Tag Archives: Bentley

2027 Bentley Supersports: The Return of the Beast

A century after the very first Bentley “Super Sports” broke the 100-mph barrier, Bentley has resurrected its most fearsome badge — and delivered the most driver-focused Continental ever to wear it. The new 2027 Bentley Supersports is a rare moment of rebellion from Crewe: rear-wheel drive, two seats only, weighing under two tonnes, and powered by a roaring twin-turbo V-8 with no hybrid help whatsoever. This isn’t the genteel grand tourer you remember. This is Bentley gone feral.

The Most Focused Continental in History

At the heart of the new Supersports is a thoroughly reworked 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, now strengthened, boosted, and sharpened to deliver 666 PS (657 hp) and 800 Nm (590 lb-ft) exclusively to the rear wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Bentley claims a 0–62 mph time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of around 192 mph, but the raw numbers are almost beside the point. What matters is engagement.

To that end, Bentley hasn’t just shuffled components — it has rewritten the Continental GT’s genetic code. This is the first rear-drive Continental GT in history (race cars aside), assisted by a newly tuned eLSD, wider rear track, and torque vectoring by brake. ESC modes now include everything from fully supportive to fully unhinged, with a “Dynamic” map allowing controllable, Bentley-polished slip angles.

Rear-wheel steering remains to keep the massive coupe agile, and the chassis receives entirely new calibrations for steering, suspension, and power delivery. The result? Bentley says the Supersports can corner 30 percent quicker than a GT Speed when fitted with the optional Pirelli Trofeo RS rubber, generating up to 1.3 g of lateral force.

More Downforce Than Any Bentley Road Car

If the Continental GT Speed is a velvet fist, the new Supersports is the brass knuckle. Nearly every exterior change serves function first: a new front bumper with the largest splitter ever fitted to a Bentley, stacked carbon-fiber dive planes, new side sills, “B-shaped” fender blades, a full carbon diffuser, and a fixed rear wing.

Combined, these aero additions produce 300 kg more downforce than a GT Speed, while maintaining balanced lift and shifting weight rearward at higher speeds. Carbon fiber trims more weight from the roof, mirrors, and engine cover, while the entire rear cabin — seats, insulation, trim — has been removed and replaced with a carbon-fiber tub. The result: the lightest Bentley in 85 years, dipping below the 2000-kg mark.

Standard brakes are immense 440-mm carbon-ceramic front discs with 10-piston calipers — the largest production car brakes on the planet.

A Cabin Built for Driving, Not Cruising

Open the door and you’ll immediately realize this isn’t a Continental that happens to be sportier — it’s a sports car with Bentley fit and finish. Two heavily bolstered sports seats sit lower in the chassis, wrapped in leather and Dinamica, with carbon-fiber shells peeking around their shoulders.

The rear seating area is gone, replaced by a sculpted carbon-fiber structure trimmed in leather. Carbon fiber veneers are standard, though buyers can spec brushed or engine-turned aluminum. A numbered badge on the center console reminds you — and your passenger — that only 500 examples will exist.

Project Mildred: Bentley’s Secret Skunkworks

Internally, the Supersports began life as Project Mildred, named for Mildred Mary Petre — a record-setting racer and pilot who drove a 4½ Litre Bentley for 24 hours at Montlhéry in 1929. The project started quietly in late 2024 as a back-channel experiment to see what a lightweight, rear-drive Continental could feel like.

One track mule later, the results were convincing enough for Bentley’s new CEO, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, to green-light the full program. Walliser calls the Supersports “a return to Bentley making more extreme cars” — and given the timing, it becomes the first full vehicle developed under his leadership.

A Name With a Violent Pedigree

The Supersports lineage reads like Bentley’s greatest hits:

  • 1925 Super Sports: Short-wheelbase 3-Litre, the first Bentley to crack 100 mph; only 18 built.
  • 2009 Supersports: Return of the badge; 204 mph; first two-seat Continental.
  • 2017 Supersports: 710-hp W12 monster; then the most powerful Bentley ever.

The new model shifts focus from outright top speed to driver involvement — a philosophical reboot for Bentley performance.

Customization: From Nightfall to Daybreak

Mulliner will indulge the usual Bentley buyer fantasies:

  • 22 hide colors, 11 secondary hides, 9 accents
  • A unique tri-tone interior option
  • 24 standard paint colors plus bespoke Mulliner finishes
  • Exterior themes with striping, contrasting number graphics, and carbon-fiber accents

Launch cars come in two themes:

  • Nightfall, an Anthracite gloss with Camel striping and Beluga/Camel interior
  • Daybreak, Jetstream Matte with Arctica/Portofino accents and a Damson/Light Blue/Pillar Box Red cabin

Price and Availability

Bentley hasn’t announced pricing yet, but with only 500 units and a list of standard equipment that reads like a motorsport catalog — Akrapovič titanium exhaust, Manthey Racing forged 22s, carbon-ceramic brakes — expect a number well into the six-figure stratosphere. Order books open in March 2026, production starts in late 2026, and deliveries begin early 2027. Markets include the UK, Europe, U.S., Canada, Australia, the Gulf, and select Asian regions.

