Latest news with #Supersports
Auto Car
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Car
Bentley is working on the hottest Continental GT yet - bringing back a legendary name
Bentley is preparing a new range-topper for its Continental GT line-up – potentially even creating an indirect successor to the Supersports of 2013. Speaking to Autocar, Bentley R&D chief Matthias Rabe didn't rule out the possibility of transplanting the 641bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain from the new Bentayga Speed into the Continental GT. Test mules photographed this month provided further evidence of the new Continental GT's credentials, mainly suggesting that the new car will be positioned as something more extreme than the current car, rather than – as the Supersports nameplate meant before – be a model that guns purely to be the most powerful Continental in the range. To do the latter will be a hard task, given the fourth-generation Continental – which was launched last year – exclusively uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain and, in its most powerful Speed guise, puts out a lofty 771bhp. Instead, the testing pictures suggest the new 'Supersports' will instead be positioned as a lightweight and pure-combustion alternative to that model. A track and lap-time focus looks to be a key part of the brief, given the mules are fitted with a fixed rear spoiler and extra front aero. There is also a new tailpipe design, which replaces Bentley's traditional oval pipes with twin exhausts on either side. Besides the alloys appearing to be of a new design that is not currently available in the standard GT range, no other distinguishing design cues are visible. The previous Supersports were marked out by chunky vertical air intakes in the lower front bumper. Further details of the car remain under wraps but, like the Supersports predecessor, it is likely to be available in only limited numbers and priced well above the current GT's £202,400.
Miami Herald
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Bentley Continental GT Prototype Heralds The Return of the Supersports
When one thinks of the Flying B's contemporary wares, there's never any shortage of horsepower, but the racing pedigree that made the brand so successful at the start of the 20th century is a second thought to supreme serenity. Indeed, a Bentley is an ultra-luxurious machine first and foremost, but even among buyers who can tell what forest their wood trim came from just by the grain, there is always a small group of individuals who are bored by opulence alone, seeking to push the limits of performance beyond what their peers think is reasonable. In the 1920s, the Bentley Boys personified this attitude of extremism. In the 2020s, those who choose to get behind the wheel of the monster Bentley is now testing at the Nürburgring will be stealing stares and grabbing glances. Based on the Continental GT Speed, this prototype captured by our spies is preparing to become the most hardcore Bentley yet. Unlike the regular GT Speed, this prototype has a large spoiler on the trunk and aggressive canards on the front end, and such aggressive bodywork has previously characterized the Supersports. Until the 2017 Supersports, the aesthetic changes were always subtle, but Bentley went hardcore with a vented hood, more aggressive front and rear ends, and a sizable wing on the trunk. It's unclear if this prototype will swap its spoiler for a wing at a later stage, but then again, this may not even be the most aggressive Continental in the Bentley pipeline; previous Supersports variants have arrived at the end of the life cycle, not near the start, so this may well be a hotter Continental, but not necessarily the hottest. That said, the sinister taillights and quad tailpipes are signature styling characteristics of the Supersports. Our spies have also floated the idea of this being named the Continental GT Speed RS. The wheels on this prototype appear to be fairly vanilla, but other sightings of this hardcore Bentley have shown a more intricate, aggressive dual-five-spoke design. Nevertheless, the Pirelli P Zero tires and large brakes suggest this won't just be an appearance package; we expect more power. The current Continental GT Speed's twin-turbo V8 hybrid delivers a combined 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, so a figure close to or just beyond 800 hp seems reasonable. After all, the last GT Supersports had 79 more horsepower than the car upon which it was based. As we touched on earlier, the current Continental GT Speed has only been around a little more than a year (and this is our first sighting of the sportier special edition), so we doubt this hardcore version, whatever name it bears, will be revealed before the end of the year. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
17-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
Bentley Continental GT Prototype Heralds The Return of the Supersports
