New Bentley Continental GT Supersports: 640 HP, V8, Rear-Wheel Drive

Bentley is preparing to launch the next-generation Continental GT Supersports — the lightest and most “pure” coupe in its lineup. Early reports suggest that the new model will ditch not only the hybrid system but also all-wheel drive.

The project is led by Bentley CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, a passionate motorsport enthusiast. Before joining the British brand, Walliser spent many years at Porsche, where he helped develop the 918 Spyder, led the motorsport division, and oversaw the development of the 718 and 911 models. Since taking the helm at Bentley last year, he has been actively promoting initiatives that reconnect the brand with its racing heritage.

According to available information, the new Continental Supersports will be powered by a 640-horsepower V8, sending power exclusively to the rear wheels. This will mark the first “hardcore” version in Bentley’s upcoming lineup of high-performance sports models.

The Supersports name has appeared twice before, on previous Continental GT generations, both times paired with a twin-turbocharged W12 engine. That engine is now discontinued, and the entire Continental lineup is moving to V8s. In standard coupe models, the V8 is paired with a hybrid system, while the GT Speed features a more powerful version of the setup.

Bentley’s racing history is rich, with the brand claiming victory at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans five times — from 1924 to 1930 and again in 2003. After Volkswagen acquired Bentley in 1998, the performance and engineering potential of its cars reached a whole new level.

The new Supersports will be the first rear-wheel-drive Continental GT in the brand’s history and the most powerful car on this platform. Interestingly, it shares this architecture with the Porsche Panamera, which only offers rear-wheel drive in its base 348-horsepower version.

Given the impressive performance of the current Continental GT and Dr. Walliser’s experience, the new Supersports is shaping up to deliver genuinely thrilling results. The official debut is set for November 13.