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Bentley's Supersports program began as an 'under the radar' project exploring
the possibilities of weight reduction on the Continental GT Coupé but with more
power and torque. The largely experimental project soon crystallized into an
official new car program, driven by the passion and enthusiasm of a small
group of Bentley engineers and designers. Now the Supersports Convertible has
received the same focus and the results are equally dramatic.
A Highly
Focused Driving Experience
With 621 hp and 590 lb-ft of
torque from its pioneering FlexFuel engine and new 'Quickshift' transmission,
the Supersports Convertible is the fastest drop-top Bentley has ever built. It
accelerates from 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds and,
conditions permitting, can continue onto a top speed of 202 mph.
The increased power and torque are transmitted to the all-wheel drive system
via an uprated and rapid six-speed Quickshift transmission, which more than
halves shift times (to just 93 milliseconds) and maximizes the new Convertible's
enormous potential. The revised gearbox also has the ability to deliver double
downshifts (sixth to fourth gear, for example) and improves acceleration across
the entire gear range. To cope with the additional power and torque, the
planetary gear set of the ZF transmission is also strengthened.
Positive
torque during downshifts is achieved through engine and gearbox electronic
controller interaction for extra throttle and fuel injection during the overrun.
During transmission upshifts, fuel and ignition are cut momentarily to give
faster mechanical shift times through torque reduction, also improving shift
quality and durability.
The extreme performance of the Superports
Convertible is matched by precise, agile handling, while retaining class-leading
levels of ride comfort and refinement. Developed from the GTC Speed, chassis
enhancements include retuning of the electronic Continuous Damping Control (CDC)
system, stiffer front suspension bushes and uprated rear anti-roll bar. The
Supersports Convertible also shares its ride height with the GTC Speed, sitting
0.4 in lower at the front and 0.6in lower at the rear than the
standard GTC.
The front suspension trailing lever features a new design
of hydraulic bush, 33 per cent stiffer than those of GTC Speed, for improved
steering response while the uprated rear anti-roll bar provides improved body
control and turn-in response.
The retuned CDC system provides enhanced
control of body movement to strike the optimum balance between agile handling
and ride comfort during all driving maneuvers. Agility is further sharpened by
a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system which reduces
understeer during hard cornering and allows the experienced driver to modulate
the car's line and balance via precise throttle control.
The 9.5Jx20-inch
forged alloy wheels, shared with the Supersports Coupé, offer a weight saving of
22 lbs per car, reducing unsprung and rotating mass while the open 10-spoke
design offers superior brake cooling. The rear wheels have a 1 inch
greater offset resulting in a 2 inch increase in the rear track,
further benefiting handling and stability.
The lightweight wheels are
fitted with 275/35 ZR 20 Pirelli Ultra-High Performance tires, providing
excellent steering response. The standard-fit tire monitoring system allows the
driver to select tires type and speed range parameters. As well as monitoring
pressures, the system warns drivers if their speed is too high for the tire
pressures or if tire speed ratings are exceeded on winter tires.
The
Supersports Convertible features an advanced electronic stability program
(ESP) that moderates intervention at low speeds, exploiting the potential of the
more powerful engine and enhanced chassis, improving driver interaction and
control. The new ESP also provides faster reinstatement of engine torque after
intervention, giving the spirited driver greater control. The target slip is
increased at greater than 90 per cent throttle to utilize all available
longitudinal grip. Corner exit agility is thereby also enhanced for increased
driver involvement. Together the chassis, tire and track changes deliver
improved grip, turn-in and agility.
Carbon ceramic brakes are standard
fitment and provide a reduction in rotating and unsprung mass of 44 lbs
from the front axle, benefiting steering response, grip and ride comfort. The
large diameter (420mm front, 356mm rear) lightweight discs and eight-piston
calipers offer fade-resistant braking performance with minimal disc distortion
under high thermal conditions. Pedal feel is also improved with shorter travel,
high effectiveness and a precise pressure point.
