Tuesday 17th June 2014

Bentley Continental GT3-R confirmed

That roadgoing version of the racer we all wanted? It's on the way...

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Ever since the Continental GT3 racer was announced, the expectation (and hope) was that Bentley would make a roadgoing version to accompany it. The launch of the V8 S diverted attention for a while, but the nagging suspicion that yet more could come from the V8 Continental soon returned.

New wheels, new decals, new spoiler

The GT3-R (for 'Road') should be that car. To the V8 S recipe it adds more power (52hp, to 580hp) but crucially removes some weight also, with the kerbweight down 100kg to 2,195kg. Still far from featherweight but it's a step in the right direction. The weight loss measures include deleting the rear seats, adding a titanium exhaust and fitting lightweight 21-inch wheels.

But there are further GT3 tweaks also. Bentley has altered the ratios of the ZF 8-speed auto for improved acceleration, meaning a top speed of 170mph but a 0-62mph time of 3.8 seconds. The first torque vectoring tech seen on a Bentley will be introduced for the -R also, operating on the rear wheels. That titanium exhaust saves 7kg and also delivers a 'unique baritone roar' says Bentley.

The GT3-R uses 'a development' of the air suspension set up used on the V8 S. It works in conjunction with a revised ESC system that is said to be more 'sport focused'. A Continental with a naughty side? We can but hope.

And that theme continues inside!

The GT3-R wouldn't be a Bentley special without a choice selection of visual identifiers. All 300 -Rs will be white with green decals to evoke the race car. Carbon is used for a new front splitter and rear wing and the interior gets a smattering of the black stuff too. It's there beyond the green, honest. But as that kebweight alluded to, this is no stripped out track special; leather remains the predominant interior material and the full roster of equipment stays.

As yet, Bentley hasn't announced a price for what it describes as dynamically 'its finest hour yet'. But they are available to order and will be seen at the Festival of Speed before reaching customer later this year. Which should be just in time for the S63 AMG coupe's arrival, conveniently enough. The Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale has already set a very high bar for driver-focused big coupes too, surely the Bentley's closest rival.

 

[b14]

Sporty on the outside, 2.2 tonnes on the inside. Surely Bentley can find a few hundred more kilos to lose with this one - 2.2 tonnes!!!

[number1nesta]

Yuk.

[Turbobanana]

Wasn't really a big fan until I saw (heard) it racing at Silverstone a few weeks back.
I'm not a huge fan of the shape except in profile, where it is absolutely stunning.
Still, I would though.

[unseen]

looks like a very heavy tic tac

[Kawasicki]

Why not build a rwd only version?

[Art0ir]

[redacted]

[Amirhussain]

Why??

[Chickentonight]

A Bentley that I'd have in my garage, dream one that is

[Hurricane52]

unseen said:

looks like a very heavy tic tac

I thought it might the Bentley GT3-R Pacer (for those who remember the 70s chewy mints with green stripes in)

[MatthewCollings]

Surely the whole point of a Bently is that it is fast but also comfortable, sleek and useable- Removing the rear seats and all of the other focused Tat makes no sense. If you wanted a powerful, impractical car you wouldn't buy one that still weighed over 2 tonnes.

Why strip out something huge in an attempt to make it something it will never be.

[tuffer]

Could somebody please photoshop Usain Bolts legs onto a a fat bird....

[Zod]

article said:

but crucially removes some weight also, with the kerbweight down 100kg to 2,195kg.

[Prawnboy]

MatthewCollings said:

Surely the whole point of a Bently is that it is fast but also comfortable, sleek and useable- Removing the rear seats and all of the other focused Tat makes no sense. If you wanted a powerful, impractical car you wouldn't buy one that still weighed over 2 tonnes.

Why strip out something huge in an attempt to make it something it will never be.

+1
but i like it
so confused!

[Zod]

Kawasicki said:

Why not build a rwd only version?

Because they can't. The platforms are all fwd/4wd with the engine slung out front (except for the R8, of course). Look at the gap between the front wheelarch and door. The only rwd cars in the group are Lamborghini (the Balboni) and Porsche.

[pSyCoSiS]

Impressive engineering and power, but as others have stated, why can more weight not be shaved off it's lardy ass?!

[Prawnboy]

pssst, Bently design dept, here are some weight saving tips for you.

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[MrTappets]

For a few crazy seconds there I imagined rwd, or possibly a power figure starting with a 7. Strangely, now all I can think is "Blimey, that Lotus Cortina's let itself go"

[ProBodge]

Black bonnet vents? Green go-faster stripes? Oh dear.

Why would anyone buy this when the stunning Jaguar F-Type R Coupe exists....

How old is the Continental GT now anyway? 11 years?

[Dave Hedgehog]

a barry Bentley

saves the footballers chav'in it up themselves, they will sell loads of them lol

[dinkel]

There's something very impressive about these phat beasts.