| First Drive | Telluride, Colorado, USA | Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible |

Lighter, faster and sharper than any GTC before it, Bentley's Supersports tweaking has been applied to the drop-top Continental. In doing so Bentley has created a very enticing - if expensive - way to enjoy the sun. All the way to 200mph and beyond. We drive it in the speed-restricted USA...

In the Metal

Sharing its wider track and hunkered down stance with the Supersports coupé, the more muscular details arguably look more overt on the Convertible. The flatter rear deck and lack of the fastback tailgate accentuate the flaring of the rear wings. Wider tailpipes and a small boot lid spoiler add to the effect, while up front the Supersports gains deeper, satin-black grilled air intakes to feed air its more powerful engine. It's confident rather than confrontational; more gentlemanly sporting duelling pistols than rocking up to rumble with an AK-47.

Inside, it's a hand-crafted wonder of quilted Alcantara, contrasting stitching and carbon-fibre loveliness. Only the satnav jars, with etch-a-sketch graphics rather unbecoming in something costing so much.

What you get for your Money

You're paying for six hundred and twenty one bhp. We could stop there. But the thing is, the Supersports Convertible isn't cheap; in fact you could argue its £178,000 sticker price is in the realms of the preposterous. That price just a starting point too; if you want the satin-finish paint and top-spec audio then you're looking at over £200,000. Expensive extras are also featured in its rivals though, and the Supersports' standard kit levels actually look pretty decent. Leather, Alcantara and chrome cover virtually everything, while lightweight wheels and massive carbon-silicon-carbide brake discs with eight-piston callipers up front are standard.

Driving it

The Supersports coupé demonstrated that Bentley has gone a bit further than merely upping the boost of the 6.0-litre W12's two turbos to release some more grunt. There's a weight saving of 90kg, thanks largely to the adoption of a pair of lightweight - and manually adjusted - carbon-fibre backed sports seats. Other significant reductions have been made in terms of unsprung mass, with the Supersports' alloy wheels saving 2.5kg a corner. The result is a car that rides with remarkable suppleness despite a drop in ride height and stiffer anti-roll bar, spring and damper rates.

The steering feels more alert, quicker and more feelsome too; the Supersports changes increase the focus and driver appeal without compromising the Bentley's inherent qualities as an easy to drive, hugely capable GT car. The engine is mighty, with the most important figure being the 590lb.ft of torque that's available from around 2,000- to 5,500rpm. Combined with a smooth six-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive, the Supersports can use its ample grunt with impunity.

With its mixed brief it's never going to offer the precision of true sports cars in the class, but it runs them very close indeed. Recalibrated stability control, a four-wheel drive system that directs its power 40/60 front/rear and its remarkable suspension control combine with the engine's plentiful power to create a crushingly fast car. Sixty-two mph arrives in 4.1 seconds from rest and it'll reach 202mph. Despite the savage figures the Supersports never feels unruly - only the ripping exhaust note and elastic acceleration driving home the Supersports' mighty abilities.

If there's a weak link in the Supersports' arsenal it's those huge brakes. They need a good prod to haul the Bentley down from its effortlessly attained velocities. The gearbox too, which for the most part shifts seamlessly, can be caught out with a clumsy downshift when trickling along. Those aside the Supersports' rare blend of loony pace, composure and comfort mix to create a rather unique proposition among its rivals. It won't be for everyone, but those who do fall for it will do so hard.

Worth Noting

The Supersports Convertible can run on E85 bio-fuel. Bentley applies a wheel-to-well calculation to demonstrate that 621bhp can be (relatively) environmentally responsible. Forget all that we say; plant a wood of big trees at your country pad to soak up the CO₂, fill it up with super unleaded and drive it completely guilt free.

Summary

Bentley's GT range has always been a bit one-dimensional, with its evident pace not backed up with finesse and control to really enjoy it to the full. The Supersports changes that, adding a layer of driver appeal and adding more power to boot. And we can't argue with that.