Today in Cars: Bentley Goes Pure, Honda Revives a Name, and Genesis Hints at Rolls-Royce Drama
Some days the industry tiptoes forward; today it kicked the door in. We’ve got a driver-first Bentley with the numbers to back it up, a revived Honda Prelude that feels more slow-burn than scorched-earth, rumblings of a Ford F-150 Lightning sequel, and a Genesis flagship SUV prepping coach doors like a clandestine soirée at Goodwood. Sprinkle in Cupra’s seat-delete hatch, a wicked Beetle build, and some corporate chess from Lexus and Vauxhall, and you’ve got a proper Friday blend.
Bentley Continental GT Supersports: Rear-Drive, 657 HP, and Fewer Apologies
I’ve hustled many a Continental GT over B-roads that look like creased linen. They’re devastatingly fast, impeccably damped … and a bit aloof in standard guise. This new Supersports reads like Bentley’s answer to that: rear-wheel drive, a serious diet, and 657 hp according to multiple outlets. The message is clear—more feel, less filter.
- Rear-wheel drive for purists (no safety net of AWD here)
- Quoted at 657 hp, with a lighter, stripped-back ethos
- Aggressive aero, big brakes, and likely the firmest chassis tune in the range
- Cabin retains Bentley richness but pares back fluff—think purpose over pomp
On the road, losing driven front wheels usually brings you that delicious steering sparkle—the front end breathes more, loads more, talks more. If it delivers what the brief promises, this will be the first modern Conti that genuinely prefers a driver who gets up on their toes. Bring heat in, balance on throttle, trim the line with the smallest inputs. That’s not Marketing; that’s physics.
Supersports vs. Standard Continental GT (Quick Take)
| Model | Driven Wheels | Power | Mission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Continental GT Supersports | RWD | 657 hp (quoted) | Driver-first, lighter, sharper |
| Continental GT (standard) | Typically AWD | Varies by spec | Grand touring comfort with towering pace |
Prediction? The Supersports becomes the car enthusiasts talk about after the track day. The standard GT remains the one you choose for a dusk run to the Dolomites.
2026 Honda Prelude: The Slow Dance, Not the Mosh Pit
The Prelude is back, and early quick-drive impressions point to a hybrid two-door that’s more about balance than bombast. Don’t come hunting for Civic Type R fireworks. Instead, think fluent steering, a calm chassis, and that familiar Honda polish in the controls. When I sampled recent Honda hybrid tuning on rough suburban roads, I liked the clean, linear response—no droning, no rubber-band theatrics—and the Prelude sounds cut from that cloth.
- Hybrid powertrain with everyday refinement, weekend-winding-road character
- Chassis feels easygoing and accurate rather than edgy
- Cabin tech and ergonomics should feel familiar to recent Honda owners
- More GT coupe than track toy—on purpose
If Honda nails steering feel and pedal linearity (their usual party tricks), this could become the car you instinctively grab for a sunrise coffee run. Not the loudest, but maybe the one that lasts longest in your memory.
EV & Truck Beat: F-150 Lightning Sequel Rumblings
Ford appears keen to keep the Lightning name alive into the next chapter. Smart move. Even owners who’ve had ups and downs with public fast-charging told me they love the instant torque and the home-backup peace of mind. A sequel gives Ford room to improve weight, range-per-dollar, and charging curve—those three are the difference between “cool tech” and “no-brainer work tool.”
Luxury Chess: Genesis’ Coach Doors and Lexus’ Clarification
Genesis Flagship SUV Preps Rolls-Royce-Style Doors
Genesis’ upcoming top SUV is slated to wear coach doors—rear-hinged rears with power assistance. It’s a very deliberate signal: a brand that started with value now leaning hard into ritual and theater. Coach doors make every arrival feel a touch ceremonial. Just watch your parking—wide arcs and curbs do not play nice with glamour.
