Continental GT Bentley Continental GT3 Concept: 2012 Paris Auto Show

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Bentley Continental GT3 Concept: 2012 Paris Auto Show​

Although you’d never guess it from Bentley’s current product line, the luxury automaker has a long history of motorsports glory. From 1927 through 1930, Bentley dominated the competition at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, taking first place in four consecutive years (and capturing first through fourth place in 1929).

The post-war years saw Bentley changing its focus to luxury over sport, and it wasn’t until 2001 that Bentley returned to Le Mans competition with its EXP Speed 8. The lessons learned from this car helped Bentley to engineer the Speed 8, which took first place at Le Mans in 2003.

In the years since, Bentley has been absent from motorsport competition, but recent rumors had the brand eyeing a return to racing, likely with a Continental Supersports model developed for GT3 racing. It now appears those rumors are true, since Bentley will be showing its Continental GT3 concept racer at this week’s Paris Auto Show.
Compared to a production Bentley Continental GT, it’s easy to spot the GT3’s front splitter, wider bodywork and side-facing exhaust. The oversized rear wing is hard to miss, as are the hood vents that extract heat and reduce front-end lift at speed.

Though debuting the Continental GT3 as a concept (since the car remains under development), Bentley is serious returning to racing late in 2013. A test program for the car is set to begin early next year, and early results will indicate how much additional work is needed before the car can be campaigned.

Giving an idea of the company’s mindset on racing, Chairman and Chief Executive Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber said, “The clear message from our customers is that Bentley belongs on the racetrack, and the Continental GT3 is the realization of a dream we’ve had ever since the launch of the Continental GT.”

Schreiber went on to say that the Continental GT3, “establishes a solid foundation for Bentley’s long-term motorsport plans.” As fans of both Bentley and motorsports in general, we certainly like the sound of that.

- http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1079436_bentley-continental-gt3-concept-2012-paris-auto-show

 

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Bentley unveils new Continental GT3 concept racer

Based on Bentley's fastest ever road car - the new GT Speed

FIA-approved concept with 2013 test programme in development

(Paris, 26 September 2012). At the 2002 Paris Motor Show, the unveiling of the Continental GT concept took the world by storm and opened an exciting new chapter in Bentley's history. Now, ten years on, Bentley is repeating the same feat with a Continental-based GT3 race car currently being developed by a dedicated motorsport team at the company's factory in Crewe.

Signalling Bentley's return to the racetrack for the first time since its historic sixth Le Mans victory in 2003, Continental GT3 remains faithful to the company's founding motorsport philosophy of developing racing cars from their road-going counterparts.

Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, Bentley's Chairman and Chief Executive, comments: "The clear message from our customers is that Bentley belongs on the racetrack, and the Continental GT3 is the realisation of a dream we've had ever since the launch of the Continental GT. The new GT Speed is the perfect car for us to develop into a racer, and our work so far has shown huge potential. The Continental GT3 is set to show the world what the Continental GT is capable of in its most extreme form, and establishes a solid foundation for Bentley's long-term motorsport plans."

The new Continental GT Speed is a refined, luxury grand tourer but which, if the driver demands, has a distinctly hard-edged sporting character. With exceptional levels of instantly accessible performance, the GT Speed, the fastest road-going Bentley ever, is a supercar that can be used every day, whatever the weather and road conditions. The Continental GT3 concept capitalises on the prodigious performance, outstanding high-speed stability and renowned durability of Bentley's iconic coupe, while tailoring its specification for the track with the adoption of a rear-wheel drive chassis in accordance with the regulations, state-of-the-art motorsport hardware and a comprehensive aerodynamic package. The dramatic livery of the car enhances the muscular, sculpted form of the Continental GT Speed while remaining proudly patriotic with the inclusion of Union flags.

With the Continental GT3 concept receiving the full support of the FIA, Bentley is returning to the motorsport arena towards the end of 2013 with a GT race car capable of competing with the very best, in the true Bentley tradition.

Equipped for endurance as well as outright speed, the new Bentley competitor will be eligible to race in a range of race series and events, up to and including 24-hour marathons.

Heading the development of the Continental GT3 is Bentley's Director of Chassis, Powertrain and Motorsport, Brian Gush. Having led the programme that famously saw a brace of Bentley Speed 8 prototype racers take a dominant and dramatic one/two at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2003, Brian is well placed to lead Bentley's return to competitive racing.

Development of the Continental GT3 will continue over the coming months in the build-up to the start of a test programme in 2013. More information and details about Bentley's return to motorsport will be released in the near future.

- http://www.autoblog.com/2012/09/26/bentley-unveils-continental-gt3-racer/