New Bentley Continental GT3

Well, as we're having a day for British sports cars on PH...

Since 2014, the Bentley Continental GT3 has attracted a swathe of sportscar fans from across the globe thanks to its thundering V8 soundtrack, brutish good looks and, let's be frank, the bizarre joy that comes from seeing something so large go so fast.

Have you lost weight, or is that wing bigger?

Now, in line with its roadgoing partner, the Bentley racing car has been overhauled for 2018. It has a lot to live up to as well, with the outgoing GT3 having achieved 45 wins and 120 podiums in 528 races; it's a Blancpain GT champion too.

While the exterior styling is naturally derived from the new model, the race car's underpinnings have benefitted from the update too: aluminium construction is said to have improved the weight distribution, for example. Downforce is up on before, while both brakes and suspension are described as "new and bespoke".

This GT3 uses the previous car's 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, refreshed and rejuvenated for 2018; certainly no bad thing if you ask us, the air-shredding malevolence of that engine being a key part of the appeal. The intake and exhaust are said to be all-new, and the dry-sump system has been revised. Balance of Performance will of course dictate final power output, though the unrestricted total is more than 550hp.

At present the second-gen Continental GT3 is completing a six-month testing programme in France, Portugal and the UK, which will eventually include a 24-hour race simulation too. The car's debut will be in the first round of the Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup at Monza, where it will aim to begin a defence of the 2017 crown won by the old car. Expect a driver line up very soon, and private teams can get their hands on one from June.