Thursday 16th June 2011

Driven: Bentley Continental Supersports

The car no neo-Georgian Manchester mega-mansion should be without?

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A Bentley Continental is sophisticated, comfortable, and may very well be the result of some of the worlds most polished automotive engineers doing some of their best work. That they're occasionally sold to semi-educated, overpaid footballers with large, irretrievably vulgar houses just south of Manchester isn't a crime, but the Bentley marque does seem to have suffered more from the association than others.

Brian Gush - top engineering type

However, when the key for the 621bhp Supersports version was dropped into our hands by Brian Gush (Bentley's Director for Chassis, Powertrain, and Motorsport) who beamed as he instructed us to 'thrash it', we couldn't have cared less what anyone else thought of us as we drove it. But first we asked him how the Supersports came to be.

"It was an idea that gradually gathered pace as opposed to being the plan from the outset" he confessed. "The Powertrain guys had been on the dyno finding out what they could get out of the engine while the engineering department was looking into a weight-saving exercise. The transmission people at the same time had been working on a quick-shift gearbox with different valves and torque converter characteristics and a system which smoothed-out gear changes by cutting the fuelling in between shifts. Each of these departments had built a car, and we looked at each of them and decided to pull everything together and increase the track-width and move to a 40/60 split with the four-wheel-drive system to improve the handling."

Add to this mix the biggest carbon-ceramic brake discs ever fitted to any production car (which remove 20kg of un-sprung weight from the front axle and will, Bentley claim, last the life of the car) and you get a two-and-a-quarter-ton luxury vehicle which can hit 100mph from standstill in under nine seconds, and which has handling and braking to match. This is largely down to the Supersports' most impressive statistic, which is that it develops 590lb ft of torque from - get this - just 1700rpm. This means that, theoretically at least, before your foot reaches the floor you'll be accelerating a rate which will simply embarrass about 98 per cent of the world's production cars.

With Brian's advice still ringing in our ears as we peeled off a low-speed roundabout and onto a long, open piece of A-road we pinned the throttle. Few cars - even lightweight ones - can propel you down the road like this thing; the shattering amount of torque on tap seems utterly contemptuous of the car's weight and it feels like it could still do 0-100 in less than nine seconds whilst towing a caravan.

With just a short time to get to know the Bentley we departed the Crewe factory and headed west across country to see how it handled the fast and bumpy south Cheshire B-roads. Before too long we found a section which was ideal for assessing how well the Supersports accelerated, braked, and handled weight transfer (which with two and a quarter tons to balance was a key issue.) Although of course we'd already learned plenty about the acceleration side of things by then...

Leaning hard on the brakes before we entered a challenging left-right-left series of bends there was just the tiniest delay (presumably as the huge carbon-ceramic discs found their ideal operating temperature) before the car scrubbed off the excess speed. Threading it through the first few times was an education, with the car seemingly happy to go through much, much faster than we were initially prepared to push it. After a few runs we reached the point where it was just starting to slide as the weight transferred from right to left on the way in, but all the time there wasn't the slightest hint of any trouble. This is a full-size luxury car which can change direction in a manner reminiscent of a Japanese four-wheel-drive turbo car. Simple as that.

Behind the wheel the Supersports exudes a feeling of invincibility that other cars of a similar performance just don't. The drive back to the factory was a brisk and as effortless as the day's driving had been up to that point. It's not perfect of course; the steering could do with more feel (which is something we find ourselves saying quite often) and the interior shows that perhaps there can be too much carbon fibre in a car's cabin - although for a price they'll trim it how you like it.

But make no mistake; this is an epic driver's car. And if you've only got to pull on your boots a couple of times a week to earn the £163k asking price - well, why the hell wouldn't you?

[ikky85]

Aston Martin all day.

[ikky85]

DayTrader said:

ikky85 said:

Aston Martin all day.

I'm the opposite. I would have this over a DBS without a doubt. The craftsmanship looks exquisite!

Aston's craftsmanship isn't that far off Bentley's. You dont really tend to see many DBS about and that noise from that V12

[ikky85]

xto said:

In London, i think the DBS is more common than the supersports or even the speed.

