The Formidable Bentley Continental Supersports ISR

February 2011 Finnish motorsport legend Juha Kankkunen drove across the perilous frozen Baltic Sea off the coast of Finland, in the all-wheel drive bio-fuel powered 6-litre 12 cylinder Bentley Continental Supersports convertible. He achieved an average speed of 205.48 mph, thus, Bentley set the World Ice Speed Record. The Continental Supersports is the world’s fastest car on ice. Bentley engineers and professional drivers have used Finland’s extreme conditions to enhance the safety & handling capabilities for all of their cars.

The Bentley Continental Supersports with the Mulliner ISR package debuted at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. Bentley’s new CEO, Wolfgang Duerheimer said: “Juha Kankkunen’s drive was a remarkable achievement and worthy of a very special car. The Continental Supersports Ice Speed Record is a true driver’s car that captures the unique Bentley spirit. It offers extreme performance, agility, and an extrovert personality while retaining the refinement, handcrafted luxury and comfort our clients expect.” Only 100 units were produced to commemorate Bentley’s World Ice Speed Record.

The 6-litre12 cylinder Continental Supersports runs on either gasoline or E85 bio-ethanol, or any combination of the two. The Flex-fuel technology offers a reduction of up to 70% C02 emissions. An on board fuel supply system monitors the content of the fuel tank ensuring power and torque are unaffected regardless of the ratio of gas to bio-fuel. This alloy W12 engine produces 631 bhp and is Bentley’s most powerful ever. Paired with a Quickshift automatic six speed transmission, the ISR moves from 0-60 in 3.8 seconds, and from a standing start, reach 100 mph in just 9.5 seconds.

The extra power is enhanced by special tuning to the engine and the combination of the new free breathing air ducts, intercooler system, and the baritone tuned exhaust system. Being true to the Bentley power tradition, this convertible can sprint from 50-75 mph in a mere 2.5 seconds. Massive 20 inch wheels with 402mm carbon ceramic front disc brakes with eight piston calipers reduce the car’s unsprung weight as well as providing extra stopping power for the increase in power.

The Continental Supersports convertible is available in three colors; Beluga, Quartzite, and Arctica White. All three colors sport a Dark Grey Metallic soft top constructed in layers, the outer layer is grey acrylic fibre with a semi-transparent metallic look in twill weave construction.

The ISR Mulliner package includes a vivid ‘Supersports ISR’ graphic tattooed onto the lower body sides. The bonnet grilles and aluminium wheels have red accents to compliment the luxuriously sporty cabin.

The leather interior uses diamond tufted Alcantara to doors, quarter panels and seat facings. Soft grip leather steering wheel and gear lever, high gloss carbon fibre fascia and console with unique red weave, compliment the Pillar Box Red seat piping & door trim.

Contrasting Pillar Box Red stitching to seats, door casings, steering wheel and gear shift paddles makes a truly unique statement. Floor mats have a hand embroidered ‘Supersports” logo. Breitling dash clock with red accents and other gorgeous glass dials with polished glass faces are just a few of the car’s distinguishing cabin features. This Bentley is as luxurious as it is sporty.

The Continental Supersports ISR has a highly advanced touch screen 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 & comfort settings, as well as navigation systems that use both an in-car hard disc drive and a DVD Player to access route data. It is Google Maps-compatible. It also uses dynamic navigation to avoid heavy traffic spots using geo-tagged photos from an SD memory card. “Big Ben” works hard to keep one content.

The Bentley Continental Supersports ISR is the most radically styled Bentley ever. This is the fastest car in the world on ice, as well as being the most powerful Bentley ever. It is the beginning of the new adventures of Bentley. As they enter the second hundred years, with a completely new attitude, fresh design, contemporary electronics and engineering, the new Bentley is  true to its illustrious heritage. A car that “The Bentley Boys” would be truly proud to drive.