If you're a Bentley fan, you should probably grab a towel right now because it's going to get messy. The carmaker has just revealed the full specifications of their new Continental GT3 racecar. The Bentley Continental GT3 was premiered back in September last year at the 2012 Paris auto show. They waited almost a full year before telling us what's underneath that bonnet. The Bentley Continental GT3 is powered by a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with a Cosworth management system. The output of this unit is rated at around 600 bhp. The good part is that Bentley removed more than 1,000 kg off the total weight of the Continental to build the GT3 version. So, the Continental GT3 is more powerful than the standard GT Speed, more than a ton lighter, and it also has optimized aerodynamics. Get the picture?
Bentley equips the Continental GT3 with a dry sump oil system, an Xtrac 6-speed sequential transmission, a limited slip differential and a carbon fiber propshaft. The limited slip diff is mounted as a transaxle for optimized weight distribution. The steering wheel mounted paddle shifters activate a pneumatic shift system that further controls the gear actuations. The Conti GT3 comes with a double wishbone suspension for both axles, with four-way adjustable racing dampers.
The Continental GT3 new aerodynamic package includes a huge carbon rear wing, a new front splitter and modified bonnet, bumpers, fenders and sills.
For the interior of the GT3 Continental, Bentley is using a racing bucket seat, a full roll cage, carbon fiber trim parts and all the racing equipment you can think of.
The Bentley Continental GT3's price has not been announced yet. Its debut is going to take place this weekend at the Goodwood Festival of Speed Hillclimb.
Bentley Continental GT3 Specifications:
Engine 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, repositioned to the rear of the engine bay, Cosworth engine management system
Power Approx. 600 bhp derestricted
Oil System Dry sump
Transmission Rear wheel drive, Xtrac six-speed sequential transaxle gearbox, racing clutch, steering wheel mounted paddle operated pneumatic gear shift
Drivetrain Carbon fiber propshaft, limited slip differential
Suspension Double wishbone suspension front and rear, four-way adjustable racing dampers
Steering Hydraulic power-assisted steering
Brakes Ventilated iron disc brakes front and rear, Brembo six-piston front calipers, four-piston rear calipers, driver-adjustable brake bias
Safety FIA-specification steel roll cage, Sparco six-point FIA safety harness, onboard fire extinguisher, onboard pneumatic jack system.
Fuel System FIA-specification racing fuel cell
Electronics Race-specification ABS and traction control. Lightweight race battery.
Wheels OZ Racing 18” x 13” rims
Tires 310 / 710 R18
Aerodynamics Carbon fiber front splitter, rear wing and body panels. Lightweight, aerodynamically-optimized bumpers, bonnet, sills and fenders
Length 4950 mm
Width 2030 mm
Height 1350 mm
Weight <1300 kg
Weight Distribution 52 : 48
Bentley Continental GT3 on the track video:
