Bentley Conti SS convertible: driven

Just arrived in Denver in the US in preparation for the Bentley SuperSports Convertible launch. Quite a long way from the UK for Bentley to launch a car, but the weather is probably necessary to premiere Bentley's fastest, most hardcore drop top. I mean it: this is a rug-top that hits 202mph and gets to 62mph in just 4.1 seconds - even though the Convertible droops the scales at a not-inconsiderable 2395kg.

That 621bhp motor is pretty epic though: 590lb ft, biturbo, 6.0-litre. Bentley reckon that the Convertible will do just under 17mpg on the combined cycle. Any guesses to what might be achievable on test in the mountains?

Citrus yellow? Looks great here. But in rainy UK?

So, the Bentley SuperSports convertible, our first impressions. Well, have to say that seeing them all lined up outside was brilliant. Think the car looks subtly more aggressive than the Speed (I like the vertical intercooler feeds on the front), and Bentley really had some balls with the colour choice: out here in the relentless sunshine they look stunning. It's a design that's getting on a bit, but have to say that I still really like it. Neat, handsome, bit flash.

The good vibes are there on the interior as well. It feels special. Our ‘King James' red car even has a red boot carpet, red dash, etc. Like driving a blood clot. But the carbon dash fits well, and the seats are thin and carbon-backed. Also think the rear seats are appropriate in the Convertible. Having chopped the roof off, using the brace bar from the Coupe would have looked faintly ridiculous.

Driving, it's pretty much as you'd expect: tad nibbly at low speed, looks after you going fast, decent six-speed auto, slight shimmy on rough roads. Though I did think that it might feel a tad more aggressive. It's quick, but not neck-snapping. Though that could be something to do with the altitude here in Colorado - we have about 40 per cent less oxygen. Went for a jog earlier and nearly coughed up a lung. 

The roads suit the car, that's for sure. Long, fast, smooth. Though the American speed limits are a tad frustrating for a car this quick. And it makes more sense the faster you go. Again, this is an immensely capable car, but it's not the most exciting. 

Conclusion? We like this. It does what it sets out to do, which is be a very, very fast, slightly flash, four-seat convertible. It's expensive and not the driver's tool you might want - but then look at the kind of car you're buying and realise that the SS Convertible covers lots of the bases in the sector. A good effort from Bentley. Just make sure you have it in one of the £20k option ‘satin' colours.