To launch the new Continental GT V8 in Germany, Bentley came up with an unnecessarily showy but undeniably impressive plan.

They took the car high up in the skies with a chopper an put it on a sky lounge on top of a skyscraper. 300 VIP guests then emerged to celebrate the car’s flying debut in Munich. This elaborate plan is sure put the new Bentley in the headlines, attract more attention to it.

The new Bentley Continental GT V8 is powered by a 4.0 liter engine developing maximum power of 500 bhp (507 PS/373 kW) at 6000 rpm and an extraordinary peak torque of 660 Nm (487 lb ft).  Combined with a new close-ratio 8-speed automatic transmission, this translates into a sub-5 second acceleration time for the 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint and a top speed of over 180 mph (290 km/h). At the same time, the new V8 Continental models achieve outstanding levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions for the luxury performance sector and are capable of travelling over 500 miles (800 km) on a single tank of fuel.

Hot on the heels on posting a 33% sales growth, Bentley unveils the new Continental GTC to the American public at L.A. Auto Show.

America has always been one of the biggest markets for the Continental, and they are going to love this new one. The car on display is a Breeze-colored GTC featuring a custom, coach-built appearance and crisper lines, thanks to aluminium superformed front wings, and, in the rear, the double-horseshoe design first seen on the Mulsanne.

The GTC is more of a luxury yacht than car, yet its 567hp and 516 lb-ft of torque W12 engine can take it from 0 to 60mph in 4.5 seconds and eventually very close to 200 mph. The car has the stiffest chassis of any convertible in the world for great ride quality and handling.

Inside the cabin, besides all the leather and wood and a new touchscreen infotainment with a 30gig hard drive, the GTC now features neck warmers in the rear headrests of its cobra-head designed slim-line seats.  With the top up, acoustics have improved thanks to the addition of acoustically-sensitive undersheet, wheel liners, front and side glass and a three-layer roof with a rubber-film middle layer.

The car is priced from $212,800 in America.

At 2011 L.A. Auto shoe Bentley also showcases the Mulsanne Executive Interior Concept.

This multimedia connectivity concept offers an impressive array of bespoke business, comfort and entertainment features – designed to allow customers to conduct business on the move or just unwind between meetings – all beautifully integrated into the sumptuous and comfortable cabin which takes more than 170 hours to create:

Mulsanne rear passengers receive individual Apple iPad workstations with full internet access (integrated into retractable picnic tables) whilst a large, drop-down LED screen ensures that a wide selection of movies as well as television can also be enjoyed.

Renowned for its painstaking attention to detail, Bentley has added a range of finishing touches including a Tibaldi fountain pen from its specially commissioned Collection which is designed to mirror the Mulsanne’s knurled-metal rotary switchgear and which is discretely stowed in the center armrest.  The car also features – for the first time on a Bentley – a distinctive Yachting-style veneer, which blends light and dark contrasting tones, throughout the cabin.

Bentley drops the top on the new Continental GT to introduce the 2012 GTC ahead of its official debut at IAA next month.

As one of the world’s most luxurious and refined luxury convertibles, the GTC has got a lot to live up to and the expectations are high. That’s why Bentley engineers have done much more work than just chopping the top off.

they’ve tweaked and uprated the chassis to make sure the GTC offers the same dynamic and engaging driving experience as the coupe, without ruining its unrivaled comfort and practicality in its class.

You get a multi-layered fabric hood is complemented by acoustic glass and under-body panels, for optimum noise isolation.

The traditional Continental qualities are still here, stuff like aluminium front wings made without the need for seams or welds that create the look and feel of a coach-built car, or twenty-inch wheels standard with three styles of 21-inch wheel, a first for GTC, available as an option, reinforcing the distinctive, sporting stance of the new Bentley.

Inside the cabin, this magnificent four-seater convertible features soft-touch leather hides, an extensive range of wood veneers, cool-touch metals and deep-pile carpets. There are 17 standard soft-touch leather hide colours with six colour split combinations, complemented by a range of seven veneers.

But it also gets a fair share of high-tech stuff, like the innovative features such as touch-screen infotainment, automatic seat-belt presenters and a Bentley-designed Neck Warmer for comfortable roof-down motoring.

The power comes from a tweaked version of the same 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine, with output raised from 560PS to 575PS (567bhp/423kW) 700Nm (516lb ft). It comes with a ZF 6HP28 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by up to 50% and enables double downshifts.

The car does 0 – 60mph 4.5 secs (0-100 km/h 4.8 secs),  0 – 100mph 10.9 secs (0 – 160km/h 10.9 secs),  and has a top speed 195 mph (314 km/h).

Pricing for the 2012 Bentley Continental GTC is 149,350 GBP in UK, 212,800 USD in America and 170,060 EUR in Europe.

Bentley released details of the Continental Supersports Convertible ISR, the car that celebrates their recent world speed record on ice, even though it was then broken by an Audi!

A couple of months ago an all-wheel drive, biofuel-powered 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible achieved a speed of 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h) on the frozen Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland. Now this ISR model, limited to 100 units worldwide, lets you have a piece of that action.

The new Bentley convertible is available in three distinctive colours, reinforcing its muscular styling, while its leather and Alcantara-lined cabin features high-gloss carbon fibre with a unique red weave.  For an even more extrovert appearance, customers may specify the ISR Mulliner design package (available at no extra cost) with its bold ‘Supersports ISR’ graphics and red-accented detailing. The Supersports Continental Convertible ISR is now available to order at Bentley dealerships and is priced at £189,300 (inclusive of VAT).

Check out the car’s details in the press release below:

Just 100 examples of the ISR will be built at Bentley’s Crewe factory. The Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ is distinguished by its extrovert and muscular design cues that reinforce the uncompromising performance of this extreme Bentley convertible.

Bentley’s designers have selected three ‘stand-out’ exterior paint colours for the new convertible: Beluga, Quartzite and, fittingly, Arctica White. These colours are complemented by a Dark Grey Metallic soft top with Bentley’s refined three-ply composite construction.

The unique appearance of the soft top is created in the outer layer by a ‘grey’ acrylic fibre with a semi-transparent ‘metallic look’ in a twill weave construction.  The car’s potent performance is further accentuated by 20” inch, 10-spoke Supersports wheels with a dark tint finish.

For those customers seeking to accentuate the high performance credentials of the car further, Bentley offers a special ISR Mulliner design package as a no cost option. The 20” 10-spoke Supersports wheels can be specified in a vibrant red paint with a diamond turned finish to produce a lustrous metallic contrast. The dual-louvered dark bonnet vents, unique to Supersports models, are complemented by red accent surrounds. The extrovert Mulliner design is completed with a set of bold of Supersports ISR graphics that run down both flanks of the car.

Contemporary luxury craftsmanship and advanced technology

The dramatic character of the four-seat Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ continues in the cockpit in which traditional Bentley craftsmanship and fine detailing are given an even more bold interpretation.

Traditional leather hides sit alongside a range of contemporary materials for a distinctly sporting style. This includes diamond-quilted Alcantara to doors, quarter panels and seat facings, and ‘soft-grip’ leather on the steering wheel and gear lever.

Unique to the ‘Ice Speed Record’ model, the high-gloss carbon fibre on the dashboard, centre console and roof panel, features a red weave. The theme continues with Pillar Box Red piping to seats and doors, and Pillar Box Red contrast stitching to seats, door casings, steering wheel and gearshift paddles.

The front seats and floor mats also feature embroidered ‘Supersports’ legends while the signature Breitling dashboard clock also has a red accent.

The Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’, despite its ice racing pedigree, is clearly no ‘stripped out’ racer. Its highly specified interior has the highly-advanced touchscreen infotainment system from the new Continental GT that provides rich map imagery and a 30GB on-board hard drive.

An 8-inch screen displays the car’s audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings as well as the very latest navigation system, which uses both an in-car hard-disc drive and a DVD player to access route data. It also utilises dynamic navigation to avoid heavy traffic spots, locates destinations using geo-tagged photos from an SD memory card and is Google Maps-compatible for most markets.