Source: Bentley

Bentley Hits the Brakes on Its EV-Only Future, but the Next Flying Spur Still Looks Electrifying

Like many automakers reassessing their electric dreams, Bentley is taking a step back from the fast lane of full electrification. The storied British marque has quietly eased off the throttle on its “all-EV by 2030” plan, now pushing that goalpost to 2035.

That’s not to say the Crewe-based brand is abandoning its vision of a silent, zero-emission future—just that it’s acknowledging reality. Market demand, regulatory limbo, and the expectations of Bentley’s well-heeled clientele have prompted a more measured approach. Between now and then, expect a mix of internal-combustion, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid offerings to carry the torch.

A Flying Spur for Every Powertrain

At the heart of Bentley’s recalibrated strategy sits the next-generation Flying Spur, which is shaping up to be one of the most versatile sedans in the brand’s history. While official details remain as tightly guarded as a royal’s address, whispers from Crewe suggest that the big Bentley will arrive with three flavors: a traditional twin-turbo V8, a PHEV setup, and a fully electric variant sitting atop the range.

The internal-combustion model isn’t going quietly. Expect a heavily revised 4.0-liter V8 pushing somewhere between 600 and 700 horsepower and up to 664 lb-ft of torque. The plug-in hybrid, meanwhile, will pair that same V8 with a rear-mounted electric motor and a 25.9-kWh battery, delivering an eye-opening 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft through an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

For those who prefer the whisper of electrons, the EV version will reportedly share its bones with the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric. Expect up to 1,000 horsepower, a 113-kWh battery pack, and around 370 miles of range—plus wireless charging capability for the ultimate valet flex.

Design: Bold, Bright, and a Bit Brutal

Bentley previewed its next design chapter earlier this year with the EXP 15 fastback concept, a striking vision that hinted at where the brand is headed. The next Flying Spur will likely channel much of that concept’s DNA—but with the production realism Bentley buyers expect.

Gone are the soft ovals of old. In their place: slim vertical LED headlamps framing a rectangular, backlit version of the brand’s iconic upright grille. The long bonnet, sloping roofline, and muscular haunches remain, while frameless windows add a sleek, modern flourish. Don’t look for flush door handles, though—regulators apparently didn’t share Bentley’s enthusiasm for them.

Out back, a halo-style OLED taillight strip stretches across a smooth panel, anchored by a minimalist diffuser and subtle lip spoiler. The overall impression is clean, assertive, and unmistakably Bentley.

Inside: Tradition Meets Tomorrow

Bentley interiors have always blended opulence with craft, and the next Flying Spur looks set to take that ethos into the digital age. Drawing inspiration from the EXP 15, the cabin is expected to feature a wing-shaped dashboard, backlit wood veneer, and dual OLED displays—all tied together by Bentley’s signature knurled metal controls.

More futuristic touches could include an 87-inch augmented-reality head-up display, an AI-driven voice assistant, and even a retractable digital headliner for immersive ambient effects. Rear passengers, naturally, won’t be left out: expect reclining massage seats, fold-out tables, and modular display pods that redefine first-class travel on four wheels.

The Competition: Rarefied Air

The Flying Spur has always danced in rare company, and the next-gen version won’t be any different. Its primary sparring partners remain the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, though Bentley’s hybrid and EV strategy could also tempt buyers away from newer tech-driven luxury sedans like Huawei’s Maextro S800 in China.

The Road Ahead

Bentley’s decision to slow its EV rollout might look like hesitation, but it feels more like calibration. The company isn’t rejecting the electric age—it’s ensuring its values of craftsmanship, performance, and presence aren’t lost in translation.

Expect the next Flying Spur to break cover in late 2026 or early 2027, wearing the weight of Bentley’s heritage and the promise of its future. Until then, the message from Crewe is clear: luxury isn’t about rushing—it’s about arriving perfectly.

Source: Bentley

Bentley Honors Czech Airmen with Mulliner’s Heroic Czech Squadron Collection

In a celebration that fuses history, craftsmanship, and courage, Bentley Prague has unveiled its first bespoke Mulliner commission — the Czech Squadron Collection — a quartet of meticulously handcrafted Bentleys honoring the valor of Czech airmen who fought alongside the Royal Air Force during World War II.