Designing the
'Extreme' Bentley Convertible
The evolution of the
Supersports Convertible's design is very much a case of form following function,
with new purposeful sculptural forms signaling the engineering changes beneath
the skin. Key engineering-led design changes to the Supersports include:
* Revised front air intakes and new bonnet vents to improve airflow and cooling
* Flared rear wings to accommodate wider rear track
* Discreet bootlid
spoiler benefitting aerodynamic balance at high speeds
The increased
power and torque of the W12 engine necessitated an additional 10 per cent
airflow to the twin turbocharger intercoolers and cooling system. With extensive
use of Computational Fluid Dynamics techniques, Bentley's designers responded
with a purposeful and dramatic style, featuring large vertical intake apertures.
Twin bonnet vents were added to ensure positive air extraction.
Similarly, all-new flared rear wings that accommodate the 2 inch wider
rear track are designed to emphasize the powerful stance of this ultra-high
performance Convertible. The resultant Supersports Convertible style combines
the looks of the graceful Continental GTC with a wide, low and muscular
appearance that reflects its more extreme character.
From
the front, the radiator, lower grille and dual bonnet vents are finished in a
striking Smoked Steel finish. Derived from an innovative technology normally
used to apply a coating to luxury watches and specialized industrial tools,
Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD) is a complex and time-consuming process that
involves vaporized metal being deposited onto the surface of, in this case,
stainless steel.
Giving a darker, more solid appearance, it is the first
use of a PVD finish on stainless steel in the car industry. In addition to the
Smoked Steel finishes, a gloss black finish to the headlamp casings and rear
lamp clusters gives the Supersports convertible's distinctive face and muscular
rear additional visual impact.
Restyled - and more aerodynamic - door
mirrors match the exterior paint choice and the window and door surrounds
replace polished stainless steel with a Smoked Steel finish to match the front
grille. Eye-catching, black gloss Bentley-branded brake calipers act on the
carbon ceramic brakes. Surrounding the brakes are the unique 20-inch, forged
alloy wheels with Smoked Steel-finish which are exclusive to Supersports models.
Large diameter tailpipe trims round out the car's purposeful stance when viewed
from the rear. Beneath the bonnet Supersports badges grace the cover of the
621 hp W12 engine.
The Supersports Convertible has an
electrically operated, three-layer fabric hood with advanced acoustic insulation
to provide superb levels of refinement and comfort when raised. A choice of
eight hood colors are available, including a new Dark Grey Metallic option,
which is achieved by weaving a 'grey' acrylic fibre with a semi-transparent
'metallic effect' fibre in a twill weave construction to create a directional
color effect.
Inside: A Re-Interpretation of Bentley Craftsmanship
Inside
the Supersports Convertible, the cockpit is a dramatic execution of iconic
Bentley design displayed in its full glory every time the roof is lowered.
Lightweight carbon
fiber is featured throughout the cabin, from the unique carbon-weave treadplates
with Supersports script in both doorwells to the sculpted lightweight sports
front seats, which feature a carbon fiber clamshell back and Diamond-quilted
Alcantara. Each seat weighs just 21 kg and, in a typical example of attention to
detail, the visible weave in the carbon fiber has a 'Bentley-specific' density
to ensure the perfect visual finish.
The Continental Supersports is the
first Bentley to offer a combination of soft-grip leather and
performance-enhancing Alcantara alongside the leather hide. Alcantara is
favored by racing teams for its ability to provide additional grip under
extreme conditions, such as cornering. But it is also sensational to look at, as
well as being immensely supportive on the road or track.
The Alcantara
applied to the rear compartment, door panels and seat facings is quilted and in
the Supersports marks the return of the much smaller 'diamond' upholstery
pattern from Bentleys of old. To further highlight the car's sporting nature,
the steering wheel and gear lever are trimmed in new 'Soft Grip' leather with
extra grip for a supercar feel, and drilled alloy sports pedals stand out in the
driver's footwell.
Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications