Bentley has unveiled a race car version of the Continental GT at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
The Bentley Continental GT3 - a racing version of the Continental GT coupe -
has been revealed at the 2013 Goodwood
Festival of Speed.
Although it shares many elements with the road car, the Continental GT3 is a
bespoke model designed solely for motorsport and, at less than 1300kg, it
weighs about 1000kg less.
Power comes from a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine that develops 600bhp.
Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a carbon fibre propshaft to
six-speed sequential gearbox with a limited slip differential, mounted as a
transaxle for optimised weight distribution. Gearshifts are via a pneumatic
shift system.
A double wishbone suspension system with adjustable racing dampers replaces
the Contintental GT's springs. The steering system has hydraulic
power-assistance, while braking is via ventilated iron discs with six-piston
calipers at the front and four-piston calipers at the rear.
As well as wider bodywork than the GT, the GT3 gains a carbon-fibre rear wing,
carbon-fibre front splitter and extra vents to aid engine cooling.
Despite its motorsport specification and stripped-out interior Bentley says
the GT3 remains a hand-crafted car, with the steering wheel, door pulls and
seat all hand-trimmed and stitched by its staff at Crewe.
The Continental GT3 is expected to start full competition in the FIA Blancpain
Series in 2014. It made its dynamic debut at the Goodwood
Festival of Speed, driven by 2003 Le Mans champion Guy Smith.