so cool! Bentley Continental Supersport ISR

From 1924 to 1930, the car manufacturer Bentley won 5 of the 7 races of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In the early racing dynasty, the company was sold to Rolls-Royce from W.O. Bentley at the beginning. Under the rule of this super-luxury automaker, Bentley’s involvement in motorsports was immediately reduced because Rolls-Royce was more focused on keeping the brands it acquired as low-end models. Since Volkswagen took over the ultra-luxury Bentley brand, the British brand has been reminding the world that their company once represented high-performance cars. In 2002, Volkswagen loaned Bentley the tried-and-tested powertrain from the Audi R8 race car to build the EXP Speed 8 prototype sports car. For the first time in 73 years, Bentley regained the championship in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, which allowed the luxury car brand to recombine with the greatness of motorsports.

Completely reshaping their luxury car line-up for the streets, the lead performance example of the new Bentley was the Continental GT introduced in 2003. Continuing on Bentley’s newly-re-established thirst for competition, finding previously unobtainable speeds on the frozen Baltic Sea off the coast of Finland proved too tempting for a Continental GT in 2007. Setting a world ice speed record at 199.83 miles per hour that year, Bentley returned aspiring to break their own benchmark in early winter of this year. Recruiting the skills of multiple time world rally car champion Juha Kankkunen, the 2011 edition of the ice speed record was undertaken by a specially modified Bentley Continental Supersport Convertible. Storming to new 205.48 miles per hour record, Bentley has introduced their grand celebration of their accomplishment.

The limited edition Bentley Continental Supersport Convertible ISR (Ice Speed Record) lives up to the pre-release boasting Bentley Chairman Wolfgang Durheimer uttered shortly after the successful world record attempt. Set apart from other Continental Supersport models, the Convertible ISR version body shell will be coated with one of three exclusive paint shades. These colours have been selected by Bentley to work handsomely with a Dark Grey Metallic soft-top roof. 20-inch Supersport wheels are included within Pirelli ultra high performance tires.

For some shocking attitude, ISR Mulliner design package provides an intense red exterior detail. A no charge option buyers of this Bentley Continental Supersport Convertible, “Supersport ISR” graphics along the lower door similar in style to treatment exercised on top performance versions of Porsche sports cars. The appearance package also adds red detailing on the 10-spoke wheels giving the Bentley Continental Supersport Convertible ISR more definition from its stablemates. For customers, the Bentley exterior touches of the Mulliner design package is the perfect way to individualize at the country club or millionaire gatherings as part of the wealthy elite while still casting a fun, reckless personality.

In line with every Bentley, some of the best craftsmanship in the auto industry would surround drivers and passengers inside the Continental Supersport Convertible ISR edition. Leather hide seats for four as well as diamond-quilted Alcantara door panels and seat facings are high-grade premium touches the Ice Speed Record Continental Supersport uses to flatter occupants. A distinct red accent adorns the seats, doors, steering wheel along with the precision movement Breitling clock in the dashboard. Carbon fiber trim is also added to the Bentley Continental Supersport Convertible ISR interior given a charming red hue. An 8-inch touchscreen navigated infotainment system is coupled with DVD player and a 30-gigabyte on-board hard drive.

More than simply a well-optioned appearance package to commemorate a feat of a speed record-setting car, Bentley has placed the same performance-based engineering in prepping the street-going Bentley Continental Supersport Convertible ISR. Providing all-wheel drive propulsion, the Continental Supersport Convertible ISR launches are equally as controlled as stopping. Eight-piston brake calipers press down on carbon-ceramic brake discs. High performing, the Bentley’s braking package is also lightweight.

Powered by a 6-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 engine, the Bentley Continental Supersport Convertible ISR delivers the British brand to new heights in performance. Generating 631 horsepower and 590 pounds-feet of torque, revised air ducts, turbo intercooler and exhaust is found on-board this most powerful Bentley. A 10 horsepower jump from the standard Continental Supersport, the added output compliments this ISR as a total high-performance package. Like other Bentley products, the 6-liter W12 is Flexfuel capable for E85 fuel blends.

Through Bentley’s Quickshift 6-speed automatic transmission, the Continental Supersport Convertible ISR’s combination of 631 horsepower and all-wheel drive pushes from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3.8 seconds. This equates to an improvement of 0.4 seconds compared to a standard convertible version of the Continental Supersport. Deeper in the power range, the run to 100 miles per hour takes a total of 9.5 seconds. Top speed was no announced for the ISR edition but expect at least 202 miles per hour.

As a limited number of only 100 Bentley Continental Supersport Convertible ISR editions prepare to be dispatched to celebrate their feat, this honour has already been eclipsed. An Audi RS6, a fellow Volkswagen product, overtook the Bentley Continental Supersport’s record. This could be viewed as payback for Audi’s overall winning streak at Le Mans being broken due to VW Group’s dedication to the Bentley EXP Speed 8. While an Audi stole the speed record, the Bentley Continental Supersport ISR enthusiastically heats up the soul of British luxury brand.

Source of information and pictures: Bentley Motors