We drove the most powerful Bentley ever built to see if it’s worth $325,000 — here’s the verdict

• Bentley’s long-serving Continental GT is heading for retirement after 15 wildly successful years in service.
• The Continental GT is going out in style with the 700 horsepower, 209 mph Supersports.
• Bentley’s all-new second-generation Continental GT will arrive for the 2019 model year.
• We loved the Supersports’ power, performance, comfort, and style.

All good things must come to an end. After 15 years of unprecedented success, it was time for the Bentley Continental GT to say goodbye.

Launched in 2003, the Continental GT proved to be an immediate success. In fact, the 12-cylinder grand tourer was so much of a success that it increased Bentley’s global sales five-fold by 2005. That year, it was also revealed that demand for the Continental GT was so massive that there was a one-year waiting list for the car.

In 2010, Bentley updated the Continental GT with fresh styling and a added a new V8 engine option. Over the years, Bentley has worked hard to tweak and improve the Continental.

After a decade and a half, Bentley and parent company VW Group decided it was time to bid farewell to the best selling model.

Last August, Bentley unveiled the new second-generation Continental GT. It’ll arrive later this year as a 2019 model.

But before sailing off into the sunset, Bentley decided to do its trusty workhorse a solid with the introduction of the Continental Supersports. It’s the fastest and powerful Bentley ever built. It’s the Bentley Continental in its ultimate form.

Recently, Business Insider had the chance to spend a few days with the stylish English brute on the roads in and around San Francisco.

The 2017 Bentley Continental Supersports starts at $293,300, but $35,065 in options and fees pushed the as-tested price up to $328,365.

Unfortunately, the Continental Supersports Coupe is no longer on sale. However, the slightly pricier, Supersports Convertible is still available as a 2018 model.

Here’s a closer look at the Bentley Continental Supersports.