A Radical New Look
Mulliner, Bentley's in-house customization arm, has unveiled a dramatic new styling package for the formidable Continental GT Supersports, aptly named 'Design Theme by Mulliner'. Set for a public debut at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, this package isn't
just a new set of wheels or a fresh coat of paint; it's a fundamental shift in aesthetic aggression. For the first time on any production Bentley, Mulliner has introduced an asymmetrical, side-to-side paint fade. A bright, bold colour defines the driver's side of the car before blending across the bonnet and roof into a darker, more subtle tone on the passenger side. This unconventional approach is deliberately designed to visually emphasise the driver-focused nature of the Supersports, making a clear statement about its performance intentions.
Three Distinct Personalities
To bring this bold concept to life, Mulliner has curated three distinctive specifications, each with its own character. The 'Dragon' theme is the most dramatic, pairing a Dragon Red that fades into Black Crystal with a striking Hotspur and Beluga interior. The 'Electric' theme offers a vibrant look, blending Electric Blue into Dark Sapphire on the exterior, with a cabin featuring Klein Blue and Imperial Blue. For a more contemporary and understated option, the 'Brodgar' theme uses a Pale Brodgar that fades into a darker Brodgar, complemented by a refined Camel and Beluga interior. These themes are more than just colour pairings; they are holistic design concepts that extend from the exterior pinstriping to the intricate details inside the cabin.
A Cockpit Built for One
The driver-centric philosophy of the exterior paintwork continues inside. The Supersports is a strict two-seater, and the Mulliner Design Theme visually divides the cabin. The brighter accent colour from the exterior surrounds the driver's seat, gear lever, and half of the steering wheel, creating a distinct cockpit environment. The passenger side is finished in the darker, more subdued tone. This two-tone layout, combined with unique Supersports perforation patterns on the seats and contrast stitching, reinforces the car's singular focus on the driving experience. Finishing exterior details, like a number '8' painted on the front grille and accent pinstripes on the carbon fibre aero elements, complete the motorsport-inspired look.
Performance to Match the Promise
Beneath the bold new styling, the Bentley Supersports is the most driver-focused Continental GT ever produced, with production limited to just 500 examples worldwide. It ditches the hybrid systems and all-wheel drive of its siblings for a purer, rear-wheel-drive layout powered exclusively by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine. This powerplant produces 657 horsepower, propelling the car from 0-100 km/h in under four seconds. Significant weight reduction, including a carbon fibre roof and extensive use of carbon body panels, brings the car's weight down to under 2,000 kg. A titanium Akrapovič sports exhaust provides a suitably aggressive soundtrack, while standard carbon ceramic brakes ensure immense stopping power.
The Mulliner Effect
This new design direction is a powerful demonstration of Mulliner's evolving role within Bentley. Once a historic coachbuilder, Mulliner now acts as Bentley's personal commissioning division, a creative laboratory where new ideas, materials, and design concepts can be tested on a small scale before potentially influencing mainstream models. This 'Design Theme' shows Mulliner pushing the boundaries of what a Bentley can be, moving beyond traditional elegance into a more expressive and modern territory. While this specific treatment is exclusive to the Supersports, it signals a willingness to embrace bolder aesthetics as Bentley heads towards its all-electric future, previewed by other Mulliner creations like the Batur.