The infotainment system, with 7-digit postcode entry, combines touchscreen controls and classic Bentley knurled rotary switches to offer instant usability. It is complemented by a new driver information panel (DIP) located in the main instrument cluster. The new wide-screen DIP employs TFT technology and enhanced graphics provide the driver with clear and easily accessible information about a wide range of car systems.

Bentley Continental might have become more of a luxury thing, but it is a car capable of extraordinary performance. And it’s not just on normal roads, they just proved it is just as fast on ice! They set a new world speed record on sheet ice at 205.48 mph (330.695 km/h), using a Continental SuperSports Convertible.

For this job they needed a vast area covered with a thick layer of ice. So they went to frozen waters of the Baltic Sea, off the coast of Finland. Fortunately for them, Finland is also where the world’s  best drivers leave.

So they hooked up four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen and he drove the all-wheel drive, 6-litre, 12-cylinder Continental Supersports convertible which, in line with the Company’s CO₂ strategy, ran on biofuel, to achieve that astonishing record. He broke his own 2007 world ice speed record of 199.83 mph (321.6 km/h) set in the Continental GT at the same location.

Some of the challenges he and the team faced included temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees, sudden snow blizzards and potentially dangerous crosswinds on the 16.5km track on a 70cm-thick layer of sea ice.

The record attempt was driven on a 1000m long measured distance with the speed certified by officials from the Finland Traffic Police. His new world record was based on the average of two runs in opposite directions with measured speeds ratified by a representative of The Guinness Book of Records.“The last time, I narrowly missed the magical 200 mph mark in a Continental GT. When I heard about the Supersports I was determined to go record breaking again with the Bentley Boys. This time, with over 600bhp under the bonnet, a Quickshift transmission and the security of the all-wheel drive system, the Supersports convertible was the perfect car to go for the record. ” Kankkunen said.

“200mph came up after 5km on sheet ice. Then it was just a question of getting everything right in the timing zone and hoping the snow kept away. There’s nothing to beat driving a Bentley at these speeds; the conditions may be perilous but the car responds so well to the slightest adjustment which gives you the confidence to push even harder.”

As with the previous record-breaking drive in the Continental GT the Anglo-Finnish team used a car with minimum modification. A fully-welded, heavy-duty safety roll-cage, along with Pirelli winter tyres (Pirelli SottoZero II 275/40R20) and a rear bumper-mounted parachute provided reassurance in case of an emergency. Front and rear spoilers provided optimum high speed stability on the treacherous surface.

To highlight Bentley’s environmental commitment to sustainable fuel sources, Kankkunen’s Supersports Convertible was fuelled with E85 bioethanol rather than petrol (gasoline). All models in the Continental range are capable of running on petrol (gasoline), E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, Bentley’s new Chairman and Chief Executive, said:

“The ice speed record is an amazing feat by Juha Kankkunen, whose skill and courage in extreme conditions truly make him one of the modern-day Bentley Boys. We will be celebrating this achievement with a very special ‘extreme’ Bentley, which will be the most powerful model ever to bear the famed Winged B emblem.”

To make the already exclusive Continental Flying spur even more exquisite, Bentley announced the special ‘Series 51′ edition. As one of the best-selling ultra-luxury saloons in the world, the Flying Spur is almost perfect in terms of style and luxury, so the Series 51 treatment is extra garnish really. But Bentley customers like a lot of garnish in their possession!

As one of the main highlights of the Series 51 we can mention the new range of colors, which encompasses cool and crisp hues through to rich and fiery shades and everything in between with the Bentley colour and trim team recommending one of the three selected interior colours to match whatever exterior finish you go for.

Bentley has also created a unique Series 51 graphite-finished nine-spoke, 19-inch sports alloy wheel, while twin Series 51 wing badges, positioned behind the front wheel arches, complete the bespoke look. Other nice touches include distinctive blue brake callipers and front wing vents styled by Bentley’s head of exterior design, Raul Pires, featuring black or chrome mesh finish.

Customers of both the Flying Spur and Flying Spur Speed models may now select from a range of 14 Series 51 designs, recommended by Bentley’s colour and trim experts. In addition, all Continental Flying Spur and Supersports models are now specified as standard with a state-of-the-art, 30GB touchscreen infotainment system, Like that they put in the 2011 GT model, which seamlessly integrated into their handcrafted cabins.