I bought a speed CGT recently over a DBS and a Supersports GTC as i found the SS too "focused" which is a word i didnt think i would use with a Bentley.

The speed does 9 things out of 10 the SS does, which i thought was enough for what the car is trying to be, a conformtable sports car.

Hope i find myself in such a predicament Bentley or Aston lol

Well up "NORF" I kid you not for every 5 Bentley's i've seen there's 1 aston. Maybe thats because the factory's in Crewe dont know lol Both pretty special cars though

[ikky85]

I think the connection with the Bentley and vulgarity stems from Jezza Clarkson's opinions. Hes constantly slating footballers (rightly or wrongly) and extraordinary looking people who spend lots of money to look so cheap. Even the Range Rover hasn't escaped the Range Rooney as he calls it

Alot of these "tuning" houses dont help either look at the all carbon fibre DB9 from Mansory a bit OTT.

[ikky85]

Zod said:

ikky85 said:

Even the Range Rover hasn't escaped the Range Rooney as he calls it

Isn't that the RRS?

Don't know. The only one i like is the Q7 the rest are toss. They're fun to drive but really dont understand the point of tuning them to preform like a sports car

[ikky85]

johnpeat said:

ikky85 said:

Don't know. The only one i like is the Q7 the rest are toss. They're fun to drive but really dont understand the point of tuning them to preform like a sports car

I've always assumed that 'sporty' 4x4s were pointless - but then someone loaned me their Cayenne S and whilst it was an ugly as ugly can be, my god did it drive.

It didn't just drive "well for an offroader", it drove "well full stop". I'd used an X5 before that and an RRS not long after and both were clearly decent cars but this was something else entirely - it was, from my limited experience at least, not a kick-in-the-arse off a 911 in driving terms (my driving - anyway!)...

Apart from the fact that the owner lives along an unmade road which the 911 would never make it through - and it replaced a 911 and he said that basically, it was every bit as quick and fun to drive BUT would make it to his house!!

Not tried the latest version of the RRS - but that video of the diesel whooping around the 'Ring is pretty impressive...

i know what you mean. I had 6 guys in the Q7 and the ease in which it pulled to 140 mph and still pulling was amazing and that was just the 3 ltr s line model can only imagine what the ultra rare v10 version is like. thats the thing just great in a straight line. would rather have a standard model instead of a high performance one like RSS

[ikky85]

Wills2 said:

ikky85 said:

i know what you mean. I had 6 guys in the Q7 and the ease in which it pulled to 140 mph and still pulling was amazing and that was just the 3 ltr s line model

Be honest, it didn't did it..

Seriously ! i was very impressed. I was headed towards Bradford just before you get to the highest point of the motorway.

I looking at getting one. but in two minds because it will be day to day run about and business use. But tempted by the A7 but thats got a funny back end. dont know lol

[ikky85]

Zod said:

ikky85 said:

i know what you mean. I had 6 guys in the Q7 and the ease in which it pulled to 140 mph and still pulling was amazing and that was just the 3 ltr s line model can only imagine what the ultra rare v10 version is like. thats the thing just great in a straight line. would rather have a standard model instead of a high performance one like RSS

I don't like the Q7 (it's the looks), but the X5 I bought having previously vowed never to buy an SUV is silly fast. It's not even the M version (that should not exist), but it does 0/60 in 5.5 seconds.

Yeah i know a chap who had the 4.4 ltr is it? They are pretty fun to drive.

[ikky85]

Ryvita said:

Stereotyping is a terrible thing, and no product should be held responsible for its perceived clientele. (Incidentally, what the hell happened to turn the stereotype of BMW drivers into Audi drivers? Did I miss a memo somewhere?)

That said.

Couple of months back, I was passing the local hospital and almost vomitted when I saw a white Continental with lipstick red racing stripes and red alloys, number plate "G1PSY". It was parked outside the GUM clinic...

LOL your just Jel because your not Reem

[ikky85]

alock said:

ikky85 said:

Wills2 said:

ikky85 said:

i know what you mean. I had 6 guys in the Q7 and the ease in which it pulled to 140 mph and still pulling was amazing and that was just the 3 ltr s line model

Be honest, it didn't did it..