Lexus Says Its Repositioning Isn’t About Century
Lexus’ global boss says the brand’s shift upmarket wasn’t pushed by the new Century sub-brand. That tracks with what I’ve felt in the latest Lexus metal: refinement prioritized, “Lexus Driving Signature” gradually tightening, and cabin serenity turned up another notch. Century can play ultra-lux flagship; Lexus keeps broad premium with a more focused dynamic edge. Two lanes, no collision.
Tech Watch: Porsche’s Next Hybrids Eye Smarter E-Motors
Porsche is reportedly readying a trick new electric motor for future hybrids, aimed at better power density and efficiency. Porsche loves packaging wizardry—integrating e-motors cleanly with transmissions, minimizing inertia, keeping response scalpel-sharp. If they shave mass from the rotating bits and improve cooling, expect repeatable performance that doesn’t wilt after two laps. That’s the real superpower.
Hot Hatch & Wild Card Corner
Cupra’s Seat-Delete Street Hatch
Cupra has built a Leon that thinks it’s a race car—removable rear seats, the most potent FWD Leon to date, and a stance that screams “track evening at 6, dinner at 8.” I love this energy. It’s very Renault Mégane R26.R in spirit: fewer seats, more seriousness. My only tip from living with cars like this—budget for a set of quieter tires if you commute; track-focused rubber hums like an espresso machine at 70 mph.
Ruthless Beetle: The Ruf-Style Bug You Didn’t See Coming
Somebody built a Volkswagen Beetle with the body language of a Nürburgring pit boss—wide, low, and full of intent. It’s the kind of unexpected project that starts as a meme and ends with you scanning classifieds at 1 a.m. Does the world need it? No. Do I want to drive it up a mountain road at sunrise? Absolutely.
Business Beat: Vauxhall’s New Boss Talks Reset
Vauxhall’s incoming chief says the brand’s rebuild will focus on the basics: tighter product cadence, clearer design identity, and a pragmatic march toward electrification that doesn’t abandon mainstream buyers. That last bit matters. In Europe’s price-sensitive lanes, the winners will be the ones who make EVs pencil out without feeling like penalty boxes.
Key Highlights You Can Tell Your Mates
- Bentley Continental GT Supersports debuts with rear-wheel drive and a quoted 657 hp for the purists.
- Honda Prelude (2026) returns as a hybrid coupe with calm, balanced dynamics over track theatrics.
- Ford signals life after life for the F-150 Lightning with a likely next-gen sequel.
- Genesis flagship SUV to feature Rolls-Royce-style coach doors; Lexus says its upmarket push is independently driven.
- Porsche’s next hybrids could get a smarter, denser electric motor for repeatable performance.
- Cupra builds a seat-delete Leon road car with track-day vibes; a wild Ruf-style Beetle steals glances.
- Vauxhall’s new boss outlines a grounded path back to relevance.
Conclusion
The day’s theme is focus. Bentley trimmed the fat and chased feel. Honda revived a name with maturity, not mania. Genesis wants to stage arrivals; Lexus wants to steady the middle lane. Even Ford and Vauxhall sound like they’re cutting noise to get the job done. Fewer gimmicks, more intent—more of that, please.
FAQ
How much power does the new Bentley Continental GT Supersports have?
It’s quoted at 657 hp and, notably, sends that to the rear wheels only.
Is the 2026 Honda Prelude a full-on sports car?
It’s positioned more as a balanced, hybrid two-door GT—think fluid and refined rather than track-animal aggressive.
Is Ford canceling the F-150 Lightning?
No—signals point to a sequel/next generation keeping the Lightning story going.
Are Genesis’ coach doors practical?
They’re power-assisted and very elegant, but you’ll want to be mindful of tight parking spaces. The drama is the point.
Will the Cupra seat-delete hatch be comfortable for daily driving?
It’ll be livable if you accept more cabin noise and fewer seats. For track days, it should feel spot-on.
