Bentley heads to the track with new Continental GT3

Earlier this year at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show, Bentley dropped the covers off the third generation Continental GT. Powered by a 6.0-liter biturbo W12 engine and was complete will all the luxurious amenities. Now, the grand tourer has dropped all its premium amenties, the W12 engine and its road-legal status to become a GT3-spec race car.

Based on the third generation Bentley Continental GT, the Continental GT3 has undergone an almost complete exterior makeover. The front bumper now sports an aggressive carbon fiber splitter and canards. Both front and rear fenders have been widened and both have been vented to fit the larger and wider wheels and tires. The rear now sports a massive diffuser coupled with an enormous rear wing. All of the exterior parts have been wind tunnel tested to make it as aerodynamic as possible.

Underneath the hood, the biturbo W12 has been ditched in favor of an improved version of Bentley's biturbo 4.0-liter V8, which has been fitted with a new dry sump sytem, intake and exhaust. Unrestricted, it produces excess of 550 PS with power sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed sequential gearbox.

In order to be competitive, the Continental GT3 had undergone a massive diet thanks to carbon fiber. Specifically, it has managed to shave off 944 kg over the road-going Continental as the GT3 only weighs 1,300 kg. New Alcon brakes have also been installed together with racing suspension in order to ensure it stops and turns properly.

At the moment, Bentley's new GT3 race car is undergoing a six-month testing phase to ensure it will be competitive. It is set to go on sale in June next year and will make its racing debut at the opening round of the 2018 Blancpain GT Series Endurance Cup.