For Car Aficionados
My new car is off the ship, through customs, and at the dealer. It is 621 HP, 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. Here is Bentley’s writeup:
The Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible further strengthens Bentley’s supercar range, following the introduction of the Bentley Continental Supersports Coupé in 2009. The new Supersports Convertible, with the same 630PS (621bhp/463kW) twin-turbocharged W12 engine, is the fastest, most potent drop-top Bentley has ever built, offering the ultimate Bentley driving experience in the world’s most dramatic convertible.
The inspiration for the ‘Supersports’ name is the 1925 Bentley Supersports, a race-bred version of the iconic Bentley 3-litre, that delivered 85bhp when more ordinary cars were equipped with a modest 15bhp. It was also the first production car to reach 100mph – extreme performance in its day.
The new, muscular four-seat Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible is unmistakably Bentley in its design and craftsmanship but its interior signifies a dramatic re-interpretation of Bentley luxury. Satin-finished carbon fibre, Alcantara™ and ‘Soft Grip’ leather create a unique ambience with a distinctly sporting and contemporary style.
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.
Chris Patterson
3.7?!!! WOW. Congrats Mr. Weiss.
Graham Franklin
My congratulations Alan. I hope one day with your guidance to be able to trade in my Turbo R for one of these beauties.
Alan Weiss
I’m hoping to take it for a spin on Monday before flying out on Tuesday.
Mark Cioni
Congratulations and well-deserved. Is the color Havana or something other, I’m not sure I’m picking it up accurately from the photos.
Enjoy!
Davey Moyers
A beautiful and RARE piece of automotive art. I saw one once…the Concours d’ elegance in Amelia in March. It was love at first sight! I’m not sure I could maintain my driving license in “good standing” with the State of Florida given half a chance to put her through her paces. Truly the finest of motoring conveyance. I’m sure you’ll have FUN and come home from each driving “experience” with a huge smile on your face.
Alan Weiss
When I test drove one, the acceleration always had to be considered. It’s like a jet fighter at the beginning of the runway yet, counterintuitively, you’re surrounded in opulence.
Pat Tith
Will the ride in this new car be different from the rides I had in the other two?
Alan Weiss
It is a somewhat different ride, except if you’re simply cruising at speed.
Wayne Botha
Thank you for sharing the experience and specs of this dream machine. I was intrigued reading about the W12 engine, because I don’t recall seeing a W style engine before. An internet search revealed a photo. (It can be found by searching for “so this is what a W12 looks like on the inside.” Fascinating engineering.
Alan Weiss
All four of my Bentleys have had a dual, turbo-charged 12 cylinder engine. The car is about 2.5 tons, so you need a power plant like that, one of the most powerful in any production car in the world. My coupe and first convertible were 552 HP, the second convertible 602 HP, and this new one 621 HP. Those cars increased from 0-60 in 4.7 to 4.4 to 3.7. All of them had four-wheel drive. My wife kept the first convertible, which we use in the snow, since it has less torque than mine!