Dirk van Braeckel, Bentley’s director of design comments: “The Series 51 design concept is inspired by the spirit of the inaugural Bentley styling department in Crewe established by the gifted John Blatchley, who shaped the original and iconic 1950s Bentley Continentals. Today, it provides for a virtually bespoke ordering service due to the thousands of configurations available through Bentley’s expansive colour and trim catalogue.”

First offered on the Continental GT and GTC in 2009, Bentley’s colour and trim team has now created no fewer than14 unique Series 51 designs for the Continental Flying Spur and Flying Spur Speed, enabling customers to tailor their cars to their individual tastes.

The selection of wood veneers or aluminium panels for the dashboard either complements the overall look or provides even greater contrast if the customer so desires. Bentley has reserved the limited-edition Sapelli Pomelle veneer (which provides a rare, naturally occurring quilted effect in the wood) for the Series 51 Flying Spur and a range of further options, including Bentley’s leather trimmed child seat and scatter cushions for the rear seats, may also be specified to further complement the exclusive design.

Whilst the 14 options for the Series 51 Flying Spur provide customers with the opportunity to select some of Bentley’s most eye-catching design work, the colour and trim team is also more than happy to create even more bespoke designs, knowing they have only shown a fraction of the possibilities.

All 2012 model year Bentley Continental Flying Spur and Supersports coupe and convertible models are now equipped with a new, highly-advanced touchscreen infotainment system that provides rich map imagery and a 30GB on-board hard drive.

An 8-inch screen displays the car’s audio system, telephone, ride and comfort settings as well as the very latest navigation system, which uses both an in-car hard-disc drive and a DVD player to access route data. It also utilises dynamic navigation to avoid heavy traffic spots, locates destinations using geo-tagged photos from an SD memory card and is Google Maps-compatible for most markets.

The new infotainment system is complemented by a new driver information panel (DIP) located in the main instrument cluster. The new wide-screen DIP employs TFT technology and enhanced graphics provide the driver with clear and easily accessible information about a wide range of car systems. These include the setting of head lamp ‘coming home’ controls, door locking and mirror functions while providing significantly improved control of such features as phone pairing and bluetooth media connectivity.

The new 2012 model year Continental Flying Spur, Flying Spur Speed and their Series 51 design options, together with the 2012 Supersports coupe and convertible models go on sale from March 2011.

The latest project from Anderson Germany tuning center is based on the already bonkers Bentley Continental SuperSports. They admit that the package actually makes no sense for reasonable people at all, but neither does what Bentley did to the Continental in the first place and created the SS!

The car gets a massive body kit which can also be fitted to other Continental models, including a new diffuser besides front and rear apron, as well as the corresponding side skirts and a rear spoiler. It also comes with a set of huge black coated 3-part light alloy rims in 10×22 inch size, wrapped in high performance tires 285/30-22.

The interior is re-trimmed with leather and alcantara, and of course lots of carbon fiber parts, such as garnish mouldings, center consoles in front and rear and carbon fiber made interior light bordings and so on.

The W12 engine of the SS is also tweaked with a sports air filter, optimized electronics and a valve controlled sports exhaust system with racing cats. So the output has gone up from 630 to 695 hp.

TopGear.com just put out this outtake from the first episode of season 15. If you remember after Jeremy finished reviewing the car, Stiggie got it out for a lap of the track but then in the middle some TV idiot cut to an advertisement for a stupid Korean hatchback! Well, here’s the actual lap, and it’s awesome. Ben Collins really is one talented kid. Too bad he chose to be rich instead of being the Stig! We really hope his replacement will be just as good.

Oh, and it’s good to hear the Vuvuzela again!

Bentley Motors announced that the new version of the Continental GT will make its world debut online on the Internet at 1500 British Summer Time on Tuesday 7 September. This will be a week long reveal which will be available to view day and night at  ContinentalGT.com, and they promise the drama of a formal motor show ‘unveil’ as well as taking several bespoke and virtual tours of the Continental GT by selecting a range of camera angles and distances. Great! The CGT has been with us for nearly a decade and apparently it’s not going to leave anytime soon. This car will go down in the history books as one of all time greatest.

