Bentley’s Geneva show star, the Continental Supersports, is the Volkswagen-owned brand’s fastest and most powerful car and also its first flexfuel model.
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“This represents stage one of the company’s commitment to make its complete model range compatible with renewable fuels by 2012,” Bentley said.
The car will be sold worldwide from next autumn and flexfuel-compatible in the majority of markets from launch. North American models should be flexfuel-ready by summer 2010, following regulatory approval.
The car is capable of running on either petrol and E85 biofuel or any combination of the two. E85 biofuel can offer a reduction of up to 70% in CO2 emissions on a ‘well-to-wheel’ basis, according to Bentley.
The fuel supply system detects the blending ratio of the fuel in the tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel.
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By GlobalDataAt Geneva last year, Bentley announced a programme to reduce CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy across its model range.
It said bioethanol presents unique engineering challenges compared with petrol, due to its chemical composition and characteristics. E85 has a very high octane rating of 105 but a lower energy content that requires a 30% increase in the engine fuel flow rate.
This necessitated a complete review of the fuel system to identify, and if required replace, components deemed to be insufficiently resistant to the corrosive properties of ethanol.
For the fuel system all O-rings, seals, gaskets and pipes are new. In addition, increased fuel flow is achieved through a returnless fuel system and twin variable flow fuel pumps for the engine. Bioethanol also required new valve coatings and hardened valve seat material for additional lubrication, a new closed-loop fuel rail design with pressure sensor for higher fuel flow rates and new spark plugs with a wider heat range for slower combustion.
Development began as an ‘under the radar’ project exploring reducing the weight of the Continental GT and boosting power and torque. The result, after gaining management approval, was a 630PS (621bhp) W12 engine and new six-speed ZF ‘Quickshift’ transmission that halves shift times. The Supersports accelerates from 0-60mph in 3.7 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.9 seconds) and has a top speed of 204mph (329km/h).
Chassis enhancements including retuned steering and suspension, utilising lighter weight components, retuned dampers and anti-roll bars, a 40:60 rear-biased torque split for the all-wheel drive system, a wider rear track, custom light weight 20-inch alloy wheels and a unique electronic stability programme. Carbon ceramic brakes are standard. Overall weight reduction was 110kg (243lb) compared with the Continental GT Speed. Detail styling changes have also been made – the nose, for example, needed reshaping to admit more cooling air.
A new physical vapour deposition process is applied to all stainless steel components to give a lustrous and highly durable finish. A car industry first, this process is normally used as a coating on industrial tools, watches and even hip replacement joints.
The car is a two seater with new light weight sports seats with carbon fibre clamshell rear panels. In the rear compartment, the seats are replaced by a stowage deck with a carbon fibre luggage retaining beam. Leather trim is standard but carbon fibre panels replace traditional wood veneers.
