The Genesis of ‘Pymkhana’: An Insider’s Account of Bentley’s Most Ambitious Stunt Film
In the annals of automotive filmmaking, few projects have captured the imagination quite like Supersports: FULL SEND. Released in early 2026, the film quickly became a benchmark for technical execution, creative bravery, and sheer engineering prowess. But for those of us with boots on the ground in Crewe, England, the reality was far more complex. It was a nerve-wracking, high-stakes gamble that required the transformation of the world’s most prestigious luxury car manufacturer into a high-speed stunt arena.
I was there from the initial whispers to the final frame, witnessing firsthand how an idea, born from a conversation that might otherwise have been dismissed as pure fantasy, evolved into the technical masterpiece we saw on screen. What you don’t see in the finished product is the sheer amount of preparation required to make such a concept feasible without compromising the integrity of the production line or, more importantly, the safety of the engineers involved.
The project essentially asked Bentley to do what it does best—build beautiful, powerful luxury cars—but applied in a way it never had before: destroying them artistically in a controlled environment.
The Spark: How ‘Pymkhana’ Came to Life
It all began in April 2025, on the back of the launch of the new Bentley Continental GT Supersports. We knew we had something special with this car. It was the most dynamic, powerful, and road-ready Bentley ever produced, and it deserved more than just a static commercial.
Our Head of Product Communications, Mike Sayer, approached the R&D department with a concept he’d been mulling over—a dynamic film set at the factory. The name ‘Pymkhana’ was immediately suggested, a playful combination of our factory address, Pyms Lane, and “gymkhana,” a sport involving technical driving skill. Initially, the engineers were skeptical, but in a way that surprised even themselves, they started crunching the numbers. They realized that with enough preparation, the impossible could become possible.
When the Board of Management gave the green light, the project moved from a discussion into a mission. It was no longer about if we could do it; it was about how.
Engineering the Impossible: Tuning the Supersports for Chaos
To truly understand the scale of this project, you must understand what we were asking for. The standard production Supersports, while a performance beast, is still governed by strict stability controls, safety software, and electronic safeguards designed to protect the driver and the car. We needed to override all of that.
Our engineering team, led by Alistair Corner, had the unenviable task of transforming a road-legal supercar into a stunt machine. They spent months working with a special development vehicle, essentially removing the guardrails that keep a $300,000 car from flying into a building.
“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,” Corner explained. “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.”
The key modifications included:
Electronics: The electronic Limited Slip Differential was recalibrated for earlier locking, and the Electronic Stability Control was permanently disabled. Special software was developed to enable static and rolling burnouts.
The Handbrake: Perhaps the most crucial modification was the installation of a working hydraulic handbrake. Integrating it with the eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox was a feat of engineering in itself. This allowed the car to enter tight corners sideways, utilizing the unique handling geometry of the Bentley chassis rather than relying on raw power.
Protection: Titanium skid blocks were mounted beneath the car. These weren’t just for show; they were essential for generating the spectacular shower of sparks we see during the culmination of the film.
The result was a ‘Pymkhana’ car that was an extension of the Supersports’ capability—a monster that could dance around our factory roads. It’s a testament to the engineers at Crewe that they could not only conceive these modifications but actually execute them without compromising the structure of the car. The star car was eventually added to the Bentley Heritage Collection, a permanent reminder of the engineering flexibility of the Supersports platform.
The Supporting Cast: Insurance Against Disaster
In filmmaking, as in life, things rarely go exactly as planned. When you’re working with a vehicle as powerful as a Bentley, the stakes are exponentially higher. We couldn’t risk the star car becoming a liability during the filming days.
To mitigate risk, a second, identical ‘back-up’ car was prepared. Both cars were then wrapped in a custom-designed graphic by the renowned artist Deathspray, adding a bespoke, almost comic-book aesthetic that complemented the high-energy nature of the film. The 22-inch wheels were custom-painted to match, giving the cars an even more aggressive, unified appearance.
A Date with the Stunt Master
Getting the right driver was paramount. The dynamic skills required for this film demanded a driver who was not only an expert at high-speed maneuvers but also comfortable navigating a closed, tight production environment. We were fortunate enough to secure the agreement of Travis Pastrana, an action sports icon who has made a career out of pushing boundaries.
With the driver confirmed, dates were set for September 26–28, 2025. But before a single tire turned, the team faced a daunting challenge: planning every scene in minute detail. This wasn’t a free-for-all; it was a choreographed ballet involving potentially dangerous machinery.
Navigating a Minefield of Risk
The Bentley campus at Crewe is not just a factory; it’s a fully operational production line. It’s a space filled with working machinery, delicate electrical systems, water mains, and—crucially—gas pipelines. Every single scene had to be meticulously planned to ensure the safety of the car, the driver, and the 2,000 people who normally work on that same ground.
The logistical challenges were immense. Scenes involving other cars—such as the car park chase with the Pikes Peak Bentleys or the burnout sequence at Brooklands—required additional coordination with precision drivers. These moments were particularly tense because we weren’t just executing a solo stunt; we were synchronizing multiple moving vehicles in close proximity. It’s the kind of coordination that requires intense focus and absolute trust.
The Scale of the Operation
The filming itself was a massive undertaking. A dedicated behind-the-scenes film, released alongside the main feature, documents the sheer manpower involved. We assembled a crew of over 100 people.
The core filming crew comprised around 25 individuals, including:
Two Main Camera Operators: Dedicated to capturing the high-speed action from ground level.
Two Drone Operators: Essential for wide shots and unique aerial perspectives of the factory.
Two Minicams Technicians: Focused on tiny, strategically placed cameras that offered close-up views.
A Three-Person Crew: Operating a custom-built tracking vehicle—a modified first-generation Bentayga W12 equipped with a U-Crane arm—to follow the action dynamically.
But the main crew was only the tip of the iceberg. Supporting teams played a critical role in keeping everything moving safely and efficiently. This included:
Location Marshals: A team of 10 people responsible for ensuring that each location around the factory was completely closed off for filming. This was vital to prevent accidental intrusions into the set.
Vehicle Specialists: 25 specialists divided into two teams, ensuring all vehicles were operating at peak performance and ready for any mechanical issues.
Factory Support: A team dedicated to managing the production line and ensuring minimum disruption to the campus’s daily operations.
Medics & Fire Crews: Essential safety personnel to be on standby throughout the intense filming period.
Car Wranglers: Coordinating the movement of all vehicles on site.
Heritage Car Drivers: Operating classic Bentleys used in certain scenes.
Health & Safety: A dedicated unit to monitor compliance with all safety regulations.
The Day of the Shoot: Organized Chaos
The filming days were intense, exhilarating, and, frankly, exhausting. I remember the atmosphere as electric. The entire campus was closed, locked down for filming—a first in Bentley’s history. The silence of a working factory was replaced by the roar of the Supersports’ engine and the squeal of tires on asphalt.
Despite the speed, the drifts, and the high-octane action, the filming went remarkably smoothly. We were fortunate with the weather, and all the teams performed at an exceptional level.
“The filming days were incredibly intense but ultimately the most fun we’ve ever had at the campus,” Mike Sayer commented. “We were fortunate with the weather, and the star car, the supporting cast of vehicles and all the teams involved performed to an exceptional standard. Despite the beyond-the-limit driving involved, and speeds exceeding 120 mph, the only damage sustained to person or machine was one smashed wing mirror