Design Director Dirk van Braeckel, said:“In 2003 we designed a car like no other – a striking, luxury GT coupe combining the craftsmanship and refinement Bentley is renowned for with a purposeful, sporting road presence. Now we’ve taken the opportunity to write a new chapter for the Continental.

The styling and design story in 2010 is just as dramatic and we believe this Bentley GT will be as instantly recognisable as its predecessor. We look forward to the moment the cameras are switched on and sharing the new Continental GT with enthusiasts across the world.”

Launched in 2003 the first Continental helped to spearhead Bentley’s renaissance by offering an entirely new driving experience; it was a high-luxury 2+2 GT coupe also delivering remarkable levels of everyday usability and the stirring performance (courtesy of a hugely powerful 6 litre W12 engine offering 552bhp) associated with the Bentley marque.

Over 22,000 Continental GT models have been delivered to customers since 2003 and the strength of the original engineering and design proposition inspired Bentley to create a 600bhp GT Speed stablemate, the convertible Continental GTC as well as the recently launched Supersports – a muscular 204mph supercar.

The new Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible made its first public driving debut at 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed moving motor show, driven by ‘Bentley Boy’ Derek Bell. Regardless of this horrible color, this 620-hp luxuriously sporty Bentley is a superb car for every occasion. The drop-top Supersports is the ultimate version of the Continental, you know, unless they make yet another edition of this model!

Both Continental Supersports models are now on sale with first deliveries of the convertible due later this summer. The new Mulsanne, which is about to enter full production at the company’s Crewe headquarters, has received an extremely positive reaction and Bentley has already received significant expressions of interest that will account for production through 2011. The first deliveries of Mulsanne will arrive this coming Autumn.

Here’s a few flicks of the Supersports Convertible being driven around the Goodwood course for your pleasure!

Wheelsandmore has just proved that it is possible to improve on perfection by reveling their package for the Bentley Continental Supersports. You see everything is bang-on perfect in the Supersports, but they managed to make it much better by adding a little bit more power, a bit of lowering and some big wheels. It’s a classic!

As for the power, Wheelsandmore gave the car an ecu upgrade, and a set of handmade, stainless steel exhaust. That’s enough to take power from 630 hp up to 702 bhp and 650 lb-ft of torque.

Then to tame this beast, they have fitted it with huge 16.54 inches carbon-ceramic brake discs, 3-piece lightweight C-Sport wheels measuring at 10,5×21“ with Dunlop Sport Maxx tyres front and rear, wearing an enormous 4,5“ outside lip in the rear, and an electronic lowering module called „LowMaXX“ which is also speed-dependent.

And the greatest thing is that they didn’t mess with the styling and left it untouched. Those the matte black wheels and the lowering job are simply enough to boost the appeal of this black beauty. It is dangerously desirable!

After Rolls Royce, Bentley is also offering some special editions for the Chinese market. These are two unique models based on the Continental GT and Flying Spare, and feature special visual tweaks and equipments specially commissioned for Chinese customers. The Continental GT, which is called the Design Series, for example comes with three-tone interior that blends a main leather hide colour with accent and insert colours.

They are also the only models are also the first Bentley’s to feature Orange and Magenta as accent colours and the vast Bentley paint palette is further extended with the introduction of Orange Flame and Magenta Metallic. Other exclusive stuff with the Design Series include striking wood veneers in Piano Black and dark-stained Burr Walnut, or the rare Amboyna veneer, plus lots of Design Series China’ motifs on the exterior wing badge, treadplate and name badge positioned on the centre console.

And as for the Flying Spur Speed, well the world’s fastest luxury four-door saloon gets a bespoke ‘comfort’ suspension setting has been developed for the Speed China which emphasises the car’s superior ride quality for both driver and passengers, with no compromise in terms of performance and handling. Thanks to that magnificent W12 engine under the hood Mr.Chinese can still do 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds and reach top speed of 200 km/h.

Distinguishing features o this model include ‘Speed China’ treadplates plus wing badges and console plaques, ustom leather cushions for rear passengers which are embroidered with Bentley wings, and special display case for the ignition key. The car comes with the original 20-inch multi-spoke Speed wheels.

