2027 Bentley Continental Supersports is a Lighter, Rear-Drive Monster

The first rear-drive Continental GT this century ditches the hybrid tech too, and in doing so tips the scales under two metric tons.

Bentley wants us all to know it isn't messing around. 100 years on from the first Super Sports model comes only the fourth in the lineage, the 2027 Continental Supersports. That original model, built on a shortened 3 Litre chassis, was notably the first Bentley to crest 100 mph (161 km/h). The latest model will do nearly double that.

Those with a penchant for stats will note that's a lower top speed than the previous two Continental Supersports were capable of. That's because Bentley is taking its most extreme trim in a, er, more extreme direction. Instead of simply being the fastest, most powerful Conti, the latest Supersports is trading ultimate power for driver engagement, pulling out the all-wheel drive and plug-in hybrid setup for a pure internal-combustion approach.

The 4.0-liter turbo V8 remains, complete with uprated cylinder heads, a stronger crank case, and larger turbos. The result is a suitably evil 666 PS, or 657 horsepower to you and I. Torque peaks at 590 pound-feet. It all routes through the eight-speed dual-clutch of before, though here Bentley has also implemented upgraded clutches and a unique shift strategy.

In addition to shaving off the AWD and PHEV bits, the Supersports nets a carbon fiber roof (instead of the standard aluminum) and an Akrapovič titanium exhaust. Not only do these bits further cut the curb weight—Bentley is targeting a sub two-tonne (4,409-pound) weigh-in—but happily focus on authenticity. In Bentley's own words, the exhaust has been tuned for a note that is "deep, powerful and completely authentic, with no artificial in-cabin enhancement." Hell yeah.

An aggressive new bodykit marks out the Supersports, with real aerodynamic benefits of over 661pounds of additional downforce over a Conti GT Speed. The weight balance shifts at speed: 54-percent of the weight is on the front axle while the Supersports is stationary, and that balance gradually shifts rearward the quicker the car goes. This is accomplished via the largest (carbon fiber) front splitter ever fitted to a production Bentley, stacked dive planes at the bumper corners, B-shaped aero blades aft of the front wheels, and a large, fixed rear spoiler. Don't forget the side sills and larger rear diffuser, also crafted out of carbon weave—same with the door mirrors and even the engine cover.

Rolling stock consists of lightweight, forged aluminum 22-inch wheels, with an additional 0.63 inches of rear track for good measure. These wheels were co-developed with the track pros at Manthey Racing. Bentley will offer two tires for the Supersports: a Pirelli P-Zero and a unique Trofeo RS setup. With the latter, the Supersports will be capable of up to 1.3g of lateral force—30-percent more than the Conti GT Speed.

Inside, the Supersports skips the rear seats, and everything relating to them: seatbelts, some sound deadening, and even the speakers. Carbon is everywhere, including much of the dashboard. New lightweight seats offer 11-way power adjustability, retain heating (though no ventilation) and are mounted lower than before.

Bentley will build just 500 examples of the 2027 Supersports. Each will be individually numbered, and there are enough permutations of trim and color options that conceivably no two would have to be finished the same—and that's before we even bring Mulliner into the picture. Bentley will offer 24 "performance-focused" exterior colors, as well as five "Design Themes" which include striping and logos in one or two contrasting hues. The cabin is available in 22 different primary leather colors, with 11 secondary and 9 accent options. The specific car you see in all these images is one of the Design Themes: Nightfall consists of an Anthracite gloss paint with Camel accents, the latter color of which makes its way into the cabin alongside Beluga, with bronze accents.