Following on from last’s year’s Concept, Bentley has chosen this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed to debut its libidinous Continental GT3 racecar.
Built in partnership with Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport outfit, the Continental GT3 is powered by a race-spec version of the road car’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 using Cosworth management and a dry-sump system. Producing 447 kW (600 hp) in unrestricted guise, power is sent to the rear wheels via a carbon fibre propshaft connected to an Xtrac six-speed sequential transmission with a limited slip differential, while flappy paddles on the steering wheel actuate the pneumatic shift system.
Chassis upgrades include double wishbone suspension with four-way adjustable racing dampers all-round, ventilated iron discs gripped by Brembo six-piston and four-piston calipers, and 13 x 18-inch O.Z. Racing wheels wrapped in 310/710 Pirelli tyres.
Externally there’s an aggressive carbon fibre aero package, which comprises of a front splitter, colossal rear wing and widened body panels. Add in lightweight bumpers, hood, sills and fenders, and remove the decadent wood and leather trim and it’s easy to see how the Continental GT3 dips below its target of 1300 kg.
Following its appearance this weekend, the Bentley will start full competition in the FIA Blancpain Series in 2014.
[Source: Bentley]