Bentley Debuts E85-Capable Continental Supersports

Bentley unveiled a new vehicle today, the Continental Supersports, that is the automaker’s first step toward developing an entire trim range of biofuel vehicles.

The Supersports is essentially a Continental GT, but with one important addition; it’s E85 capable. This is a big deal for Bentley, which is trying to burnish its environmental image; its models are some of the worst gas-guzzlers on the market.

The Supersports packs an ethanol-capable twin-turbocharged W-12 that produces 621 hp, making the coupe the fastest, most powerful Bentley ever.

That powertrain pushes 4,939 pounds of car from 0-60 mph in just 3.7 seconds. When it’s time to stop, Bentley says the standard ceramic brakes are the largest, most powerful ones ever fitted to a production vehicle.

To further prove the Supersports’ environmental case, Bentley put the model on a diet, using lightweight suspension and wheel components that help it weigh 243 fewer pounds than the Continental GT.

Estimated U.S. fuel economy when running on gasoline is 13/24 mpg city/highway – not great, but better than any other Bentley on the market.

Distinguishing exterior features include a darkened finish on the front grille, lamp bezels and wheels. New lightweight front seats are upholstered in diamond-quilted Alcantara synthetic suede.

The Bentley Continental Supersports goes on sale globally this fall. The U.S. version won’t be E85-capable at first but, pending full certification, the biofuel version will come to the U.S. in the summer of 2010. After that, Bentley expects all its vehicles to have a biofuel version by no later than 2012.