Bentley Continental GT3 race car revealed

Based on the Bentley Continental GT road car, the new Continental GT3 race car is a sharper, harder, lighter version of the British luxo-GT.

With a kerb weight of “significantly less than” 1300kg and a race-ready weight distribution, the GT3 version of the Continental should prove to ditch the ‘big and heavy’ tags attached to the road car.

Bentley’s twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 scores a new dry-sump design and a new intake and exhaust system. It puts out more than 405kW, though parity rules mean that will probably fluctuate.

Designed by a mix of in-house staff at Bentley Motorsport and its partner M-Sport, the Continental GT3 will be available to customers in 2018.

Bentley Motorsport director Brian Gush says the Continental’s previously successful DNA runs through this car, though with changes everywhere to improve upon its base.

“After four years of success with our Continental GT3, we’re excited to reveal our second-generation car,” Gush says.

“The new car leaves no area or system untouched in the search for even better performance and the early test results are promising.

“The new Continental GT road car has proved to be a great starting point for the development of a new racer, and the engineering development work is true to Bentley’s impeccable standards.”

Bentley Continental GT rally car sells for $69K

Bentley adds the new car has already begun a six-month test programme to ensure development of the GT3 car has gone to plan.

The new Bentley Continental GT3 car will make its race debut at 2018 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup at Monza