03 Mar 09 15:08
It's the fastest Bentley ever: the 621bhp/590lb-ft Continental Supersports will sprint 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds and is capable of 204mph.
It's named for the 3-Litre Supersports of 1925, the first production Bentley to reach 100mph.
The two-seat Supersports is 110kg lighter than the already-sporting Continental GT Speed.
It's fitted with a new Quickshift six-speed auto gearbox said to halve gear-shift times, and has retuned steering and suspension. Bentley promises improved steering response and feedback, as well as better body control and the chance to 'throttle-steer'.
Its all-wheel-drive system is set with a 40:60 front:rear torque-split (other Continental GT variants have a 50:50 ratio), its stability control system and electronic damping control are specifically tweaked, and carbon-ceramic brake discs are standard. It sits on 20" alloys with a wider rear track, accommodated by extra-flared rear wheel arches.
The enhancements to the 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 engine include modifications to the airflow system, turbos and intercooler, hence larger air intakes and bonnet vents.
The automatic rear spoiler, which deploys at 50mph, has been reprofiled, and a new black-finish lower rear bumper fitted to accommodate the unique exhaust tailpipes. Further unique exterior details include a dark-smoked stainless steel trim finish.
It may be rather optimistic to claim this as an environmentally-friendly vehicle, but the Supersports can run on E85 biofuel (an 85% ethanol blend) as well as conventional petrol.
This is somewhat controversial, as many environmental campaigners claim that ethanol is increasingly produced from crops which have displaced food-source crops, leading to a distortion in world grain markets.
The interior is upholstered in Alcantara mock-suede and diamond-patterned leather, with lightweight sports-style bucket seats up front and the rear seats replaced by a luggage-stowage deck. Traditional wood trim has made way for more modern carbon fibre.
There are four exclusive paint colours to choose from - pearlescent Ice and Quartzite, matt-finish light grey and dark grey 'Satin' - plus the 17 colours already offered for the Continental GT.
Sales start in autumn 2009.
Check out the rest of our Geneva Motor Show coverage.
