Tag: Continental GT

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Bentley Motorsports

Bentley seeks rally inspiration for GT3 racer

Bentley Continental GT3 concept

Bentley’s return to competitive GT3 racing has taken another positive step with the signing of a technical partnership with Malcolm Wilson’s M-Sport.

We’ll be seeing Bentley on track late next year with a fully developed version of the Continental GT3 concept first shown at the Paris Motor Show in September.

Malcolm Wilson says he is honoured to be chosen by the iconic British marque: “Joining forces with Bentley to help create the new Continental GT3 is a rare privilege.

“Bentley’s design and analysis work to-date has shown that the Continental GT road car can become an extremely competitive race car, and we are looking forward to capitalising on our extensive competition car development experience and success to help Bentley realise its goals.”

While Brian Gush, Director of Motorsport, says Bentley is keen to see its new racer develop: “Not only do we now have a world-beating operation in M-Sport as our new Technical Partner, but we have the honour of showing our Continental GT3 concept at Autosport International.

“The car continues to attract interest from around the globe, which is very encouraging as we progress the detail design. The whole team is looking forward to the exciting months ahead.”

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Bentley Motor Shows Motorsports

Paris 2012: Bentley Continental GT3 concept

Bentley Continental GT3 concept

The highlight of Bentley’s stand at the Pairs Motor Show is their Continental GT3 concept. It’s based on the Continental GT Speed and is set to hit racetracks late next year.

It’ll be great seeing the big Bentley mixing it with the best on offer from the likes of Audi, Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche and others.

There’s been no confirmation of the Continental GT3’s drivetrain, but it will be rear-wheel drive the main discussion point is the engine: will it be the 6.0 W12 or a 4.0 litre V8? One thing is clear—in GT3 trim—Bentley’s Continental looks as good as it ever has.

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Bentley

The new Bentley Continental GT, now in video

Bentley Continental GT

Following the release of images of the new Continental GT from Bentley you can now feast your eyes on a new video clip. Despite ending somewhat abruptly the footage has a great blend of imagery featuring production and design techniques interwoven with the big GT driving around the Ascari race track.

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Bentley

The new Bentley Continental GT

Bentley Continental GT

Back in 2003 Bentley launched a new Continental GT. It was one of the first models to emerge under Volkswagen ownership. It was a great looking car. It had a big, demanding presence, while having some of the nicest curves in the game. That’s a picture of it above. Looks great, doesn’t it. Well, as it happens, that is actually the new Continental GT. Yep, it’s a brand spanker.

So the gentlefolk at Crewe have taken the evolution path, then. And why not, this new Continental GT looks fantastic. To be fair, the car looks even more svelte than before. The iconic crease lines over the wheel arches are what gives this grand tourer its classic shape, perfectly complemented by the well crafted roofline.

The GT is still powered by a 6.0 litre W12. Manufacturing improvements now see that lump producing 423kW (575 PS) and 700Nm. The GT still looks big, so it should come as no surprise, then, that she tips the scales at 2320kg. Despite that, when coupled with a new ZF 6-speed auto and Volkwagen Group’s Torsen all-wheel drive system, the GT can reach 100km/h in 4.6 seconds. That’s a couple of tenths quicker than a BMW M3. If you keep your right foot buried into the floor, you’ll reach 160km.h in 10.2 seconds.

Continuing the bold statements made by this car is the fuel consumption. It’s very bold, actually. The overall combined rating is 16.5l/100km. But I guess sir won’t be too fussed by trivial matters of his Bentley’s fuel consumption.

Coming in late 2011 is a high-output, high-efficiency V8. That sounds suspiciously like the terms used to describe the engine in the Audi RS5. Coming up after the break are more pics and an extensive press release with thanks to the Bentley PR department.

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