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Bentley Continental GT3-R: 426kW/700Nm V8 coupe revealed

Although it's certainly not the most powerful Continental GT, Bentley says that new V8 Bentley Continental GT3-R is the most dynamic car that it has built since Volkswagen took over.


Said to be inspired by Bentley's 441kW Continental GT3 race cars, the road legal GT3-R will be limited to a production run of just 300 units. All will wear a white suit with two-tone green highlights and glossy black trim. Standard fixtures will include carbonfibre splitters, bonnet vents and rear wing.

Under the bonnet is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that has been tuned for 426kW of power and 700Nm of torque; up from the 389kW/680Nm delivered by the Continental GT V8 S.

Power is channeled to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. For the GT3-R the auto features shorter gearing, and reworked Drive and Sport modes. The GT3-R's all-wheel drive system is the first from Bentley to feature torque vectoring for the rear wheels.

To go with the added mumbo, Bentley has stripped 100 kilograms from the Continental. Part of the weight loss programme includes a 7kg lighter titanium exhaust system that, according to Bentley, gives the GT3-R a "unique baritone roar".

The added power and discarded weight help the GT3-R complete the 0-100km/h standard in 3.8 seconds - making it the fastest accelerating Bentley ever - and hit a top speed of 273km/h.

The Bentley Continental GT3-R uses a retuned version of the air-sprung suspension from the V8 S. This is attached to a set of 21-inch alloy wheels shod with Pirelli tyres. The stability control software has been tweaked to improve cornering dynamics, while stopping power is delivered via carbon silicon carbide brakes with 420mm discs up front and 356mm discs at the rear.

More weight savings come from the stripped down cabin that now seats only two. The driver and passenger are treated to new bucket seats with Beluga black leather on the bolsters and head rest. Diamond-quilted Alcantara can be found in the centre of the front pews, as well as on the door trims. Any luggage thrown into back of the cabin, where the rear seats normally are, will be treated to a mix of leather, carbon fibre and quilted Alcantara.

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