Bentley Pushing Forward by Going Back to Its Roots

U.S.NewsPoliticsAI PoliticsTechFact CheckSportsGlobalIran WarRussia-UkraineMiddle EastChina And AsiaLive BlogBetter PlanetAll World NewsLifestyleFamily & ParentingEntertainmentTravelPetsAutomotiveRelationshipsScienceHealthPersonal FinanceBetter WorkplacesReaders ChoiceOpinionMy TurnAll OpinionRankingsHealthCorporate ResponsibilityFinanceProductsEducationWorkAll RankingsWatchThe 1600The Royal ReportUnconventionalFrom The PaddockNewsmakersSocialFacebookInstagramYouTubeRedditTikTokTwitter/XExtraNewslettersDare to DreamEventsEssaysPodcastsVantageInsightsMagazineCEO CircleAnnouncementsLeadershipDev Pragad Bentley Motors was born out of a desire to build and sell race cars. While that aspect of its lineage had taken a back seat in recent decades as the automaker focused on its comfortable luxury appeal, today Bentley is nosing back into the sporty car arena. “If you go back in the 90s, when the Bentley brand was reborn, it was all about sportiness, performance, better driving. That we take and we'll roll it out further,” Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, chairman and CEO of Bentley told Newsweek. Nearly one year ago, Bentley debuted Supersports, its performance-oriented take on the Continental GT. The two-seater, weighing less than two tons, is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine that delivers 657 brake horsepower for drivers to make good use of. Its development was kept secret using the codename “Mildred,” a name gleaned from Bentley’s past. Mildred Mary Petre was a record-breaking land, sea and air racer in the early 1900s with one of her records tied to Bentley cars. “It was a big risk to do such a car and to try something what we never did before, and to say, ‘This is this is our idea of how our cars could look like in the future,’” Walliser said. The risk paid off: Supersports sold out within eight weeks. “[There is] a lot of excitement by our customers on how they spec the cars. I've seen unbelievable specs and creativity in what the car looks like. [It is] really, really big fun to watch this and see the passion and the excitement shared by customers,” Walliser said. The company has also renewed its focus on Speed variants of its models. Following the introduction of coachbuilt Bacalar and Batur cars, the Continental GT Speed entered the market blending modern looks with a hybrid powertrain meant more for robust performance than fuel sipping. The Bentayga Speed debuted in June 2025 as the most dynamic version of that SUV yet. Bentayga was pushed further when the Bentayga X Concept was showcased as part of Bentley’s presence at the FAT Ice Race, offering spectators a glimpse at the off-road possibilities of Bentaygas of the future. This June, the latest-generation Flying Spur was revealed for the first time, complete with a driver-focused S variant that is 20% more powerful than any previous Flying Spur S ever produced. Torcal, Bentley’s all-electric SUV, was shown for the first time this autumn and comes complete with enough power and torque to move from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. At the same time, the automaker introduced new-to-it technologies that deliver a more sophisticated and stable driving experience for customers who wish to drive without the jolts that can come with such a performance-focused drive. The models are also part of a larger business attempt to survive in world where customers are battery-electric hesitant. “We will have a choice for our customers. Plug-in hybrids, that's the center. But we have the electric car on top, additional business, and we have Supersports that underlines how sporty Bentley is,” the boss explained. In addition to new cars, Bentley is pushing forward with new store design, fresh merchandise drops and the launch of a collectable magazine. The digitally focused new global retail concept will transform the showrooms of more than 220 retailers in over 60 markets, with an emphasis on personalization, a bar instead of a reception desk, and dedicated vehicle handover areas. Bentley’s new, limited-edition clothing and goods were sold at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monterey Car Week this year. The 1919 Collection was designed by the company’s External Creative Director Mai Ikuzawa. In late August, W.O. Magazine was launched with a weeklong celebration that saw Automat restaurant in London transformed into a Bentley Newsagent. The refocused magazine features the stories of Bentley enthusiasts….By Eileen Falkenberg-HullSenior Editor, Autos, Travel and Lifestyle

0ShareNewsweek is a Trust Project memberSee more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.Bentley Motors was born out of a desire to build and sell race cars. While that aspect of its lineage had taken a back seat in recent decades as the automaker focused on its comfortable luxury appeal, today Bentley is nosing back into the sporty car arena.

“If you go back in the 90s, when the Bentley brand was reborn, it was all about sportiness, performance, better driving. That we take and we’ll roll it out further,” Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, chairman and CEO of Bentley told Newsweek.

Nearly one year ago, Bentley debuted Supersports, its performance-oriented take on the Continental GT. The two-seater, weighing less than two tons, is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 engine that delivers 657 brake horsepower for drivers to make good use of.

Its development was kept secret using the codename “Mildred,” a name gleaned from Bentley’s past. Mildred Mary Petre was a record-breaking land, sea and air racer in the early 1900s with one of her records tied to Bentley cars.

“It was a big risk to do such a car and to try something what we never did before, and to say, ‘This is this is our idea of how our cars could look like in the future,’” Walliser said.

The risk paid off: Supersports sold out within eight weeks.

“[There is] a lot of excitement by our customers on how they spec the cars. I’ve seen unbelievable specs and creativity in what the car looks like. [It is] really, really big fun to watch this and see the passion and the excitement shared by customers,” Walliser said.

The company has also renewed its focus on Speed variants of its models. Following the introduction of coachbuilt Bacalar and Batur cars, the Continental GT Speed entered the market blending modern looks with a hybrid powertrain meant more for robust performance than fuel sipping.

The Bentayga Speed debuted in June 2025 as the most dynamic version of that SUV yet. Bentayga was pushed further when the Bentayga X Concept was showcased as part of Bentley’s presence at the FAT Ice Race, offering spectators a glimpse at the off-road possibilities of Bentaygas of the future.

This June, the latest-generation Flying Spur was revealed for the first time, complete with a driver-focused S variant that is 20% more powerful than any previous Flying Spur S ever produced.

Torcal, Bentley’s all-electric SUV, was shown for the first time this autumn and comes complete with enough power and torque to move from 0-60 mph in 2.8 seconds. At the same time, the automaker introduced new-to-it technologies that deliver a more sophisticated and stable driving experience for customers who wish to drive without the jolts that can come with such a performance-focused drive.

The models are also part of a larger business attempt to survive in world where customers are battery-electric hesitant. “We will have a choice for our customers. Plug-in hybrids, that’s the center. But we have the electric car on top, additional business, and we have Supersports that underlines how sporty Bentley is,” the boss explained.

In addition to new cars, Bentley is pushing forward with new store design, fresh merchandise drops and the launch of a collectable magazine.

The digitally focused new global retail concept will transform the showrooms of more than 220 retailers in over 60 markets, with an emphasis on personalization, a bar instead of a reception desk, and dedicated vehicle handover areas.

Bentley’s new, limited-edition clothing and goods were sold at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and Monterey Car Week this year. The 1919 Collection was designed by the company’s External Creative Director Mai Ikuzawa.

In late August, W.O. Magazine was launched with a weeklong celebration that saw Automat restaurant in London transformed into a Bentley Newsagent. The refocused magazine features the stories of Bentley enthusiasts.