Bentley has lifted the veils off its most extreme road car ever, the Continental GT3-R. Inspired by the Continental GT3 race car, the street-legal version has only two seats, weighs 100 kg (220 lbs) less than a GT V8 S and is powered by a retuned V8 engine producing 580PS (572hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque.
Limited to 300 units, the Continental GT3-R is “the most dynamic Bentley road car in history” (according to the automaker) and will be hand-built in Crewe and finished in Bentley’s Motorsport division.
The hardcore GT car is powered by a retuned version of Bentley’s race-proven 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 which produces 580 PS (572 hp) and 700 Nm (516 lb-ft) of torque from 1,700 rpm. Combined with a 100 kg (220 lbs) weight reduction and shorter gearing, the engine makes the Bentley Continental GT3-R the fastest-accelerating Bentley ever. 0-60 mph (96 km/h) takes just 3.6 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds), while top speed is 170 mph (273 km/h).
The engine is mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission with shorter output gearing which sends power to all four wheels. The all-wheel drive system features torque vectoring for the first time, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and a chassis optimized for cornering ability, making the Continental GT3-R “the most dynamic, responsive and involving Bentley road car ever” (always according to the company).
Styling-wise, the Continental GT3-R features a new carbon fiber front splitter and a fixed rear wing, two vents in the bonnet, Glacier White paint for all 300 examples as well as two-tone green graphics. Drawing inspiration from the racecar, the headlamp bezels, matrix grille, window surrounds and bumper strips are all finished in stylish gloss black. Bentley also added all-new 21-inch lightweight alloy wheels finished in gloss black.
On the inside, the Continental GT3-R does not give up luxury, featuring a two-seat cabin handcrafted from carbon fiber, Alcantara and the finest leather. The bespoke sporting seats are finished in Beluga black leather with diamond-quilted Alcantara, while the center console and fascia panels are handcrafted in carbon fiber. A new trimmed rear cabin, complete with a carbon fiber surround and finished in leather and Alcantara replaces the rear seats.
The Bentley Continental GT3-R will be showcased at the 2014 Goodwood Festival of Speed next week. Order books are already open, with deliveries scheduled for late 2014.
By Dan Mihalascu
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