Bentley Continental GT Speed Is About To Get A Lot More Of It When one thinks of the Flying B's contemporary wares, there's never any shortage of horsepower, but the racing pedigree that made the brand so successful at the start of the 20th century is a second thought to supreme serenity. Indeed, a Bentley is an ultra-luxurious machine first and foremost, but even among buyers who can tell what forest their wood trim came from just by the grain, there is always a small group of individuals who are bored by opulence alone, seeking to push the limits of performance beyond what their peers think is reasonable. In the 1920s, the Bentley Boys personified this attitude of extremism. In the 2020s, those who choose to get behind the wheel of the monster Bentley is now testing at the Nürburgring will be stealing stares and grabbing glances. Based on the Continental GT Speed, this prototype captured by our spies is preparing to become the most hardcore Bentley yet. The Return Of The Supersports Moniker? Unlike the regular GT Speed, this prototype has a large spoiler on the trunk and aggressive canards on the front end, and such aggressive bodywork has previously characterized the Supersports. Until the 2017 Supersports, the aesthetic changes were always subtle, but Bentley went hardcore with a vented hood, more aggressive front and rear ends, and a sizable wing on the trunk. It's unclear if this prototype will swap its spoiler for a wing at a later stage, but then again, this may not even be the most aggressive Continental in the Bentley pipeline; previous Supersports variants have arrived at the end of the life cycle, not near the start, so this may well be a hotter Continental, but not necessarily the hottest. That said, the sinister taillights and quad tailpipes are signature styling characteristics of the Supersports. Our spies have also floated the idea of this being named the Continental GT Speed RS. More Changes Are Coming To Bentley's Hottest Coupe The wheels on this prototype appear to be fairly vanilla, but other sightings of this hardcore Bentley have shown a more intricate, aggressive dual-five-spoke design. Nevertheless, the Pirelli P Zero tires and large brakes suggest this won't just be an appearance package; we expect more power. The current Continental GT Speed's twin-turbo V8 hybrid delivers a combined 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque, so a figure close to or just beyond 800 hp seems reasonable. After all, the last GT Supersports had 79 more horsepower than the car upon which it was based. As we touched on earlier, the current Continental GT Speed has only been around a little more than a year (and this is our first sighting of the sportier special edition), so we doubt this hardcore version, whatever name it bears, will be revealed before the end of the year. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
TT riders get track time in free practice session
Competitors in this year's Isle of Man TT availed themselves of some valuable track time in Tuesday's untimed free practice session for the event. The session went ahead after inclement weather earlier in the day cleared sufficiently, although riders reported that they were exercising caution due to damp patches on areas of the circuit which made conditions difficult. The sidecars were first off the line at 18:35 BST in bright sunshine, followed by the Supersports and Supertwins and finally the larger capacity Superbikes and Superstocks. Each session was afforded 35 minutes, with the solo sessions held in more overcast conditions. The opening day of the 2025 TT meeting on Monday had seen all laps except the newcomers' speed-controlled lap cancelled. It had initially been planned that Tuesday's session would be a timed qualifying one but ultimately rain showers during the day led to the practice being declared as untimed. Among those out on the Mountain Course for the first time this year were the most successful rider in the history of the races, Michael Dunlop, who took his wins tally to 29 last year courtesy of the fourth four-timer of his career at the event. Dunlop took out all four of his machines, including his World Superbike-spec Rokit BMW and World Supersport-spec Ducati V2 Supersport bike. The Northern Ireland rider has changed manufacturer for both classes, having campaigned Hondas in the big bike classes and a Yamaha in the middleweight category in 2024. Despite his prolific winning record of recent years, the 36-year-old has not tasted success in the blue riband Senior race since 2017, an eight-year gap the Ballymoney man will be keen to bridge this year. Other leading contenders for this year's races include 14-time winner Peter Hickman, Honda Racing's Dean Harrison and Davey Todd, who earned his first two TT wins 12 months ago. Todd's mounts this year include a Padgett's Paton for the Supertwins class, a first foray into that category for the renowned Yorkshire-based team. Among those getting acclimatised to new machinery were Mike Browne from the Republic of Ireland, who has replaced the injured Jamie Coward in the KTS Racing team for the 1000cc races. James Hillier had first outing of the season on a closed public roads circuit after missing the recent North West 200 in Northern Ireland. Qualifying sessions are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday evenings, followed by an afternoon session on Friday, before the scheduled start of racing on Saturday.
