In order to be lighter, Bentley Continental GT Supersports refuses electrification

【PCauto】Electrification is an irreversible trend across the global automotive industry, a shift that includes the luxury sports car segment. Models like the Rolls-Royce Spectre, Porsche Taycan, and Audi e-tron GT have all introduced pure electric or hybrid versions.

However, the Bentley Continental GT Supersports bucks this trend, remaining dedicated to pure internal combustion, powered by a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine.

A small, dedicated engineering team at Bentley spearheaded the development of the Supersports. They posed a provocative question: What would be the dynamic character of a rear-wheel-drive Continental GT weighing less than two tons?

Lightweight Engineering of Supersports

Lightweight design is a cornerstone of the engineering optimizations applied to the Continental GT Supersports.

The body undergoes weight reduction optimization first

To reduce the overall weight of the vehicle, Bentley made several improvements to the body structure and materials. Carbon fiber materials were used for the roof and rear cabin structure, which not only reduced weight but also maintained the rigidity of the body.

Compared to the previous generation model, the Supersports also removed the rear seats and optimized the insulation layers and sound system brackets at the back. These incremental changes collectively shed tens of kilograms.

Thus, the overall weight is held below 2,000 kilograms, securing the Supersports' place as one of the lightest Continental GT models in Bentley's history.

The power system and transmission system of the Supersports have also been optimized

The engine block is constructed from aluminum alloy, while rotating components such as the crankshaft and connecting rods have been lightweighted to reduce rotational inertia and sharpen throttle response.

By adopting a rear-wheel-drive layout—a departure from its predecessor—the Supersports eliminates the additional components of a full-time all-wheel-drive system. This change reduces weight, simplifies the chassis structure, and yields more direct handling in high-speed corners.

The use of an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission further reduces the transmission load and increases shifting speed, providing smoother power output delivery.

These lightweight optimizations bring noticeable performance improvements

The Supersports exhibits a marginal improvement in acceleration compared to the previous four-wheel-drive version. More importantly, the reduced mass improves inertia and steering response, enhancing stability and controllability in high-speed corners.

Supersports Power and Chassis Design

At the heart of the Continental GT Supersports lies a 4.0-liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine, with a maximum output of approximately 657 hp and a peak torque of about 800 Nm.

This powertrain, combined with an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission, enables a 0–100 km/h acceleration in about 3.7 seconds and achieves a top speed of nearly 310 km/h.

Compared to the previous all-wheel-drive version, the rear-wheel-drive layout reduces weight and fundamentally alters the power delivery. This transforms the acceleration experience, offering a sharper, more engaging feel characteristic of a traditional sports car.

Supersports Chassis Optimization

The Supersports' chassis tuning retains several high-performance technologies adopted by Bentley in recent years for GT sports cars, while optimizing for the rear-drive characteristics.

For enhanced traction and stability during acceleration and cornering, an electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD) at the rear axle precisely manages power distribution and tire slippage.

Additionally, a rear-wheel steering system is fitted to sharpen low-speed agility and bolster high-speed stability, ensuring the rear-drive chassis delivers precise feedback even in high-speed curves.

The suspension system has also been specially tuned

The Supersports utilizes dual-chamber air suspension, which, combined with a 48V active anti-roll bar, instantly adjusts the anti-roll stiffness according to the road conditions and body posture, controlling body roll while maintaining a certain level of comfort in corners.

The braking system employs 440 mm carbon-ceramic discs at the front, clamped by 10-piston calipers, and 410 mm discs at the rear with 4-piston calipers. This high-performance setup ensures stable braking performance even during high-speed driving and repeated hard use.

Completing the chassis setup, the Supersports rides on 22-inch forged wheels paired with high-performance tires. This combination is engineered as the final critical link between handling and performance, capable of withstanding the loads from braking and power output while providing the suspension with optimal grip and precise feedback.

Combined with the lightweight body, this series of power and chassis designs ensure the vehicle maintains balance during high-speed straight-line acceleration, cornering control, and everyday driving.

Carbon Fiber and Aerodynamic Design

In the Continental GT Supersports, the application of carbon fiber is not only a means of lightweight construction but is also closely related to the overall vehicle's aerodynamic design.

The roof and rear compartment chassis use carbon fiber materials

This reduces weight while simultaneously lowering the vehicle's center of gravity, benefiting cornering with greater stability and a more immediate handling response.

In addition, key components such as the front and rear bumpers, side skirts, and rear diffuser are made of carbon fiber or composite materials, which not only enhance structural strength but also optimize airflow paths,  thereby reducing aerodynamic drag while generating increased downforce.

The aerodynamic kit plays an important role at high speeds

The design of the front splitter and downforce winglets works to direct airflow, reducing lift and increasing downforce over the front axle for sharper steering response and improved precision.

The fixed rear wing works together with the rear diffuser to provide additional downforce for high-speed driving.

According to official Bentley data, this design increases the downforce of the Supersports by approximately 300 kg compared to the Continental GT Speed.

Combined with the lightweight body, these aerodynamic enhancements boost high-speed stability during both straight-line driving and cornering, without sacrificing controllability.

Moreover, the overall aerodynamic design not only meets performance requirements but also takes into account the vehicle's proportions and styling, preserving the iconic streamlined appearance of the Continental GT series.

The development process of the Supersports was not without challenges

In order to achieve the lightweight and high-performance characteristics of the Continental GT Supersports, Bentley's engineering team conducted repeated tests on various materials and structural solutions.

Although early design proposals explored a battery-assisted system in the rear seat area for a performance boost, this idea was ultimately abandoned due to the detrimental weight and complex packaging compromises. The team decided to retain a traditional, focused fuel-powered layout.

The name "Supersports" itself reflects Bentley's internal positioning for the model. In discussions, engineers sought a name that emphasized "extreme performance" and "track potential," leading to the choice of Continental GT Supersports over simpler alternatives like Speed or Performance.