2026 Bentley Supersports Continental GT Coupe

Nov. 17th, 2025

A century after the debut of the first Bentley “Super Sports,” the iconic name returns for only the fourth time in the marque’s history. The new Bentley Supersports represents the most focused and dynamic interpretation of the Continental GT to date, engineered for drivers who desire pure engagement above all else. For the first time, the model adopts rear-wheel drive, a strict two-seat layout, and a curb weight under two tonnes—an unprecedented formula in the modern Bentley era. Power comes from a non-hybrid, twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine producing 666 PS (657 bhp) and 800 Nm of torque. This formidable output is delivered exclusively to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Complementing the powertrain are carbon-ceramic brakes, 22-inch lightweight forged wheels developed in collaboration with Manthey Racing, and a full-length titanium exhaust from Akrapovic, with Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres available for those pursuing maximum track performance.

 

The exterior design has been intentionally crafted to maximize aerodynamic efficiency and reduce weight. It is the most purposeful interpretation of the Continental GT silhouette ever produced. A new front bumper incorporates Bentley’s largest road-car splitter, channeling airflow to both the engine and front brakes. Carbon-fibre dive planes, extended side sills, fender blades, a rear diffuser, and a fixed rear wing work together to deliver more than 300 kg of additional downforce compared with the Continental GT Speed. Weight savings continue across the body, including a new carbon-fibre roof panel that lowers the car’s centre of gravity while maintaining structural rigidity.

 

Inside, the cabin underscores the Supersports’ single-minded mission. The rear seats have been removed and replaced with a beautifully sculpted carbon-fibre and leather enclosure, while newly developed sports seats—mounted lower for improved connection between driver and chassis—dominate the interior. Customers may select monotone, duo-tone, or tri-tone themes, with finishes that combine leather, Dinamica, and carbon fibre to create a cockpit defined by performance and precision.

 

Bentley’s Chairman and CEO, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, describes the new Supersports as “more than just the most driver-focused Bentley yet.” For Walliser, it marks a renewed commitment to engineering bold, emotionally charged cars that balance exceptional capability with bespoke craftsmanship. “Bentley has always thrived when revealing a more daring side,” he notes, highlighting that this is the first project developed entirely under his leadership and a statement of intent for the brand’s next chapter.

Project Mildred

 

The Supersports’ origins trace back to September 2024, when a small engineering team proposed an experiment: a rear-wheel-drive, sub-two-tonne Continental GT. After receiving approval to construct a single test mule, the prototype reached the track just six weeks later. Its performance was so compelling that the full project was green-lit under the codename “Mildred.” The name pays tribute to Mildred Mary Petre, a pioneering racing driver, powerboat racer, and pilot who, in 1929, drove a Bentley 4½ Litre solo for 24 hours at Montlhéry, averaging nearly 90 mph. Her fearless spirit became the symbolic backbone of the program.

A Century of Supersports

The Supersports lineage began in 1925 with the original 3-Litre “Super Sports,” the first Bentley capable of exceeding 100 mph, and produced in just 18 examples. The name resurfaced in 2009 with a radical, lightweight, 204-mph version of the first-generation Continental GT, and again in 2017 with its even more extreme successor, powered by a 710-PS W12.

The new Supersports follows this tradition of pinnacle performance but shifts its focus. Instead of chasing top speed, this generation pursues the highest level of driver engagement ever achieved in a Bentley, fusing extensive weight reduction with a fresh, purpose-built powertrain. It is a modern homage to a century of performance innovation—reimagined for drivers who demand the extraordinary.

Related Posts