“Bentley has a long and proud tradition of creating exclusive cars designed to meet the styling and driving tastes of our customers, wherever in the world they might be. Designed and offered exclusively for our customers in China, these special-edition Bentleys showcase our styling and engineering teams’ abilities and also underlines our desire to create cars for this influential market.”

Bentley Continental GT Design Series China:

Bentley Continental Flying Spur Speed China:

The Continental Supersports Convertible, the fastest and most amazing Bentley ever made is making its US debut at the ongoing New York Auto Show, as the company announces it’s official MSRP. The car will hit the showroom floor this Summer, starting from $280,400. That’s a bit steep, but then you get a lot of car in return. Hit the jump to learn more about it by reading the specs.

“The new Supersports Convertible is the most powerful drop-top we’ve ever produced,” said Christophe Georges, President & Chief Operating Officer for Bentley Motors, Inc. “This extreme power combines with pioneering FlexFuel technology, now shared with all Continental models,reflecting Bentley’s ongoing commitment to more environmental motoring.”

The fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley ever

• 6-liter W12 engine twin-turbocharged engine produces 621bhp at 6,000 rev/min and 590lb ft of torque at 2,000-4,500 rev/min

• 0 – 60mph in 3.9 seconds

• 0 -100mph in 9.6 seconds

• Top speed of 202mph

• Overall weight saving of 198 lbs versus GTC Speed

A highly focused, extreme Bentley convertible driving experience

• Revised ZF 6HP26 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50 percent and enables double downshifts

•New 40/60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle steering’

• Retuned Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system, stiffer suspension bushes and uprated rear anti-roll bar benefit body control, steering response,turn-in and balance

•  Increased 2-inch rear track improves grip and stability

•Lightweight, 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels offer 22 lbs weight saving per car, reducing unsprung and rotating mass and improving brake cooling

•  275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra High Performance tires

• Advanced ESP system fully exploits potential of the powerful W12 engine and improved chassis

•Standard-fit carbon-ceramic brakes provide fade-free braking and contribute a 44 lb reduction in rotating and unsprung mass from the front axle

Muscular yet elegant styling with four-seat practicality

•Form follows function: distinctive center air intake and vertical grilles feed larger volume of air (+ ten percent) to turbocharger intercoolers while bonnet vents extract hot air from engine bay

•Subtly curved rear wheel arches with newly tooled side panels accommodate increased rear track of the uprated chassis and provide muscular stance

• Distinctive ‘smoked steel finish’ to all exterior ‘brightware,’ including the first automotive application of‘Physical Vapour Deposition’ to stainless steel

• Larger, twin elliptical exhaust tailpipes and rear valance with discreet vertical divider

• Fixed rear boot lid spoiler for improved aerodynamics

• Unique driver-focused, four-seat cabin

• Lightweight, carbon fibre, front sports seats, saving 99 lbs per car

• Alcantara™, carbon fibre and ‘Soft Grip’ leather provide a new interpretation of Bentley craftsmanship

The standardization of FlexFuel capability across the 2011 Continental model range reaffirms Bentley’s on-going environmental commitment

• FlexFuel available on all 2011 Continental models, including the new Supersports Convertible, from June 2010

• All Continental models are now capable of running on gasoline and E85 biofuel or any combination of the two

• Power and torque remain constant whatever the ratio of gasoline to E85 biofuel

•A Fuel Quality Sensor detects the blending ratio of the fuel in real time sending a signal to the engine control unit (ECU), initiating the correct engine mapping. This ensures all performance parameters remain balanced and consistent

• Offers a reduction in CO₂emissions of up to 70 percent (well-to-wheel,) a measure of a fuel’snet contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions

Everybody knew that Bentley will eventually launch a drop-top version of its amazing Continental Supersports model, and here it is! It’ll make it public debut at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show next month and features all the great things of the Coupe model plus an electric folding roof for that little extra something. This is literally the ultimate Bentley Continental. And unlike the other Continentals, this one is very very cool.

Powered by the same Flex Fuel Twin-Turbo W12 engine as the coupe, the Supersports Convertible develops a massive 630 hp and 800 nm of torque. That means 0-60mph in just 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph or 325 km/h! That makes it the fastest four-seat convertible in the world.

