Bentley Goes Full Send: A Deep Dive into the Making of ‘Supersports: FULL SEND’ (2026 Edition)
A Journey to the Edge of Performance: How Bentley Built an Audacious Vision
CREWE, England – April 2, 2026 – Since its inception, the Bentley name has been synonymous with luxury, engineering prowess, and motorsport heritage. However, as the automotive landscape evolves and digital natives demand more visceral content, Bentley has had to pivot their marketing approach. The culmination of this strategic shift is “Supersports: FULL SEND,” a high-octane cinematic showcase featuring the legendary Travis Pastrana, shot entirely within the historic walls of Bentley’s Crewe campus. This project represents not just a radical departure from traditional luxury advertising but a significant gamble that paid off.
This deep dive explores the genesis of “Supersports: FULL SEND,” the technological hurdles overcome, the logistical tightropes walked, and the cultural impact of this groundbreaking film. We peel back the layers of tire smoke to reveal how a company known for its refined understatement dared to go completely over the top.
The Genesis of a High-Octane Vision
The idea for “Supersports: FULL SEND” first emerged in April of the previous year. The launch of the all-new Bentley Supersports model provided a unique canvas for something entirely different—a film that would capture the unadulterated spirit of the car without the traditional constraints of luxury advertising. Internal brainstorming began under the codename ‘Pymkhana’, an ingenious play on words referencing Pyms Lane, the iconic address of the Bentley factory.
What surprised everyone involved was the immediate buy-in from key internal stakeholders at Bentley. The concept of essentially turning the sacred Crewe campus into a private stunt track was ambitious, if not borderline audacious. However, with rigorous planning and meticulous risk mitigation, Bentley’s Board of Management approved the project. The green light allowed Bentley’s R&D department to begin the arduous task of preparing a Supersports development vehicle to push the very limits of what the production model would allow.
The challenge was significant. The Bentley engineering team faced the daunting task of modifying a production-intent car to perform extreme maneuvers while minimizing the risk to both the car and the sensitive factory infrastructure. The core philosophy was clear: remove all safety features and add functionality that would allow the car to “dance” through the narrow factory roads, a stark contrast to the stability and precision designed into the final production Supersports.
Engineering the Beast: Modifying the Production Car
The backbone of this extreme transformation lay in the electronic Limited Slip Differential (eLSD). Bentley engineers adjusted the differential settings to achieve earlier locking, creating a more predictable and controllable slide that is essential for gymkhana-style driving. The Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a critical component of modern luxury vehicles, was permanently disabled. This required writing custom software to allow both static and rolling burnouts, something typically prohibited in production-level software.
However, the most critical innovation was the design and integration of a working hydraulic handbrake. This was not a simple aftermarket addition; it was a complex engineering feat integrated with the eight-speed double-clutch gearbox (DSG). This specialized handbrake system allowed the driver to pivot the car through tight corners at speed, relying on drift rather than power-oversteer—a technique that allowed for incredibly precise control around tight factory corners.
Alistair Corner, Bentley’s engineering manager, oversaw the development of this specialized vehicle. His commentary captures the essence of the project:
“The mission for our ‘Pymkhana’ car was to turn the already-capable Supersports up to 11 – to remove all the safety features that the production version must include, and to add functionality to allow the car to dance around the narrow roads of our factory. The team of engineers that developed the car was outstanding, learning on-the-fly and coming up with creative solutions to turn the car into a monster. Crucially, what that special car can now do is an extension of the inherent ability within Supersports – the Pymkhana car is a Supersports without limits, that demonstrates what our chassis and powertrain can do when taken to the extreme.”
This philosophy of extension rather than replacement is fundamental to Bentley’s engineering ethos. The Pymkhana car is not a departure from the Supersports DNA; it is the Supersports stripped bare, a pure expression of its powertrain and chassis capabilities unleashed without limits.
