Bentley Continental Supersports ISR Convertible : First Look

Jay Williams - 02/March/2011

Cheshire, United Kingdom - In celebration of Bentley's new world ice speed record, Bentley has announced that it will release a Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ convertible.

This new model, limited to just 100 cars worldwide, is a celebration of the Company’s world ice speed record set two weeks ago by Finland’s four-time world rally champion Juha Kankkunen in a Bentley Continental Supersports convertible.

Powering the car is a 6-litre, twin turbo-charged W12 engine, producing 471kW of power and 800Nm of torque. Paired with a Quickshift six-speed automatic transmission, the convertible ‘Ice Speed Record’ model can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.0 seconds.

The additional engine power of the new convertible is the result of fine tuning of the engine to optimise the benefits of the new free-breathing air intake ducts, intercooler system and the exhaust system.

In common with its Continental siblings, the new Supersports model runs on both petrol (gasoline) or E85 bio-ethanol or any combination of the two. Pioneered in 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 on-board fuel supply system monitors the content of the fuel tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel.

The all-wheel drive system provides outstanding traction in all weather conditions. The drive is transferred between the front and rear axles automatically via a Torsen centre differential. The standard 40 front/60 rear torque split provides optimum traction by ’throttle steering’ for more enthusiastic drivers.

The new exhaust system with reduced back pressure provides better air flow while delivering a sporty note under hard acceleration. On light throttle cruising, the new Supersports model remains impressively refined.

Large diameter (420 mm front, 356 mm rear), carbon ceramic brake discs, with eight-piston calipers at the front provide fade-resistant stopping power. This lightweight system also reduces unsprung and rotating mass, benefiting steering response and handling. As with all Supersports models the ‘Ice Speed Record’ is fitted as standard with 20” inch, 10-spoke Supersports wheels with a dark tint finish and wrapped in 275/35ZR20 Pirelli ultra high performance tyres.

The Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’ convertible will come in a choice of three exterior paint colours - Beluga, Quartzite and 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.

Stepping inside, the interior boasts leather upholstery, diamond-quilted Alcantara to doors, quarter panels and seat facings, and ‘soft-grip’ leather on the steering wheel and gear lever. Meanwhile, the dashboard and centre console is finished in a high-gloss carbon fibre.

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

As far as tech goes the Supersports ‘Ice Speed Record’features a 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 is yet to confirm pricing and availability.

Related Links:
- Bentley Continental GT Coupe (2010)
- Bentley Continental GT Speed (2008)
- Bentley Arnage T (2007)
- Bentley Continental GTC (2007)
- Bentley Azure (2006)
- Bentley Arnage Drophead Coupe (2006)
- Bentley Continental Flying Spur (2005)
- Bentley Arnage Limousine (2005)
- Bentley Speed 8 (Racecar)