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2009 Bentley Continental Supersports Review

March 2009
Filed under: BENTLEY Car News | BENTLEY Headlines

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The Continental Supersports is the fastest, most powerful Bentley ever with 630PS (621 bhp) 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds) and a 204 mph (329 km/h) top speed. The Supersports reaffirms Bentley's environmental commitment with the launch of its first FlexFuel performance car.

The Supersports combines the looks of the iconic GT with a distinctive style that reflects its supercar character.
The Supersports is the extreme Bentley delivering a highly focused driving experience '“ a muscular two-seater that is 110 kg lighter than the Continental GT Speed.

The Continental Supersports is the fastest and most powerful Bentley ever. It is the extreme Bentley, a muscular two-seater that delivers supercar performance and a highly focused driving experience.

The Supersports is also the first Bentley capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and biofuel, pioneering the use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector. This represents stage one of the company's commitment to make its complete model range compatible with renewable fuels by 2012.

Available worldwide from autumn 2009, the Continental Supersports will be FlexFuel compatible in the majority of markets from launch with North American cars offering the capability by summer 2010, following regulatory approval.

The Continental Supersports began as an 'Ëœunder the radar' project exploring the possibilities of weight reduction on the Continental GT but with more power and torque. A largely experimental process crystallised over a period of 24 months into an official new car programme, driven by the passion and enthusiasm of a small group of Bentley engineers and designers.

The results are dramatic. With 630PS (621 bhp) and new 'ËœQuickshift' transmission that halves shift times, the Supersports sets new performance benchmarks for Bentley. It accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds) onto a top speed of 204 mph (329 km/h).

Supercar performance is complemented by an array of chassis enhancements including retuned steering and suspension, utilising lighter weight components, retuned dampers and anti-roll bars.

Agility is further sharpened by the 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system, a wider rear track, bespoke lightweight 20-inch alloy wheels and a unique electronic stability programme.

Carbon ceramic brakes are standard fitment, benefiting steering response, grip and ride comfort, while saving weight. Overall, the engineering team have achieved a weight reduction of 110 kg (243 lb) compared with the Continental GT Speed.

The evolution of the Supersports' design is very much a case of 'Ëœform following function' with new purposeful sculptural forms signalling the engineering changes beneath the skin.

For example, the increased power and torque of the W12 engine necessitated additional airflow to the twin turbocharger intercoolers and cooling system. Bentley's designers responded with a purposeful and dramatic style that features large vertical intake apertures and twin bonnet vents.

Similarly, new flared rear wings that accommodate the 50 mm (2 inches) wider rear track are designed to emphasise the powerful stance of this ultra-high performance coupe. The resultant Supersports style combines the looks of the iconic Continental GT with a new and distinctive appearance that reflects its more extreme character.

The Supersports is further distinguished from its Continental coupe stable mates by a unique dark-smoked steel finish to all exterior 'Ëœbrightware', including front grilles, lamp bezels, window surrounds and wheels. A complex 'ËœPhysical Vapour Deposition' process is applied to all stainless steel components to give a lustrous and highly durable finish. A car industry first, this process is normally used as a coating on industrial tools, watches and even hip replacement joints.

Fully embracing the extreme spirit of the Supersports, Bentley's interior designers have created a unique ambience. The cockpit represents a dramatic re-interpretation of Bentley interior design in which carbon fibre and AlcantaraTM not only convey a sporting and contemporary style but also reduce weight.

The Supersports is a strict two-seater featuring all-new lightweight sports seats with carbon fibre clamshell rear panels. In the rear compartment, the seats are replaced by a stowage deck with a carbon fibre luggage retaining beam.

The new interior also provides a showcase for the skills of Bentley's craftsmen and women at the company's factory in Crewe, England. Signature premium grade leather and brightware are complemented by carbon fibre panels, replacing traditional wood veneers.

The Continental Supersports is capable of running on either petrol and E85 biofuel or any combination of the two. E85 biofuel can offer a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a 'Ëœwell-to-wheel' basis.

Well-to-wheel is a measurement of a fuel's net CO2 contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions. It is a way of quantifying how much CO2 a fuel emits from its growth or extraction (well) to its combustion or deployment (wheel). It includes refinement, distillation and transport of the fuel.

The fuel supply system detects the blending ratio of the fuel in the tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel. The result is seamless power delivery in the Bentley tradition.

The 'ËœSupersports' name is inspired by the original two-seater 3-litre Supersports model introduced in 1925, itself an evolution of the 3-litre Speed. The lightweight, 85 bhp Supersports was the first production Bentley to reach 100 mph and was also renowned for the application of Le Mans-winning race technology.

Commenting on the new Supersports model, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley's Chairman and Chief Executive said:

"The Continental Supersports reflects the passion and enthusiasm of Bentley's engineers and designers. This is the fastest, most extreme Bentley ever, dramatically styled to underline its supercar character. Importantly, it also pioneers the use of FlexFuel technology in the luxury sector."

