The 2026 Bentley Supersports is what happens when you combine luxury with on-track performance

“Less is more” might appear a curious expression when used to a half-million-dollar, 199-mph, 657-horsepower twin-turbocharged V8 brute. In the context of the chic high-end barges we anticipate from British automobile maker Bentley, it’s appropriate to the 2026 Bentley Supersports

That is since this automobile is as noteworthy for what it does not have when it comes to what it has. The Supersports is a rear-drive, combustion-only variation of the Bentley Continental GTWhere that automobile has actually constantly used all-wheel drive, and the existing generation utilizes a hybrid-electric powertrain, the Supersports is the outcome of a “what-if” job by Bentley engineers.

They questioned what was possible if they removed the heavy all-wheel-drive and hybrid systems from the Continental GT and constructed a simply combustion-powered rear-drive automobile with track driving in mind. The response is the Supersports.

“Half-million dollars” is an approximation. The main beginning cost in the United States is $486,600, however Bentley has actually currently offered the whole production run, and every vehicle has actually been personalized, making sure none of the vehicles really cost the sale price.

“Each customer that has actually bought a cars and truck has actually dealt with our Mulliner department on co-creation,” stated Rocco. Even while validating that less is more, it does not harmed to include a couple of additional goodies.

The very same hybrid-electric system that added to the harmony of the Continental GT Speed we evaluated formerly likewise includes mass that is destructive to on-track efficiency. That automobile’s all-wheel-drive system supplies security throughout journeys to the ski chalet, however causes understeer in perky track driving.

Removing those elements not just develops a purer cars, however it likewise gets rid of an amazing 1,000 pounds. of mass. Carbon-fiber bodywork, light-weight created aluminum wheels, and a titanium exhaust system likewise added to the Supersports’ diet plan. “If you take a look at the carbon fiber on the side of the cars and truck, it is all purposeful; it is for downforce and to assist the wind clear and cool the automobile as it’s being driven,” described Bentley Americas President and CEO Mike Rocco.

A souped-up variation of the Continental GT’s twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 provides 657 hp and 590 lb.-ft. of torque without the help of an electrical motor and battery pack. The engine’s brand-new parts consist of larger-diameter single-scroll turbochargers and a dual-mass flywheel.

The engine’s charming, energetic exhaust note comes through an Akrapovič titanium active exhaust system, so when you’re at the race course and wish to hear it, you can show up the volume. And when you’re leaving home for the fitness center at 6 am on a Monday early morning, you can call down the volume and let your next-door neighbors sleep.

The V8 powers the rear wheels through a ZF-supplied 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that provides immediate, smooth equipment modifications, either instantly or through the guiding wheel-mounted shift paddles. Throughout laps around WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif.the automated programs for the transmission’s shifts was perfect, properly clicking down through the equipments under braking for the famous Corkscrew turn and after that back up once again, working down the hill back towards the track’s front straight.

The torque-vectoring, digitally limited-slip differential reduces the wheelspin and oversteer that the turbo V8, with its 590 lb.-ft. of torque, might produce speeding up out of the slower turns. Neither the differential nor the innovative electronic stability control system sterilize the power, so pushing the accelerator with a little too much authority triggers the Supersports’ back end to wriggle. It’s a great tip to be a little gentler on the next lap! When pointed directly, the Supersports speeds up to 60 miles per hour in 3.4 seconds.

The brakes offer the essential deceleration with 17.3-inch carbon-silicon-carbide rotors and favorably huge 10-piston calipers in advance. Rear brakes are a relatively paltry 16.1-inch rotors with prevalent 4-piston calipers.

These brakes offer substantial stopping power without the irritating screech typical with high-performance carbon brakes throughout lighter braking. Pedal feel is excellent, and the friction is progressive, with none of the aggressive bite of Ferrari brakes in casual driving or the mushy uncertainty of Lamborghini brakes at track speeds.

The different carbon fiber spoilers, diffusers, splitters, and dive aircrafts do their task, developing efficient downforce at speed, that makes braking more reliable at high speeds. Rather than relieving into the brakes as you may generally, the Supersports benefits heavy preliminary brake application that you taper as the automobile slows and it loses downforce.

Tires are 275/35 ZR22 front and 315/30 ZR22 rear Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RSs on 22-inch created aluminum wheels (it appears better suited to pronounce it al-yoo-MIN-ee-um for a Bentley, however then we ‘d likewise need to spell the rubber “tires”).

In spite of the diet plan, the Supersports is still a heavy automobile, weighing more than 4,400 pounds. This makes its active dealing with even more excellent. This dexterity comes thanks to an active suspension system that utilizes twin-valve air springs and a 48-volt active anti-roll control system that changes traditional passive steel anti-roll bars.

This lets the vehicle’s suspension adjust in genuine time to driving conditions, keeping it steady and confidence-inspiring on the track without being penalizing at lower speeds. It does an outstanding task camouflaging the Sportsports’ weight, however the laws of physics take their unavoidable toll on the tires and brakes, as they lose efficiency with time on the track.

Sadly, Bentley is developing just 500 Continental GT Supersports, all promoted. Possibly the success of the Supersports program will encourage Bentley management that extra minimalist rear-drive designs would be great additions to the business’s line of product. Could “less” suggest more Bentley designs?