Photo: Bentley
If you’ve ever dreamed of racing supercars in your Bentley, rejoice! After multiple spyshots and keeping its June 17 release promise, the British carmaker has come up with the expected road incarnation of its Continental GT3 racer. Meet the limited-edition Continental GT3-R, the “most dynamic Bentley road car in history”.
You won’t miss it on the street
Just like the spied prototypes, the Continental GT3-R comes with a generously-sized front splitter and a fixed rear wing, both finished in carbon fiber. Inspired from the track-confined Continental GT3, we have a pair of bonnet vents.
You can have this limited edition in any color you like, as long as it’s Glacier White. The visual link to the racecar is completed by Green two-tone graphics. Fret not, Black fans, the headlamp bezels, front grille, window trim and bumper strips are finished in Gloss Black. The same goes for the wheels.
The V8 was gifted with a new set of turbochargers and a new titanium exhaust. Aside from shedding 15 lbs (7 kg), the latter also allows the engine to fully express its feelings. Bentey describes this as a “unique baritone roar”. Of course, a new ECU software keeps everything in check. For instance, the Normal and Sport driving modes are now further apart.
As a result, the pedal on the right now controls 580 hp at 6,000 rpm and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of toruqe, which arrive as low as 1,700 rpm. We’ll remind you that the max torque in the GT V8S also starts at 1,700 rpm, while the standard GT V8 delivers this starting from 100 rpm lower.
The engine still works with ZF’s 8-speed automatic, but this has received shorter gearing and recallibrated paddle shifter functionality. Just as important, the GT3-R introduces torque vectoring to Bentley. The carmaker doesn’t say if the default 40:60 (front:rear) power delivery has changed, but explains that torque can be individually be controlled for the rear axle. Still, they didn’t mention if the job is handled by a new diff or via the braking system.
The Electronic Stability Control has been trained to deliver a livelier experience, while the aforementioned torque vectoring promises to repel understeer.
The extra muscle and lower gearing team up with a 220 lbs (100 kg) diet and the results are indeed impressive. This Bentley can play the 0 to 60 mph game in 3.6 seconds, while the 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes 3.8 seconds. The lower gearing has decreased the top speed though. This has been brought from 192 mph (309 km/h) to 170 mph (273 km/h).
Since this is a vehicle that will bring Bentleys to trackdays more often than we’re used to, the stopping power is ready to back it all up. The Continental GT3-R features Bentley’s record-holding (the largest in the world on a production car) Carbon Silicon Carbide (CSiC) braking system. Up front, we receive 420 mm rotors with 8-piston calipers, while at the back we have 356 mm discs. An eye-candy shade of Green was used for the calipers.
Up front, the seats are new and, you guessed, side support was the aim here. Don’t worry though, the luxury is still here, with the seats finished in Beluga black leather with diamond-quilted Alcantara.
The same treat is offered on the steering wheel and gear shifter, while the acres of wood usually found around the cabin have made way for carbon fiber. A contrasting effect comes from elements finished in a vivid shade of Green.
Update: We asked Bentley a few question about the cool tech stuff in the GT3-R.
Just like the spied prototypes, the Continental GT3-R comes with a generously-sized front splitter and a fixed rear wing, both finished in carbon fiber. Inspired from the track-confined Continental GT3, we have a pair of bonnet vents.
You can have this limited edition in any color you like, as long as it’s Glacier White. The visual link to the racecar is completed by Green two-tone graphics. Fret not, Black fans, the headlamp bezels, front grille, window trim and bumper strips are finished in Gloss Black. The same goes for the wheels.
Powaaah!
Enthusiastic about the recent victories of the Conti GT3 racecar, Bentley’s engineers pushed the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 to a level that goes past what they, or Audi’s engineers, for that matter, have done in the past.The V8 was gifted with a new set of turbochargers and a new titanium exhaust. Aside from shedding 15 lbs (7 kg), the latter also allows the engine to fully express its feelings. Bentey describes this as a “unique baritone roar”. Of course, a new ECU software keeps everything in check. For instance, the Normal and Sport driving modes are now further apart.
As a result, the pedal on the right now controls 580 hp at 6,000 rpm and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of toruqe, which arrive as low as 1,700 rpm. We’ll remind you that the max torque in the GT V8S also starts at 1,700 rpm, while the standard GT V8 delivers this starting from 100 rpm lower.
The engine still works with ZF’s 8-speed automatic, but this has received shorter gearing and recallibrated paddle shifter functionality. Just as important, the GT3-R introduces torque vectoring to Bentley. The carmaker doesn’t say if the default 40:60 (front:rear) power delivery has changed, but explains that torque can be individually be controlled for the rear axle. Still, they didn’t mention if the job is handled by a new diff or via the braking system.
The Electronic Stability Control has been trained to deliver a livelier experience, while the aforementioned torque vectoring promises to repel understeer.
The extra muscle and lower gearing team up with a 220 lbs (100 kg) diet and the results are indeed impressive. This Bentley can play the 0 to 60 mph game in 3.6 seconds, while the 0 to 100 km/h sprint takes 3.8 seconds. The lower gearing has decreased the top speed though. This has been brought from 192 mph (309 km/h) to 170 mph (273 km/h).
Chassis and Brakes
The Continental GT3-R features a modified version of the GT V8S’ air springs and dampers. The connection to the road is established through a set of 21-inch forged wheels, shod in Pirelli rubber.Since this is a vehicle that will bring Bentleys to trackdays more often than we’re used to, the stopping power is ready to back it all up. The Continental GT3-R features Bentley’s record-holding (the largest in the world on a production car) Carbon Silicon Carbide (CSiC) braking system. Up front, we receive 420 mm rotors with 8-piston calipers, while at the back we have 356 mm discs. An eye-candy shade of Green was used for the calipers.
You’ll be taking the plushness of the cabin on the track with you
The GT3-R knows nobody will want to sit behind you while this B flies around the track, so the rear seats have been deleted.Up front, the seats are new and, you guessed, side support was the aim here. Don’t worry though, the luxury is still here, with the seats finished in Beluga black leather with diamond-quilted Alcantara.
The same treat is offered on the steering wheel and gear shifter, while the acres of wood usually found around the cabin have made way for carbon fiber. A contrasting effect comes from elements finished in a vivid shade of Green.
If you want one, you’d better be quick about it
Bentley’s factory in Crewe will only build 300 units of the Continental GT3-R, with these set to be completed in its Motorsport Division. The order books are already open, with deliveries scheduled to start towards the end of the year. Mind you, a four0year servicing plan in included in the price. “What price?” we hear you asking. Well, the financial burden hasn’t been announced yet - this must be one of those “if you ask, you can’t afford it” cases.Update: We asked Bentley a few question about the cool tech stuff in the GT3-R.
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