Created in close collaboration with the British Ministry of Defence, the collection reimagines Bentley’s Continental GT, Continental GT Convertible, Flying Spur, and Bentayga through the lens of four legendary RAF squadrons — Nos. 310, 311, 312, and 313 — each represented by its own distinctive insignia, motto, and bespoke design cues.

“The Czech Squadron Collection is the first Mulliner edition commissioned by Bentley Prague, and we chose a theme that was close to our hearts,” says Jiří Halousek, Sales Manager at Bentley Prague. “The craftsmanship and attention to detail of the Mulliner team is everything we could have hoped for — and more.”

A Tribute Forged in Heritage

There’s deep symbolism here. The Crewe factory, where these Bentleys are built, began life in 1938 as a “shadow factory,” producing the Merlin V12 aero engine — the powerplant that gave life to the Spitfire and Hurricane fighters flown by many of the same Czech pilots this collection now commemorates.

Each car bears laser-etched squadron insignia on its headrests — a Mulliner innovation — while custom treadplates feature the silhouettes of each squadron’s aircraft and its historic motto. Inside, the Bentley Rotating Display gains bespoke dial bezels finished in St. James’ Red, Beluga, or Signal Yellow, echoing the livery of the original wartime aircraft.

Continental GT Convertible: Squadron 310 – “We Fight to Rebuild”

The first in the lineup, the Czech Collection Continental GT Convertible, honors Squadron 310, the first Czech-manned RAF fighter squadron. Cloaked in a Thunder paint finish — a steely blue evoking the Spitfire’s camouflage — and complemented by Blackline Specification and 22-inch wheels in Thunder and Grey, it radiates a purposeful stance.

Inside, the cabin is a masterclass in tone and texture: Cognac main hide, Imperial Blue secondary, and Brunel accents meet herringbone charcoal tweed seatbacks and door panels. The bright tint engine spin fascia continues the mechanical theme, while treadplates proudly bear the Spitfire’s outline and the squadron’s defiant motto.

Bentayga: Squadron 311 – “Never Regard Their Numbers”

If the Continental GT Convertible embodies elegance, the Czech Collection Bentayga channels resilience. Squadron 311, the RAF’s only Czech-manned bomber unit, flew Wellington and B-24 Liberator aircraft — both immortalized on the Bentayga’s front and rear treadplates.

Finished in Cypress Green with black painted wheels and Mulliner’s Blackline Specification, it exudes a hushed power. Inside, Autumn and Cumbrian Green hides evoke the earthy hues of military cockpits, while the dark tint diamond-brushed aluminium fascia adds an edge of technical precision.

Continental GT: Squadron 312 – “Not Many, But Much”

The Czech Collection Continental GT draws inspiration from Squadron 312’s Spitfire fighters. Its Barnato Green finish — a color rooted in Bentley lore — pairs with 22-inch ten-spoke wheels and Blackline trim to create a visual stealth fighter for the road.

Inside, Beluga and Anthracite hides provide a dark, cocooning base, accented by flashes of Fern Green on key touchpoints. The dark tint engine spin fascia and herringbone tweed inserts highlight Mulliner’s obsession with tactile detail. It’s a cabin that feels less like a cockpit and more like a private officer’s quarters.

Flying Spur: Squadron 313 – “One Hawk Chases Many Crows”

Completing the quartet, the Czech Collection Flying Spur pays tribute to Squadron 313, the last of the Czech squadrons formed during the war. Dressed in a refined two-tone Cypress over Anthracite, it’s an understated statement of luxury and remembrance.

The four-seat cabin is a study in contrast and craftsmanship: Gondola Green main hide, Gravity Grey secondary, and Beluga accents merge with open-pore Black Stained Crown Cut Walnut veneers for a tactile, organic feel. The treadplates depict the Spitfire once again, paired with the squadron’s poetic motto.

From War Machines to Works of Art

What makes this collection truly special isn’t just its bespoke nature — Mulliner commissions are, by definition, one-of-a-kind — but its emotional gravity. The Czech Squadron Collection reconnects Bentley’s modern artisans in Crewe with the engine builders who once powered victory in the skies.

In 1946, when Crewe shifted from producing Merlin engines to Bentleys, the first car to roll off the line was the Bentley Mk VI — a machine that marked a transition from war to peace. Nearly eight decades later, that same spirit endures in this quartet of hand-built grand tourers and SUVs, each representing not just a squadron, but a shared legacy of engineering excellence, bravery, and resilience.

Bentley Prague’s Czech Squadron Collection stands as more than just a celebration of craftsmanship — it’s a rolling monument to courage. And in true Bentley fashion, it reminds us that while machines may evolve from engines of war to symbols of peace, the human stories that power them never fade.

Source: Bentley