The star car, which has since joined Bentley’s exclusive Heritage Collection, was not the only vehicle prepared for the shoot. A second, backup car was built to mitigate any risk of damage during filming. The star car featured a bespoke, gymkhana-inspired wrap designed by graphic artist Deathspray, complete with custom-painted 22-inch wheels. Beneath the star car, a pair of titanium skid blocks were mounted to generate the spectacular shower of sparks seen near the culmination of the film—a visual signature of the film’s extreme nature.
Partnering with a Legend: Travis Pastrana
No such high-octane vision would be complete without a legendary figure to bring it to life. Travis Pastrana, a name synonymous with adrenaline-fueled stunts and motorsport dominance, agreed to join the project as the driver. His reputation as a risk-taker who pushes boundaries made him the perfect fit to navigate the tight confines of the Bentley campus.
The filming dates were set for September 26-28, 2025. However, before the engine could roar to life, the project required months of detailed planning and choreography. Every ‘scene’ was mapped out in meticulous detail to minimize risk. Given that the Bentley campus is a working factory, the number of potential risks was immense. Extra care was required to protect gas mains, fiber optic cables, water pipes, and even the electrical power supply to the entire factory—all of which were in close proximity to some of the most dynamic stunts.
Scenes involving other vehicles, such as the car park chase sequence with the Pikes Peak Bentleys or the Brooklands burnout sequence, required additional coordination and included two precision drivers working alongside Pastrana. The intricate dance of these vehicles demanded synchronization that only world-class professionals could provide.
The Logistical Challenge: A Campus Under Lock and Key
The filming itself was a massive logistical undertaking, involving a squad of over 100 people split between the production crew and supporting teams from across Bentley. The main filming crew comprised around 25 people, including two main camera operators, two drone operators, two minicams technicians, and a three-person crew operating a purpose-built tracking car built out of a first-generation Bentayga W12, complete with a U-Crane arm.
Supporting teams were crucial to the success of the project. A 10-person set of location marshals was responsible for ensuring that each location around the factory was completely closed off for filming. Twenty-five vehicle specialists (working in two teams), a factory support team, medics, a fire crew, car wranglers, heritage car drivers, and a health and safety unit all worked together to ensure the shoot went off without a hitch.
The most remarkable aspect of the production was the decision to completely close the entire Bentley campus for the duration of the shoot. This allowed for safe filming and the ability to reach speeds of up to 120 mph without the risk of production vehicles or employees entering the restricted areas. This level of security and control over Bentley’s iconic campus was unprecedented.
The Final Polish: Editing and Release
After three days of filming, the project moved into the post-production phase. Led by director Jon Richards, the editing process took three months to refine the vast amount of footage into the final product. The finished film was released in January, featuring 12 hidden ‘Easter Eggs’ that only the most eagle-eyed viewers would spot.
These hidden details are a nod to Bentley’s rich heritage and motorsport history, weaving a narrative thread through the high-octane action.
Supersports: FULL SEND – The Easter Eggs
Travis Pastrana’s ID: The Bentley employee number on Pastrana’s ID badge is 199, his race number.
1999 Hunaudières: The Hunaudières concept car appears in the ‘garage’ scene, paying homage to Bentley’s lineage.
Speed 8: The 2003 Le Mans-winning Speed 8 is also present in the garage, representing another iconic motorsport moment.
New Continental GT S: The new Continental GT S is included, pre-embargo, showcasing Bentley’s latest offerings.
The Codename ‘Mildred’: The codename for the Supersports project, ‘Mildred’, is printed into the hydraulic handbrake, adding an element of authenticity and insight into the development process.
Bentley BEV: The new Bentley BEV appears twice—once in camouflage in the car park and once under silk after Pastrana opens the door.
1953 R-Type Continental: Bentley’s own 1953 R-Type Continental, the progenitor of the Continental GT design language and name, is displayed in a glass box where Travis turns left after the fly-by of the pre-war Bentleys.
2025 EXP 15: The 2025 EXP 15 design vision car sits atop the long straight, representing Bentley’s futuristic vision.
1919: The race number 199 on the Supersports’ front grille contains a black “1” between the two ‘9’ digits, creating 19
