Bentley Continental GT3 Race Car Previews Automaker’s Return to Motorsports

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After nearly a decade’s absence from racing, Bentley is returning to motorsports competition with the Continental GT3 race car. Debuting at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the Bentley Continental GT3 concept racer is based on the Continental GT Speed – the automaker’s fastest production car to date.
“The clear message from our customers is that Bentley belongs on the racetrack, and the Continental GT3 is the realization of a dream we’ve had ever since the launch of the Continental GT,” said Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, chairman and CEO, in a press release.
Unlike the plush all-wheel-drive production car, the rear-drive Continental GT3 racer features a stripped down interior replaced with the safety equipment required for motorsports. The big Bentley features front, side and rear lower air dams as well as a large rear wing to improve aerodynamics. Bentley worked with the FIA to prepare the Continental GT3 for competition in several race series and events including 24-hour racing competition.
The production-spec Bentley Continental GT Speed has a claimed 4.0-second 0-60 mph top speed and 205-mph top speed. Mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, the car’s 6.0-liter W-12 engine produces 616 hp and 590 lb-ft of torque.
A dedicated motorsports team at Crewe will continue developing the Bentley Continental GT3 until the end of 2013, when the race car is expected return to motorsports racing – marking the tenth anniversary of Bentley’s last event and sixth Le Mans victory.
The production-spec Bentley Continental GT Speed is shown below along with the Bentley Continental GT3 concept racer.
Source: Bentley

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Source : wot[dot]motortrend[dot]com