All models in the Continental model range, including the new Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible are now capable of running on both petrol (gasoline) and E85 bioethanol or any combination of the two, reaffirming Bentley’s ongoing commitment to make all its cars bio-fuel compatible by 2012. Pioneered by the Supersports Coupe, this FlexFuel technology offers a reduction of up to 70 per cent in CO2 emissions on a ‘well-to-wheel’ basis, a measure of a fuel’s net contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions.

The drop-top Supersports has also undergone a surgery to become more rigid and stiff now that the roof is gone. But amazingly it is 90 kg lighter than the GTC Speed! Part of this weight saving is due to the extensive use of carbon fiber for the interior trim instead of timber and stainless steel parts. This also gives the Supersports a unique character over the other Continentals.

Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible features at a glance:

• Revised ZF 6HP26 transmission with ‘Quickshift’ system that cuts shift times by 50% and enables double downshifts
• New 40/60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system reduces understeer when powering out of bends and provides for better modulation of line and attitude by ‘throttle steering’
• Retuned Continuous Damping Control (CDC) system, stiffer suspension bushes and uprated rear anti-roll bar benefit body control, steering response, turn-in and balance
• Increased 50mm rear track improves grip and stability
• Lightweight, 20-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels offer 10kg (22lb) weight saving per car, reducing unsprung and rotating mass and improving brake
• 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra High Performance tyres
• Advanced ESP system fully exploits potential of the most powerful W12 engine and improved chassis
• Standard-fit carbon-ceramic brakes provide fade-free braking and contribute a 20kg (44lb) reduction in rotating and unsprung mass from the front axle.
Muscular yet elegant styling with four-seat practicality
• Form follows function: distinctive centre air intake and vertical grilles feed larger volume of air (+ 10%) to turbocharger intercoolers while bonnet vents extract hot air from engine bay
• Subtly curved rear wheel arches with newly tooled side panels accommodate increased rear track of the uprated chassis and provide muscular stance
• Distinctive ‘smoked steel finish’ to all exterior ‘brightware’, including the first automotive application of ‘Physical Vapour Deposition’ to stainless steel
• Larger, twin elliptical exhaust tailpipes and rear valance with discreet vertical divider • Fixed rear bootlid spoiler for improved aerodynamics
• Unique driver-focused, four-seat cabin
• Lightweight, carbon fibre, front sports seats, saving 45kg (99lb) per car
• Alcantara™, carbon fibre and ‘Soft Grip’ leather provide a new interpretation of Bentley craftsmanship
• The standardisation of FlexFuel capability across the 2011 Continental model range reaffirms Bentley’s on-going environmental commitment
• FlexFuel available on all 2011 Continental models, including the new Supersports Convertible, from June 2010 (all markets)
• All Continental models, are now capable of running on petrol and E85 biofuel or any combination of the two
• Power and torque remain constant whatever the ratio of petrol to E85 biofuel
• A Fuel Quality Sensor detects the blending ratio of the fuel in real time sending a signal to the engine control unit (ECU), initiating the correct engine mapping. This ensures all performance parameters remain balanced and consistent
• Offers a reduction in CO2 emissions of up to 70% (well-to-wheel), a measure of a fuel’s net contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions
Enhanced choice for all Continental model range customers
• The full 2011 Continental range gets a host of new exterior and interior specification changes
• Six new colours are added to the Bentley palette (Citric, White Satin, Kingfisher, Magenta, Orange Flame and St James Red Pearl)
• Dark Grey Metallic Hood that is available on all Continental convertible including the new Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible
• Automatic opening and closing Powerboot is included as standard on the new Continental Flying Spur and GTC models (not Supersports versions)
• A new cost option Premium Pack for the Flying Spur includes veneered picnic tables with vanity mirrors, a Mulliner alloy fuel filler cap and chrome inlay strips to the door waistrails

Jay Leno is getting much busier at hos garage day after day testing and reviewing different supercars. And that’s great because we really like his verdicts on the cars he drives. He tests the cars as a real-world user and talks straight and simple, without any of the typical motoring journalism gibberish! Here’s his take on the fastest, most Bentley ever made, the Continental Supersports.

