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When I was a kid, my mum had a wonderful saying whenever she wanted me to curb my youthful exuberance.
“Gently with the Bentley,” she would suggest.
For some reason, her sage advice filled my thoughts as I climbed behind the wheel of the Bentley Continental Supersports Coupe. Why? Well, not only does it cost $500,000, it’s also the fastest car the company has produced in its 90-year history, with a top speed of 330km/h.
But this is no snarling, unmanageable beast that leaves you a gibbering wreck every time you take it out of the garage. It is amazingly fast – 0 to Norway in 5 secs kind of fast - but it’s also incredibly driveable and comfortable. Unlike a Ferrari or a Lamborghini, you could pop down to the shops and fetch the milk in this car without an anxiety attack.
Truth be told, I loved the shape of this car from the first moment I saw it, partly because it reminded me ever-so-slightly of the Jensen Interceptor, my favourite car from the 60s and 70s.
But there’s nothing old-fashioned about this beautiful Bentley. The bonnet-filling 6 litre, W-12 engine pumps out 621 of horsepower. This is brought home graphically when I touch the accelerator and feel like the front of my chest is pressing against the back of the slim, race-style seats. Apparently this is due to the 40:60 front to rear “torque” bias but whatever the cause, it’s a fantastic sensation.
And the noise this car makes when you hit the gas is what sends true motoring enthusiasts teary-eyed. Imagine 100 tigers growling in your ear at the same time and you’ve got the idea. This is a car that will hit 100km/h and barely make it past 1500rpm.
Part of the reason the car is so quick is the two years Bentley designers and engineers spent trying to make it lighter than previous models.
By replacing the wooden veneers with carbon fibre, utilising Alcantara (a faux suede material) for the first time in a Bentley, and using carbon fibre for the seats, dashboard, centre console and rear cabin, they shaved 110 kilos off the weight.
But the innovations don’t stop there. The Supersports can run on any blend of fuel, from EO (premium unleaded) to E85, and any mix of the two, making it environmentally friendly as well as economical. Makers claim that despite the size of the engine, it will do a tick over 16litres per hundred kilometres.
The Bentley boffins also revised the transmission, halving the shift time so the gears change quicker, improving performance, speed and driveability. And a button on the central console allows you to raise or lower the chassis, a handy feature if you’ve got a particularly bumpy driveway.
As soon as you climb inside the two-seater cabin, the hand-built workmanship is apparent. Replacing the wooden t rim with leather has done nothing to diminish the classy feel of the interior.
But Bentley hasn’t finished yet. Several orders have already been taken for the convertible version with the car due to hit Australia in November. Although I’m not sure if anyone will follow Paris Hilton’s lead (pictured right) and buy a pink version.
By Jon Underwood
at a glance
Bentley Continental Supersports
Engine: W12, 6-litre delivering 621bhp (463kW/630PS) @ 6000rpm.
Torque: 800Nm (590 lb ft) @ 1700 to 5600rpm
0-100kph: 3.9 secs
Max speed: 330km/h
Fuel tank: 90 litres
Fuel economy: 16.3l/100km (24.5l/100km urban)
Gross Vehicle Weight: 2565kg
Overall length: 4804mm
Wheel base: 2745mm
RRP: $506,396 excluding stamp duty and on road costs.
www.bentleymotors.com
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