2014 Bentley "Continental GT3R"

Specifications

Configuration: Longitudinal front-engine

Engine: Twin Turbo V8

Displacement: 244.1 cu. in./ 4.0L

Horsepower: 592 hp at 6,000 RPM

Torque: 553 lb. ft. at 1,700 RPM

Max RPM: Approx. 7,000 RPM

Transmission: 8-speed automatic

A Little History

In 1998, Bentley, having previously been owned by Rolls Royce Motors, was purchased by Volkswagen-AG. The Bentley Continental GT was released at the 2003 Geneva Motor Show. Though it was still hand-assembled, like the earlier Continental R and T models, it was made in significantly larger numbers. It was not a coachbuilt car, and therefore about half the price of its predecessors. The result was immediate exposure to a much wider customer base.

The first generation of Continental GT was produced through 2011 and included 14 different iterations. The second generation of the Continental GT debuted at the 2010 Paris Motor Show and is still in production today. Like the older example, there have been 13 different variations of the Continental released, including the GT3-R on display.

The Design:

In 2013, Bentley unveiled the Continental GT3 as a rear-wheel-drive racecar, and entered it immediately into both the Blancpain Endurance Series in Europe, and the Pirelli World Challenge Series in the US. To boost interest in the GT3, Bentley shortly thereafter released the GT3-R in a limited production 300 model run.

Bentley shaved 220 pounds off of the GT3-R in comparison to the regular Continental GT. To do so, they first removed the back seats. The interior is detailed with carbon fiber throughout, instead of the traditional wood paneling found in previous models. In fact, the entire interior strongly resembles that of the Bugatti, also on display, as they’re both now owned by Volkswagen. It features diamond –stitched alcantara and leather bucket seats, an alcantara-wrapped steering wheel, and grasshopper-green highlights throughout. Unlike many other supercars on display, it bears a fixed rear wing, as opposed to it being automated. This is because the car is so heavy, in combination with it not reaching speeds over 200 mph, it doesn’t actually require additional downforce at top speed.

On the Track:

The Bentley Continental GT3 was entered into its first Blancpain GT series in 2014. It took 4th place at the Gulf 12 Hours race, and won the Silverstone round of the Blancpain Endurance Series.

Did you know?

• This is the first ever Bentley constructed without wood.

• This is the heaviest car on display. It outweighs its next closest competitor, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4L Grand Sport Vitesse, by close to 900 pounds!