Bentley Continental GT3-R with 572 bhp V8 revealed

The Bentley Continental GT3-R arrives with a 572 bhp V8

As we reported last week, it looks like Bentley has decided to do a V8 take on the original Continental Supersports with the arrival of the Bentley Continental GT3-R, a lighter, more powerful Continental V8. Just like the original Continental Supersports, the Continental GT3-R loses its back seats and goes on a diet (down 100 kg on the V8S) and gets a retuned version of the 4.0 litre twin-turbo V8 producing 572 bhp and 516 lb/ft of torque together with shorter gearing to deliver a 0-60 mph in just 3.6 seconds (0-62mph in 3.8s).

The GT3-R still comes with Bentley’s four wheel drive, but it gets torque vectoring too and a modified ESC and a chassis tuned for outright cornering ability to make the GT3-R Bentley’s most dynamic road car to date.

Bentley has also fitted the GT3-R with a new titanium exhaust which not only manages to save 7kg on the normal system but gives the GT3-R a unique V8 roar.

Bentley’s Rolf Frech said:

We wanted to develop our powertrain and chassis systems further than ever before for the GT3-R project. The result is a Continental GT that is more dynamic than ever, with a torque vectoring system that neutralises understeer and a chassis tune that is both direct and forgiving.

We’ve differentiated the Drive and Sport modes further to give the driver a choice between a relaxed and refined Grand Tourer and a sharp supercar with instant responses. The reflexes of the car are matched by the throttle response from our redeveloped V8 engine, and the new turbochargers eliminate turbo lag. Bentleys are rewarding drivers’ cars – but dynamically, the GT3-R is our finest hour yet.

Exterior changes for the GT3-R include a new carbon fibre front splitter and fixed rear wing, two bonnet vents for improved cooling, two-tone green graphics, Glacier White paint job, gloss black highlights and new lightweight machine-forged 21″ gloss black alloys.

The interior may have swapped its back seats for a carpeted bench, but the GT3-R still gets bespoke leather and Alcantara sports seats, lots of carbon fibre trim, green highlights to match the exterior, GT3-R badges and ‘GT3-R’ stitched on the headrests.

The Bentley Continental GT3-R is now available to order with first deliveries by the end of 2014. Just 300 GT3-Rs are being built (Bentley has yet to reveal a price) and we’ll get the firts look at the GT3-R at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

By Cars UK