Bentley has revealed its new Continental GT3 race car – a precursor to a hot Continental GT road car that will likely arrive by 2020.
The GT3 has the same 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 as the Continental GT V8 with a Cosworth engine management system and, when not restricted to GT3 guidelines, produces around 542bhp. The previous GT3 used a tuned version of the same engine with more power but also more weight. Bentley collaborated with M-Sport on the racing model.
Kerb weight of the GT3 is down by at least 950kg; Bentley claims that the car weighs significantly less than 1300kg, compared with the road-going W12 launch car’s 2250kg.
The new GT3, based on the new Continental GT, features far more aggressive bodywork than the GT, with a deep front spoiler, wide wheel arches, aerodynamic fins and a huge rear wing. These are all optimised for aerodynamics and downforce, and are lighter than the standard car's counterparts.
Inside, there’s a FIA-spec roll-cage and six-point harness, while under-the-skin upgrades include a lightweight racing battery, race-spec anti-lock braking system and traction control, carbon fibre propshaft and four-way adjustable racing dampers.
Bentley is hoping to clinch wins in the Blancpain GT Series with the model, following a sales launch in June 2018. It will make its race debut at the opening round of the 2018 Blancpain Cup at Monza on 21 April.
Read more:
Bentley Continental GT3-R review
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