Bentley has revealed full specs of their new Continental GT3 Race Car makings its official appearance at the 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed today. The racing machine is set to explore the extreme potential of Bentley’s iconic Grand Tourer, the Continental GT.
The Continental GT3 is powered by a race-prepared and dry-sump version of Bentley’s powerful but efficient 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 – 600HP (441 kW). Power is transmitted to the rear wheels via a carbon fibre propshaft to an Xtrac 6-speed sequential gearbox with a limited slip differential, mounted as a transaxle for optimised weight distribution. Gear actuations are completed via a pneumatic shift system, controlled by paddles mounted to the steering wheel.
Bentley Continental GT3 Race Car comes with a 4-way adjustable racing dampers, hydraulic power-assistance steering, ventilated iron discs combined with 6-piston calipers on the front and 4-piston calipers on the rear.
The exterior boasts a comprehensive aerodynamic package , to maximise downforce with optimised drag. It includes a top-mounted carbon fibre rear wing, a carbon fibre splitter, new front bonnet, bumpers, fenders and sills.
With the removal of the leather and wood interior trim, the production electrical systems and advanced refinement materials that make the Continental GT such a capable Grand Tourer, the Continental GT3 weighs in under its target of 1300 kg. Despite the race-specification, the GT3 remains a hand-crafted Bentley, with the steering wheel, door pulls and seat all hand-trimmed and stitched by Bentley craftspeople at Crewe.
The car will also be on display in the F1 paddock, while the original Continental GT3 Concept Racer, unveiled at the Paris Auto Salon last September, can be seen inside the Bentley stand in the main paddock.
| Continental GT3 Specifications | |
| Engine | 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, repositioned to the rear of the engine bay, Cosworth engine management system |
| Power | Approx. 600 bhp derestricted |
| Oil System | Dry sump |
| Transmission | Rear wheel drive, Xtrac six-speed sequential transaxle gearbox, racing clutch, steering wheel mounted paddle operated pneumatic gear shift |
| Drivetrain | Carbon fibre propshaft, limited slip differential |
| Suspension | Double wishbone suspension front and rear, four-way adjustable racing dampers |
| Steering | Hydraulic power-assisted steering |
| Brakes | Ventilated iron disc brakes front and rear, Brembo six-piston front calipers, four-piston rear calipers, driver-adjustable brake bias |
| Safety | FIA-specification steel roll cage, Sparco six-point FIA safety harness, onboard fire extinguisher, onboard pneumatic jack system. |
| Fuel System | FIA-specification racing fuel cell |
| Electronics | Race-specification ABS and traction control. Lightweight race battery. |
| Wheels | OZ Racing 18” x 13” rims |
| Tyres | 310 / 710 R18 |
| Aerodynamics | Carbon fibre front splitter, rear wing and body panels. Lightweight, aerodynamically-optimised bumpers, bonnet, sills and fenders |
| Length | 4950 mm |
| Width | 2030 mm |
| Height | 1350 mm |
| Weight | <1300 kg |
| Weight Distribution | 52 : 48 |
Source: Bentley
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