Bentley flips the bird with rapid new Continental Supersports

British luxury car maker releases the world’s fastest four-seat luxury car.

Seemingly unmoved by criticisms last year of its high-speed stunt in the Northern Territory, that saw racing driver John Bowe controversially max out its Continental GT Speed at 330km/h, British luxury car maker Bentley has released what it describes as its fastest and most powerful road car ever.

In a one-fingered salute to wowsers everywhere, Bentley’s new Continental Supersports eclipses the top speed set by John Bowe on a closed section of the Stuart Highway, and even betters that of Italian maker Ferrari’s GTC4Lusso, to claim the title of ‘world’s fastest four-seat luxury car’.

Changes to the turbochargers and intercooler, along with beefed up engine internals, result in an increase of 55kW and 197NM over the current range-topping Bentley Continental GT Speed.

The ballistic Brit also gets a range of styling enhancements to emphasise its performance potential, including 21-inch lightweight forged alloys, carbon-fibre accents on the front splitter and rear diffuser, and an optional fixed rear spoiler, also made of carbonfibre.

“Only Bentley could create a car which combines immense performance and unrivalled luxury in this way,” said Bentley Motors chairman and chief executive Wolfgang Dürheimer.

The Continental Supersports is expected to be available in Australia later this year, with pricing yet to be confirmed. However, with the range-topping Continental Speed costing $461,300 (plus on-road costs) in coupe form and $507,300 (plus on-road costs) as a convertible, potential buyers shouldn’t expect much change out of $500,000 for the coupe, or $550,000 for the convertible.