Bentley has announced plans for a limited run, race inspired version of its incredible Continental GT V8 coupe.
Only 300 Continental GT3-Rs, inspired by the M-Sport prepared GT3 racecar which romped to victory during the second round of the Blancpain Endurance Series at Silverstone earlier this year, will be made.
The base cars will be made by Bentley in Crewe, then sent for fettling at Bentley’s Motorsport Division.
The engine is based on the same V-8 that powers the standard road car but has been tuned to spit out 572-hp and 700 Nm of torque. It will fire its power to the tarmac via the car’s all-wheel-drive system and a new torque vectoring system – another first for Bentley.
That extra push comes from two new high-boost turbochargers and a massive retweak of the ECU to draw out more power from the V-8.
Gear ratios in the eight-speed ZF transmission have been shortened for better, explosive acceleration. Bentley says the GT3-R will hit 100 km from standing in 3.8 seconds, and an unconfirmed top speed of 273 km/h.
It will sound the business too: there’s a new, all-titanium exhaust which not only saves weight, but mimics the wail of the GT3 racer too.
Stopping power comes via the car’s carbon silicon carbide (CSiC) braking system. There are 420 mm front discs which are clamped by 8-piston calipers finished in green paint, while 356 mm discs are fitted to the rear hubs.
Inside, it’s all carbon fibre, with black and green leather and diamond quilted alcantara. The rear seats have been binned and replaced with leather and alcantara trim, and accent green panels have been crafted into the seats, instrument panel and door panels. The interior also contrast stitching throughout the seats and diamond-quilted areas.
Sheet metal changes to the exterior include a new bonnet with two new vents for cooling. The splitter has been redesigned, and the gloss carbon fibre and black accents are added to the headlamp bezels, grille, window surrounds and bumper strips. The 21-inch wheels are machine-forged from high-strength alloy and finished in gloss black.
Buyers will get free standard servicing for four years, and order books are open now. Deliveries will start late in 2014.