Continental Supersports first drive by Autocar
Aug 22, 2009 | 07:22 AM
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Continental Supersports first drive by Autocar
Bentley Continental Supersports
What is it?
The most powerful and fastest Bentley ever produced. As if that weren’t accolade enough, it’s also the greenest, because the Bentley Continental GT Supersport can run on E85 Ethanol or any mix of the eco-friendly plant-based fuel and normal petrol. Putting pure E85 in the Supersport reduces the well-to-wheel CO2 emissions by 70 per cent, or to below 120g/km, according to Bentley execs.
Greenhouse gases aside, the Supersport lives up to its name by cutting as much as 110kg from the GT Speed’s kerb weight, and getting a further 21bhp from the W12 engine. An upgraded ‘Quickshift’ version of the standard car’s six-speed automatic gearbox also cuts gearshift times by half.
What’s it like?
Brutally fast, and impressively responsive for a car that still has Grand Tourer DNA at its roots. The whole package feels taut, with light but direct steering providing a very immediate connection to the car. The width can limit real-world ability on Britain’s narrow roads but it’s clear that the prodigious level of torque and power, together with this sharper, more accurate set-up and dramatically rapid gearshifts, make it every bit a car that you want to push hard.
Nail the throttle from a standstill and the rush of speed feels as visceral as it does in much more extravagant supercars, with the ZF transmission’s admirable work barely noticed due to a general preoccupation with controlling the 2240kg of Bentley that’s hurtling towards three-figure speeds.
But making the Bentley Continental, which was never slow, so heart-stoppingly quick is the least significant aspect of this car. By far the greatest achievement is its new-found ability to handle as you would expect of a much lighter, more track-oriented car whilst still maintaining its impressive ride comfort and cruising ability.
Shift from S to D and the car settles into a firm but well controlled GT that would manage a serene lope across continents, while offering a cabin that still has the lavish comforts that you would expect from a Bentley.
Should I buy one?
Absolutely. The Continental GT Supersport is more than just a faster version of a well established model. The newfound level of handling ability alone makes it clear that the Supersport deserves much more than that base differentiation.
When you consider that by using a complex engine management system Bentley has redefined what we should expect of green luxury cars, it’s obvious how significant it really is.
There are sharper-handling cars for less money, but the Supersport represents something more than just a new supercar. And even if it didn’t, there are few rivals that can so effortlessly traverse the divide from track to autobahn to Premier League football club.
Bentley Continental Supersports - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk
What is it?
The most powerful and fastest Bentley ever produced. As if that weren’t accolade enough, it’s also the greenest, because the Bentley Continental GT Supersport can run on E85 Ethanol or any mix of the eco-friendly plant-based fuel and normal petrol. Putting pure E85 in the Supersport reduces the well-to-wheel CO2 emissions by 70 per cent, or to below 120g/km, according to Bentley execs.
Greenhouse gases aside, the Supersport lives up to its name by cutting as much as 110kg from the GT Speed’s kerb weight, and getting a further 21bhp from the W12 engine. An upgraded ‘Quickshift’ version of the standard car’s six-speed automatic gearbox also cuts gearshift times by half.
What’s it like?
Brutally fast, and impressively responsive for a car that still has Grand Tourer DNA at its roots. The whole package feels taut, with light but direct steering providing a very immediate connection to the car. The width can limit real-world ability on Britain’s narrow roads but it’s clear that the prodigious level of torque and power, together with this sharper, more accurate set-up and dramatically rapid gearshifts, make it every bit a car that you want to push hard.
Nail the throttle from a standstill and the rush of speed feels as visceral as it does in much more extravagant supercars, with the ZF transmission’s admirable work barely noticed due to a general preoccupation with controlling the 2240kg of Bentley that’s hurtling towards three-figure speeds.
But making the Bentley Continental, which was never slow, so heart-stoppingly quick is the least significant aspect of this car. By far the greatest achievement is its new-found ability to handle as you would expect of a much lighter, more track-oriented car whilst still maintaining its impressive ride comfort and cruising ability.
Shift from S to D and the car settles into a firm but well controlled GT that would manage a serene lope across continents, while offering a cabin that still has the lavish comforts that you would expect from a Bentley.
Should I buy one?
Absolutely. The Continental GT Supersport is more than just a faster version of a well established model. The newfound level of handling ability alone makes it clear that the Supersport deserves much more than that base differentiation.
When you consider that by using a complex engine management system Bentley has redefined what we should expect of green luxury cars, it’s obvious how significant it really is.
There are sharper-handling cars for less money, but the Supersport represents something more than just a new supercar. And even if it didn’t, there are few rivals that can so effortlessly traverse the divide from track to autobahn to Premier League football club.
Bentley Continental Supersports - Road Test First Drive - Autocar.co.uk
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