Belfast Telegraph
10-05-2025
- Automotive
- Belfast Telegraph
Richard Cooper holds on for second win in dramatic three-way Supersport duel
Live | After ending his nine-year wait for a North West 200 victory on Thursday night by winning two races, can Ballymoney's Michael Dunlop add to his tally on Saturday's second day of racing on the north coast? He will face stiff opposition from Thursday's Superbike winner Davey Todd, while the likes of Richard Cooper, Dean Harrison, Peter Hickman, Ian Hutchinson and North West legend Alastair Seeley will be keen to knock the local rider off his perch. 6 minutes ago Superstock grid 1. Davey Todd (BMW) 2. Alastair Seeley (BMW) 3. Peter Hickman (BMW) 4. Dean Harrison (Honda) 5. Michael Dunlop (BMW) 6. Jamie Coward (BMW) 7. Mike Browne (BMW) 8. Paul Jordan (Honda) 15 minutes ago Supersports result 1. Richard Cooper 2. Dean Harrison +0.140 3. Michael Dunlop +0.154 4. Davey Todd +10.768 5. Peter Hickman +0.227 6. Alastair Seeley +0.194 7. Josh Brookes +0.283 8. Paul Jordan +0.340 9. Ian Hutchinson +10.937 10. Kevin Keyes +16.769 18 minutes ago Michael Dunlop, third place in the Supersports "It was a great race. Everyone was on the same run, it was hard to call that one. The two boys knew they weren't making the turn so let the brakes off. The two of them ran on but I made the chicane. They made a clear advantage. I ran on earlier (in the Superbike race) but didn't get an advantage from it. I'm not going to cry about it, what do you say about it unless the organisers look at it? It was great racing. It's always going to go to that last chicane." 19 minutes ago Dean Harrison, Supersport runner-up "I knew from the start of the race it was going to be difficult to be honest. "As soon as anyone passed me, I was straight back past them and I was constantly in the slipstream. You don't have a massive amount of speed advantage but there is a bit there. "The middle of the corner I felt I had (Richard Cooper) to be fair and then Michael tried to have a go at me at Metropole in the last lap and I chopped in the inside and we had a bit of a coming together and then me and Richard had a bit of a bash. It's good for everyone to see. "Not quite a win, but I'll take second in that race. Battling around like that around here, there is nothing like it." 23 minutes ago Richard Cooper, winner of the Supersport race "We all got through the chicane in one piece in my eyes. More races should be four laps, there's no rest. I'm only a part-time racer, when I do turn up I give it my best. "I just held on, there was no other option and I had to run straight. I managed to get out the other side and controlled myself, and it takes a brave man to pass someone at the last corner. I enjoy winning Supsersport races, but to do it in front of these fans is something special." 29 minutes ago RICHARD COOPER WINS! What a finish! Dean Harrison does indeed take a look into Juniper and appears to have the inside line... but Richard Cooper bounces over the grass and maintains his lead as he had nowhere else to go! That's enough for him to get across the line for the win! Michael Dunlop holds on for third. 30 minutes ago Metropole madness! Michael Dunlop thinks he has an overtake into Metropole but he doesn't... and instead Dean Harrison gets him into second! Can either catch Richard Cooper on the coast road? 31 minutes ago All change! Richard Cooper gets in ahead of Dean Harrison into University for the big overtake into first, and Michael Dunlop is up into second too! So much change on the leaderboard! 33 minutes ago End of lap 3 (of 4) 1. Dean Harrison 2. Richard Cooper +0.402 3. Michael Dunlop +0.140 Harrison gets back in front with one lap remaining, overtaking Cooper into Juniper, but Dunlop is lurking in behind! 34 minutes ago Todd fallen away It didn't look like he made a mistake anywhere but Davey Todd has lost a lot of ground to Michael Dunlop in third, so it's starting to look like a three-horse race now. 36 minutes ago Starting to see some separation As the leaders start to head back towards Portrush, there's now almost a second between the top two and Michael Dunlop in third, so it's increasingly looking like a battle for first and a battle for third. 38 minutes ago End of lap 2 (of 4) 1. Dean Harrison 2. Richard Cooper +0.454 3. Davey Todd +0.579 4. Michael Dunlop +0.199 Keep an eye on Peter Hickman, who is four seconds back of the top-four but is the fastest man on the circuit right now. 39 minutes ago Great pass Harrison Davey Todd has slipped back into third as Dean Harrison out-brakes him into Metropole and dives up the inside! Richard Cooper now leads the way up the coast road! 40 minutes ago Todd edges in front Davey Todd is up into first as the top-four all come within touching distance of each other but it's the Englishman who emerges at the top, followed by Richard Cooper, Dean Harrison and Michael Dunlop! 42 minutes ago End of lap 1 (of 4) 1. Dean Harrison 2. Richard Cooper +0.441 3. Davey Todd +0.236 4. Michael Dunlop +0.687 Harrison has worked his way back up into top spot as he caught Cooper into Metropole, with Paul Jordan just hanging onto the coat-tails of the top-four down in fifth. 44 minutes ago Two gone! I can't quite see who has gone but two riders flew through Mather's Cross and have had to stop in the stop-box! It looks like it was probably Alastair Seeley and Peter Hickman. Richard Cooper, Dean Harrison and Davey Todd are the top three. 47 minutes ago Todd hot off the line Davey Todd is the man first into the York hairpin, followed by Dean Harrison and Peter Hickman. The Englishman is superb off the start.
