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Bentley Continental Supersports: Greenest, most powerful Bentley ever

03/03/2009, 6:07 AM

By Drew Johnson

Bentley has officially unveiled its Continental Supersports at the Geneva Motor Show, marking the luxury marque’s most-powerful and most environmentally friendly model to date. As previously reported on these pages, the Continental Supersports is capable of running on both gasoline and biofuel, which seriously ups the Continentals performance quotient. The Supersports puts out 621-horsepower and runs to 60 mph in a mere 3.7 seconds before topping out at 204 mph.

Bentley says the Continental Supersports will be available worldwide in fall of this year, though the flex fuel capability won’t hit the North American market until summer of 2010.

The Continental Supersports features a new ZF-developed Quickshift transmission that, according to Bentley, halves shift times, helping it accelerate to 60 in well under 4 seconds. All-wheel-drive is standard, with a 40:60 front:rear split to reduce understeer. A wider track and lightweight 20 inch alloy wheels set it apart from standard Supersports, as well.

Carbon ceramic brakes should pull the heavy car to a stop, though Bentley actually reduced weight by 243 lbs over the standard Continental GT Speed.

The car’s 6-liter W12 engine received a thorough going-over to accommodate the E85 fuel. The 621-horsepower figure is joined by 590 lb-ft. of torque available from 1,700-5,600 rpm.

Bentley says that adding E85 capability offers an emissions reduction of up to 70 percent wheel-to-wheel, a figure that “takes into account the fuel’s net contribution to the atmosphere,” not just its tailpipe emissions. In other words, the E85 capability does reduce tailpipe emissions, but the fuel is cleaner to produce. Don’t look for Prius-like greenness here.

Bentley says that the Supersports began as an “under the radar” in-house project designed to reduce the standard Continental GT’s weight and add more power and torque, but an emphasis on renewable fuel helped result in the “greener” Continental GT.

Bentley says that styling upgrades are of the “form follows function” variety – evident by large air intakes festooned to the front fascia. Unique rear wheel arches, smoked-finish exterior trim and twin tailpipes further set the Continental Supersports apart.

Inside, the cabin is uniquely trimmed and sports lightweight seats (a 99 lb. reduction). Alcantara trim is standard throughout.

The Supersports badge revives a 1925 two-seater (pictured at the end of the gallery) that was the first Bentley to reach 100 mph.

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03/03, 10:48 AM

posted by:

FlyingB

I don’t think there’s anything here that we haven’t talked about already, so I’ll just say to everyone who’s going: enjoy the Geneva show!

While I’d (of course) urge everyone to stop by and see our display, I think you’d regret not spending some time at the display of another classic British marque, Aston Martin. They have a great showcase here, too–good show, friends. Despite not being under the same corporate umbrella, I know both companies are proud of our common national heritage.

 
 
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