO Frank Walliser stresses that the Supersports differs heavily from the standard grand tourer. It introduces several firsts for a road-legal Bentley: it is the first Continental sold solely with rear-wheel drive, carries the largest front splitter the firm has ever fitted to a production car, and generates the highest downforce of any model to leave the Crewe factory.
Arriving exactly a century after the debut of the original 3 Litre Super Sports, the revived badge no longer represents outright power in an era of electrification and near-1000bhp EVs. Instead, the focus is on creating the most engaging Bentley to drive.
Lightweight engineering
A major part of this brief is weight reduction. At just under 2000kg, the Supersports is around 500kg lighter than the GT Speed and stands as the lightest Bentley since the 1940 Mark V.
This has been achieved by removing hybrid components, switching from four-wheel to rear-wheel drive, and adopting extensive carbonfibre. The roof, usually aluminium, is now carbonfibre to reduce mass and lower the centre of gravity. The rear seats, sound insulation, some speakers, and a range of driver assistance systems have also been deleted.
Power comes from a significantly revised version of Bentley’s twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. Strengthened internals and larger turbochargers raise output to 657bhp and 590lb ft, giving the highest power-per-litre figure of any Bentley engine to date.
The familiar ZF eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox receives upgraded clutches and new software for more decisive shifts, particularly during heavy braking.
The result is 0–62mph in 3.7 seconds. While not as quick as the hybrid-assisted GT Speed or the Aston Martin DB12 S, straight-line speed was not the project’s main aim.
Rear-wheel-drive focus
This is the first road-going Continental—aside from GT3 race machines—to send power exclusively to the rear wheels. To accommodate this, the rear track has been widened by 16mm.
Handling is further enhanced through software-controlled systems, including torque vectoring paired with an electronic limited-slip differential. Bespoke steering calibration, suspension tuning, and traction management also distinguish the Supersports from the standard GT.
The chassis uses double wishbones at the front and a multi-link rear axle, complemented by air springs and rear-wheel steering. New twin-chamber dampers feature as well.
Aggressive aerodynamics
Designers say every exterior element serves a functional purpose. The reshaped front bumper incorporates Bentley’s largest production splitter. A lightweight mesh grille, stacked dive planes, prominent side sills, extended wing blades, a rebuilt rear diffuser, and a bold boot spoiler all contribute to significantly increased downforce—over 300kg more than the GT Speed—while keeping weight distribution at 54:46 front to rear.
When equipped with optional Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tyres on 22-inch wheels, Bentley claims the car can corner up to 30% faster than a GT Speed, producing as much as 1.3g of lateral grip.
Focused interior
Inside, the Supersports combines purposeful design with classic Bentley craftsmanship. Lightweight carbonfibre bucket seats sit lower than those in the GT Speed, and a carbonfibre tub replaces the rear seating area. The cabin retains the 12.3-inch touchscreen and digital driver display, with extensive leather and carbonfibre trim throughout.
Production starts in September, and most allocations are expected to go to the US, Bentley’s largest market.
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