Skip to main content

A Glorious Hundred Years

Page 1

PRISM ISSUE • N° 47 • 2026

SODIP srl con

IA LAB SRL

PLATINUM MED

THE ONE

na :

Numero Coperti Sottotitolo : Periodicità :

0047

IGN YACHT & DES 6 € 15, 00 n° 47 - 202 TRIMESTRALE ISM ISS UE PR

13,50 Chf 15,00, UK £ ationa l € 15,00, - 70% - LO/MI 25/07/ 2026 Intern amento Postale QUART ERLY - P.I. Spedizione in Abbon Poste Italiane S.p.a.

"!z![!/

y(7HC6B2*KNPKKS( +.!

AC E . .

rs y what owne ort and a close

unico socio

47

BAGLIETTO 41M M/Y ANDALA

acquisition Available for g 2028 Delivery sprin .nl hip ds fea o@ inf


[ The CAR ]

A GLORIOUS HUNDRED YEARS A century ago, a powerful car entered automotive legend, together with a name destined to become a part of the story of Bentley, the brand that created it. The nameplate returns today, adorning a vehicle that’s more dynamic than ever – the new Supersports by Diego Tamone - ph. courtesy by Bentley

92


93


[ The CAR ]

A

hundred years ago it was written differently, but it meant exactly what it does now. In 1925 Bentley celebrated the first model to exceed the then-incredible speed of 100 mph, powered by a 3-litre engine mounted on a short chassis, manufactured only six years after the company

was founded, with a name that was to remain one of the brand’s hallmarks – Super Sports. More than a badge, it’s a title, an award. Such a powerful, evocative nameplate that the brand, based in the town of Crewe in the UK, used it no more than twice in the years that followed. However, when in 2024 the company had the idea of creating a Continental GT with rear-wheel drive but weighing less than two tonnes, specifications that make it, on paper and on the road, truly exceptional, the choice of nameplate seemed inevitable – but now just one word, as it had become in 2009 - Supersports. Its development has proceeded under a cloak of secrecy for almost two years in the form of an undercover project called Mildred. This was another respectful nod to the brand’s history, celebrating Mildred Mary Petre, who in the 1920s drove a Bentley 4½ litre solo on France’s Montlhéry circuit for 24 hours at an average speed of 90 mph. As well as being a superlative driver, this phenomenal woman was also a speedboat racer and flyer. In late 2025 the project took shape in the form of the new Supersports, produced in a limited edition of 500 examples. The official date for the start of production is in the second half of this year. Bentley has avoided the current trend of adopting hybrid or full-electric drive, opting instead to remain true to tradition by powering the Supersports with a powerful internal combustion engine, a 4-litre V8 generating 666 hp and 800 Nm of torque. This hefty unit is linked

94

To side, the new Supersports, the sportiest Bentley yet. Below, from left, the muscular rear with widened wheel arch. Great attention has been paid to the aerodynamics, as shown by the front of the car, right, with the largest splitter ever mounted on a Bentley


95


[ The CAR ]

The embracing cabin designed for just two people. Below, from left, the dashboard with starter button and the sports-style seats

to a ZF double-clutch 8-gear transmission gearbox that’s designed to

you see has a purpose, nothing is there simply for show. The front fenders,

take this Bentley from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds and provide a

engine air intakes and front brakes integrate with the largest splitter ever

top speed of 310 km/h. However, even this breathtaking performance

mounted on a Bentley, which together with the rear spoiler provide a

is overshadowed by the handling and driving experience offered by the

downforce of over 300 kg more than the already impressive Continental

Supersports, which proves to be the most extreme Bentley model ever –

GT Speed. The choice of a carbon fibre roof has a enabled a lower centre

everything is designed to enhance performance, from the car’s mechanics

of gravity. Only two seats in the interior – the only possible configuration

to its spectacular aesthetics. Form follows function, in fact. Everything

for a sports car like this! bentleymotors.com

96


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
A Glorious Hundred Years by Platinum Media Lab - Issuu