ENGINE
Capacity (cc) 5998
Cylinders W12
Aspiration Twin-turbocharged
Installation Front, longitudinal
Construction Alloy heads and block
Bore/Stroke 84.0/90.2 mm
Compression Ratio 9.0 : 1
Fuel E85 & 98 (95) RON
Valve gear Chain-driven DOHC per bank, 4 valves per cylinder, cam phased inlet and outlet
Maximum Power 630PS/621 bhp/463 kW @ 6000 rev/min
Maximum Torque 800 Nm/590 lb ft @ 1700 to 5600 rev/min

TRANSMISSION
Type Continuous all-wheel drive with 40/60 rear bias torque split
Gearbox ZF 6-speed 'ËœQuickshift' automatic
Ratios 1st: 4.172
2nd: 2.340
3rd: 1.521
4th: 1.143
5th: 0.867
6th: 0.691
Final Drive: 3.524:1 front 3.528:1 rear

PERFORMANCE
Maximum Speed 204 mph (329 km/h)
0-60 mph 3.7 seconds
0-100 mph 8.9 seconds
30-50 mph 1.6 seconds
50-70 mph 2.1 seconds

0-100 km/h 3.9 seconds
0-160 km/h 8.9 seconds
50-80 km/h 1.6 seconds
80-120 km/h 2.6 seconds

SUSPENSION
Front Four-link double wishbones, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, anti-roll bar
Rear Trapezoidal multi-link, computer-controlled self-levelling air suspension, anti-roll bar
Dampers Continuous damping control with four adjustable settings

STEERING
Type Rack & pinion, power-assisted, speed-sensitive
Turns lock to lock 2.6
Turning circle 11.4 metres kerb-to-kerb

BRAKES
Front 420 mm diameter carbon/ceramic cross-drilled
Rear 356 mm diameter carbon/ceramic cross-drilled
Anti lock Standard with Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) and Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)

BODY & CHASSIS
Construction Steel monocoque, 2-door coupe
Length 4804 mm (189.1 inches)
Width across mirrors 2194 mm (86.4 inches)
Width mirrors folded 1945 mm (76.6 inches)
Kerb weight 2240 kg (4,939 lbs)
Height 1380 mm (54.3 inches)
Wheelbase 2745 mm (108.07 inches)
Front track 1623 mm (63.9 inches)
Rear track 1657 mm (65.2 inches)
Wheels 20" x 9.5J 10-spoke '“ Black Chrome or Painted
Tyres 275/35x20 Pirelli P-Zero UHP; electronic tyre pressure monitoring system
Boot (trunk) volume 370 litres (13.1 cu.ft)
Fuel tank capacity 90 litres (19.8 gallons/23.8 US gallons)

FUEL CONSUMPTION / EMISSIONS
Fuel consumption - 98 (95) RON
Urban: 11.5 mpg (24.5 litres/100km)*
Extra Urban: 24.4 mpg (11.6 litres/100km)*
Combined: 17.3 mpg (16.3 litres/100km)*
EPA Drive Cycle City Driving: 13 mpg (US)*
Highway Driving: 23.8 mpg (US)*
Carbon dioxide emissions 388g/km*
Emission controls EU IV and US Lev 11
All figures are subject to final certification

KEY EXTERIOR FEATURES Two new exterior colours: Ice and Quartzite
Two exterior Matt colours: Dark Grey Satin and Light Grey Satin. Available as cost option
New front bumper with larger air intake grilles
Dual bonnet vents
Restyled rear wings to accommodate 50mm wider rear track
Unique, elliptical, rifled tailpipe trims
Restyled rear bumper with black finish to rear valance
Unique dark smoked steel finish to 'Ëœbrightware'
Complex 'ËœPhysical Vapour Deposition' process applied to stainless steel components for lustrous and durable finish
Re-profiled automatic rear spoiler

KEY INTERIOR FEATURES Two-seater with configuration
New lightweight front seats featuring diamond quilted Alcantaraâ„¢ and embroidered Bentley emblems. Manual controls
Carbon fibre finish to fascia and centre console (in lieu of veneer)
Diamond quilted Alcantaraâ„¢ to door inserts
'ËœSupersports' carbon fibre treadplates to both front doors
Single tone interior with primary and secondary hides in Beluga (Black). Choice of contrast stitching and piping in seven colours including: Newmarket Tan, Hotspur, Saffron, Linen, Portland, Porpoise or Beluga
Duo tone interior with the choice of Newmarket Tan/Beluga, Porpoise/Beluga or Hotspur/Beluga
3-spoke multi-function steering wheel and gear lever trimmed with 'ËœSoft Touch' leather for extra grip
Single centre armrest with increased stowage
Rear compartment with carbon fibre crossbeam
Drilled alloy sports pedals
Naim for Bentley Premium Audio System with 15 custom-built speakers '“ cost option

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