During its debut at the 2010 Detroit Motor Show,pricing is also revealed for the Series 51 Bentley Continental GT. Available for GT,GTC and Speed models, the Series 51 package comes with unique choice of colours, features and options for the interior. It is presented along with the new Mulssane flagship saloon which as we knew costs $285,000, but it has a more reasonable price tag, emmm, $192,750!

The Series 51 boosts one feature of the Continental, and Bentley in general, which is exclusively fine craftsmanship, and for that reason it is well worth the price. Apart from the new styling cues, the cabin also features two tone colour split with a third accent colour, contrast stitching, piping and binding, embroidered headrests, diamond quilting and unique Amboyna veneer. The attention to details in this car is just bewildering.

Series 51 is named after the year that the first official styling department was established in Crewe by the gifted John Blatchley, who shaped the original and iconic 1950s Bentley Continentals. Every Series 51 car will feature a highly-distinctive interior colour palette and unique exterior design cues.

Both the Continental GT and GTC offer a powerful road presence and the Series 51 cars further accentuate these sporting credentials with some eye-catching exterior styling. A 20? 14-spoke polished Diamond wheel with a dark center cap provides Series 51 cars with a purposeful and stylish appearance. The cars will be distinguished by a signature ‘51? badge on the front wings.

The last thing you expect from a supercar is to care for the environment! Specially when it’s a twin-turbo monster with top speed of 329 km/h! But Bentley, being a noble car maker, is determined to become greener and you gotta give it to them because what they’ve achieved with the Continental Supersports is quite remarkable. It is the fastest Bentley ever, it’s also the lightest and most handsome in the Continental series, its engine is E85 ethanol capable and on the proof of TÜV standard it’s 85 percent recyclable and 95 percent recoverable!

Dr. Arno Homburg, Head of Whole vehicle Development at Bentley Motors said:

“Producing the fastest Bentley was a challenge in itself. However, we were equally determined not to sacrifice any environmental aspect in pursuit of this goal. The result is the paradox that the most extreme Bentley ever, is also the greenest”. “It is part of our responsibility as a car maker to contribute to environmental improvements and with Supersports you can see an evolution of this thinking. Even though Bentleys last a very long time – nearly 70% of all cars ever made are still on the road or in collections – we have still sought to ensure any environmental impact is minimised. The wide use of natural materials such as wood and leather and the craftsmanship inherent in their use naturally favours us here.”

World famous auto artist Jon Sibal has come up with a rendering of a convertible Bentley Continental Supersports, something that the company might put into production soon. As you know the Supersports is the latest edition of Continental series and is the fastest and most powerful one yet with its ethanol-capable turbocharged W12 engine developing 630 hp and 800 Nm of torque. This car will definitely make a sweet convertible! [JONSIBAL.com]

The production version of the most powerful and fastest Bentley ever has been scooped around Nurburgring and now on it! without any disguise and that’s because the car features exactly the same shape as the concept one shown in the 2009 Geneva Motor show.

The Supersports is still a Continental but these slight styling touches make it look more bold and powerful, but it’s not a facelift really. The real upgrade lies beneath the bonnet! Where a new version of VW’s W12 engine is located and is now producing 30 hp more than the Speed model and a as near as makes no difference a 100 hp more than the entry level  Bentley Continental GT. So with 630 hp it can easily reach 330 km/h, it’s the fastest Bentley ever produced!

You can also feed this engine with Bio-Ethanol, so it’s kinda green as well! In fact making Ethanol-powered cars is a long term plan for Bentley to lower their general emissions level. Bentley Continental Supersports will go on sale this autumn with prices close to 250,000 Euros.

Bentley Supersports outside the Ring on the B roads!

Last year at Geneva Motorshow Bentley unveiled an ultra exclusive  Continental in partnership with Italian coachbuilder Zagato. The car based on the GT Speed with 600bhp features a unique classic body which is literally mesmerizing. There will only 9 units of this masterpiece and apparently the first one is in the hands of an Italian luxury car broker and is available on JamesList for a whopping $1.7 million. So… start saving, maybe you can buy the next one!