Seriously ! i was very impressed. I was headed towards Bradford just before you get to the highest point of the motorway.

I looking at getting one. but in two minds because it will be day to day run about and business use. But tempted by the A7 but thats got a funny back end. dont know lol

That's impressive with a quoted top speed of 135mph

I was never that keen on them after i drove my mates. Quoted speed can be +/- and it only had about 10k on the clock. you have to see it to believe it. i was impressed anyway so im considering getting one

[ikky85]

mrobin33 said:

I was torn between this and a DBS. I am not a footballer.

I drove the DBS for a long weekend and the handling never felt quite right - something odd with the rear damping on fast twisty A roads, and it was less great as a GT - general driveability, rear space and boot etc, and I thought some of the interior was overdone compared to the Bentley - yep, things like the silly glass key, and being greeted with the vision statement every time you turn it on.

I separately did a weekend with the GT Speed, and then did a track day with the SS (thanks Bentley). I ended up with the GT Speed - slightly less brash but the same incredible urge that is totally, and safely accessible whenever you want it; but amazing comfort and ambience when you just want to cover a few hundred miles in style.

Err, one admission is that the SS seats are not height adjustable, and the wife is 5'2". That swayed the discussion a little....

BTW I live in the States and there is none of that inverted snobbery here about who drives what cars. The only people that really care about image of what they drive tie themselves in knots and end up with Lexi which says it all really.

I'd forgive the DBS just for the sound of the V12 alone.

How well do Bentley's depreciate in the states ?

[ikky85]

JoshyS said:

Rochester TVR said:

Positive it was a Supersports, it was the new bumper and bonnet vents that made me look twice. 11 Reg aswell.... I'll see if I can find the colour on Bentleys site.

When I say "How Bentleys should be" by that I mean that the Brooklands / Arnage are how I have always viewed what a Bentley is to me, their sheer oppulance and presence is unique. The Continental shape Bentleys get nowhere close to the class that the others have, maybe its the association they have with cheaper cars (VW Phaeton/Continental, BMW 7 Series / Mulsanne). The Brooklands etc are the modern day Bentleys that show true pedigry to the marque, and to me are an indication of the design direction Bentley would continue on if the Germans wern't holding the purse strings. However, I go agree that the Brooklands et'al could do with updated technology...

Saying all that though, as much as Im not a fan of the Continental/Flying Spur where would the company be now without them??? So in the same way that Porsche make some cars that should only be sold to the blind as long as that means them models provide the finances to enable them create cars like the GT2RS then Im all for it! As with Bentley... I just hope models like the Brooklands are continued for many years to come and not dropped just to please the accountants.

I understand that marques evolve and time moves on, but the old money Bentleys should always have a place in the dealership.
Somehow I fear that in a few years time the likes of the Brooklands will never be seen again, and that Twin Turbo 6.75 litre V8 will be resided to the history books.... in favor for a Efficiant Dynamics 3.0D from a BMW 535d.

First and foremost the link you talk of with BMW doesn't exist. That's Rolls Royce you're thinking of there

I don't think that the 6.75l lump is going to go anywhere. They had the prefect change to get rid of it with the Mulsanne and they kept it. Again. They seem to be very keen on hanging onto it at Crewe. Personally I don't see what the fuss is about and think they should completely bin the idea and start again. Keep the two blowers, 8 cylinders and 6.75L but kept nothing else. The days of push rods are over .

I've always maintained that a diesel Bentley isn't quite as horrible idea and people first think. Low revs, High torque. A properly, properly engineered, refined diesel lump without the clattering, banging and shaking usually associated with diesel lumps would be perfectly at home in a 'old money' Bentley. Low revs and high torque is what the current V8 is ALL about. Diesel lumps can out rev it for Christ sake .

Now I'm going to say something a bit controversial here and say that would you get past looks, image and all that, the GT is a better car than a Brooklands all day. Better ride, far more technology, it generally is a better car to use day to day. The good thing about the mulsanne is because it gives the 'old money' Bentley image a bit more of a fighting chance in the real world.

I think the Mulsane is very unattractive. It looks buggy eyed and needy. The RR Phantom grew on me and i love the Ghost. The GT and and SS are a new kettle of fish and thats great