The word Supersports is a modern amalgamation of one of the most evocative names from Bentley history – “Super Sports” – first applied to a Bentley a century ago. The first Super Sports was launched in 1925 and was based on the 3 Litre with an uprated engine and shorter (and lighter) chassis. It was the first Bentley capable of exceeding 100 mph (160 km/h) and it also established the second aspect that defines “Super Sports” – rarity, with only 18 examples built.
Dormant for decades, the Supersports name – now one word – roared back to life in 2009 with the pinnacle model of the first-generation Continental GT. As the first two-seat variant of the Continental family, it was 100 kg lighter than the standard car, capable of a top speed of 328 km/h, and the most driver-focused Bentley of the day.
It was eclipsed in 2017 by an even faster successor, based on the second-generation Continental GT, also powered by a 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12, but now delivering 522 kW – making it then the most powerful Bentley ever. 710 examples were produced, to match the power output.
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © BENTLEY
