Bentley Continental GT Supersports Returns as the Most Driver Focused and Lightest Bentley in 85 Years
The legendary Supersports name has returned to the Bentley lineup exactly one century after its debut. The original 1925 Bentley Super Sports became the first car of the brand to surpass 100 miles per hour. Today the spirit of that breakthrough has been reimagined in the new Bentley Continental GT Supersports, which becomes the most dynamic and lightweight version ever built. Bentley confirms that customer orders will open in March 2026, with production limited to only 500 units. This level of exclusivity already positions the model as a future collectible among enthusiasts in the UAE and worldwide.
Radical Weight Reduction and a New Approach to Performance
The most striking achievement of the new Continental GT Supersports is its extremely low weight by Bentley standards. The coupe weighs only 1814.37 kilograms, making it almost half a ton lighter than the standard Continental GT. This is the lightest road going Bentley model in the last 85 years. It was achieved through a dramatic reengineering of the structure and interior.
The entire rear half of the cabin has been removed and replaced with a carbon fiber tub. Sound insulation has been significantly reduced, which not only lowers weight but also brings more mechanical feedback into the cabin. The roof panel is now made from high grade carbon composite. The front seats are lightweight performance units with extensive side bolstering and eleven way adjustment. The overall feel of the Supersports is intentionally focused on driver engagement rather than luxury oriented comfort typical of the brand.
Powertrain Without Hybridization and With New Levels of Character
In a time when many luxury manufacturers are shifting toward electrified drivetrains, Bentley has taken a deliberately purist approach. The new Continental GT Supersports is powered by a four litre twin turbocharged V8 that produces 666 horsepower and 800 newton meters. This engine has not been used on a Bentley model before but it is closely related to the high performance V8 of the Lamborghini Urus Performante.
The power unit is paired with an updated eight speed dual clutch automatic transmission that provides extremely rapid gear changes. For the first time in the history of the Continental GT, the Supersports uses a rear wheel drive layout. Torque is further optimised through an electronically controlled differential designed to maintain traction in aggressive cornering.
With this configuration the expected acceleration from zero to one hundred kilometres per hour is 3.7 seconds and the projected maximum speed reaches 310 kilometres per hour. The soundtrack is also improved thanks to a new Akrapovic exhaust system developed specifically for this model.
Chassis Engineering Designed for Maximum Driver Control
The chassis of the Continental GT Supersports includes several advanced systems that elevate handling precision to a new level. Rear wheel steering improves stability at high speed and agility at low speed. Active anti roll technology compensates for body movements and enhances the capability of the suspension.
New shock absorbers have been installed and are tuned specifically for track inspired behaviour. The braking system is described by Bentley as the most powerful ever used on a road going car. The front axle is equipped with carbon silicon carbide discs that measure 440 millimetres paired with ten piston calipers. The rear axle receives 410 millimetre discs with four piston calipers. Such specifications underline the performance ambitions of this limited production coupe.
Manthey Racing has developed a set of lightweight twenty two inch wheels designed exclusively for the Supersports. According to preliminary testing, the car is capable of maintaining lateral forces up to 1.3G. This places the Bentley close to dedicated track performance cars while still providing the refinement expected from the brand.
Aerodynamics Inspired by Motorsport
Visually the Supersports stands apart from the rest of the Continental GT family. Bentley has installed an extensive aerodynamic package that significantly increases downforce. The total improvement exceeds three hundred kilograms when compared to the standard Continental GT Speed. The front splitter is described as the largest ever installed on a street legal Bentley. Aerodynamic side elements, a reworked rear diffuser and several motorsport style details complete the new silhouette.
Despite the more aggressive appearance the overall design remains unmistakably Bentley. The long bonnet, muscular haunches and signature matrix grille continue to define the presence of the Continental GT family, but now with a sharper, more purposeful tone that reflects the engineering beneath the surface.
Rarity and Production Plans
Bentley has produced the Continental GT Supersports only twice in the past: once in 2009 and again in 2017. The new model becomes the fourth Supersports in the brand’s long history. Production will begin in the fourth quarter of next year and only 500 cars will be manufactured. This limited volume combined with the new technical direction ensures that the 2026 Supersports will be one of the most sought after Bentleys ever released.
The Future of Bentley and the Role of Supersports
Earlier this November Bentley confirmed the beginning of pre series manufacturing of its first electric SUV. However the company has publicly stated that it does not plan a full transition to electric propulsion within the next decade. The new Continental GT Supersports therefore becomes a symbolic model. It celebrates the heritage of pure mechanical performance while the brand simultaneously invests in its future electric strategy.
For customers in the UAE the Supersports represents a unique combination of exclusivity, engineering excellence and unmistakable British craftsmanship. It is a machine built for the passionate driver who values feedback, sound, precision and rarity.
