2015 Bentley Continental GT3-R
Throughout the brands histories, Bentley was always
the sportier brand, billing itself as “the silent sports car.” In fact, the
primary difference between Bentley and Rolls Royce was that Bentley, from time
to time, would go racing.
From 2001 to 2003, Bentley ran Le Mans
with its Speed 8. And Bentley’s Continental GT3s ran both the 2014 Blancspain
Endurance Series, winning at Silverstone, and the Pirelli World Challenge. Most
marques that go racing, like Ferrari or McLaren, do so to sell cars, which mean
they offer aficionados a sleek a model representing the marque’s racing
heritage. Bentley’s sleek, fast model is the Continental GT3 R, a fast-back,
two-door, stretch sports car.
The power plant of the GT3 R is a
retooled version of the V-8 used in the GT3s. The 244 cubic-inch,
twin-turbocharged motor provides 572 hp, along with 516 foot-pounds of torque.
For those that are hard to please, there is an ‘overboost’ mode that can be
engaged for additional power. For fifteen seconds, the engine will produce
592 hp and 553 foot-pounds of torque. Even though the GT3 R weighs in at 4840
pounds, the car leaps from 0 to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds.
The interior of the GT3 R includes
carbon fiber trim on the doors and the consoles. And the almost fluorescent
green touches inform the driver and the lucky passenger that this is not the
standard, luxurious Bentley that that divas tool around in. The cockpit is
devoid of the wood trim most people associate with Bentleys. The GT3 R’s
diamond-pleated bucket seats provide serious support for serious driving. In
place of back seats, there’s a diamond-pleated package rack.
Despite its heft and length, the GT3 R
handles almost as well as BMW’s M3. Wallowing and swaying are negated by
stiffer springs and retuned shocks. The Pirelli 275/40 tires mounted on 21-inch
wheels grip the road with glue-like precision. Huge, 16.5-inch ceramic brake
discs haul the car to a stop as if it were a much smaller, lighter vehicle.
Bentley has produced a car that achieves
its goal: acceleration, nimbleness and it is fun to drive. The latter quality
is important because the car’s intended buyers aren’t in the market for boring.
Enthusiasts can only hope that the Continental GT3 R is the first of many
performance-based Bentleys to come.
Bentley announced that it will only build 300 of the GT3 R, which means fortunate owners will be part of an elite group. Well-heeled enthusiasts who want one should not let any grass grow under their feet. The price of the Continental GT3 R is US$ 339,725, which is almost half again as much as the standard Continental S.
