Bentley is preparing a new range-topper for its Continental GT line-up – potentially even creating an indirect successor to the Supersports of 2013.

Speaking to Autocar, Bentley R&D chief Matthias Rabe didn’t rule out the possibility of transplanting the 641bhp 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 powertrain from the new Bentayga Speed into the Continental GT.

Test mules photographed this month provided further evidence of the new Continental GT’s credentials, mainly suggesting that the new car will be positioned as something more extreme than the current car, rather than – as the Supersports nameplate meant before – be a model that guns purely to be the most powerful Continental in the range.

To do the latter will be a hard task, given the fourth-generation Continental – which was launched last year – exclusively uses a plug-in hybrid powertrain and, in its most powerful Speed guise, puts out a lofty 771bhp.

Instead, the testing pictures suggest the new ‘Supersports’ will instead be positioned as a lightweight and pure-combustion alternative to that model. A track and lap-time focus looks to be a key part of the brief, given the mules are fitted with a fixed rear spoiler and extra front aero.

There is also a new tailpipe design, which replaces Bentley’s traditional oval pipes with twin exhausts on either side. 

Besides the alloys appearing to be of a new design that is not currently available in the standard GT range, no other distinguishing design cues are visible. The previous Supersports were marked out by chunky vertical air intakes in the lower front bumper.

Further details of the car remain under wraps but, like the Supersports predecessor, it is likely to be available in only limited numbers and priced well above the current GT’s £202,400.