Bentley Continental Supersports to Cost $273,295

The 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports goes on sale in the US at a price of US$273,295 which includes a US$2,595 destination charge, a US$3,700 federal gas-guzzler tax penalty and US$16,500 carbon-ceramic brakes that are optional on other Continental models. While it is notably dearer on the pocket than the $203,600 Continental GT Speed, it justifies the price tag by being the most powerful road Bentley ever built.

Fitted with a 6.0-litre twin turbo W12 engine the lightweight Supersports produces a brawny 621hp (463kW) and torque of 800Nm. It runs either on regular unleaded petrol or E85 biofuel. Naught to 60mph is done in 3.7 seconds, top speed is 329 km/h (204 mph) and Bentley indicates an average fuel consumption figure of 17.3mpg UK (16.3 litres/100km). Although the car will begin selling this October, flex-fuel capabilities only arrive in North America in the summer of 2010.

The Supersports is Bentley's first attempt at cleaning up while continuing to offer customers expected levels of performance and luxury. To that end the coupe is available with a carbon fiber fascia, diamond quilted Alcantara sports seats and an optional 15-speaker Bentley sound system among other things.

Fellow motorists will spot it by its new front bumper with bigger air intake grilles, dual bonnet vents, 20-inch wheels wrapped in 275/35 ZR20 Pirelli Ultra High Performance tyres, a new rear bumper and a retractable rear spoiler.