Posted September 23, 2013 by 99MilesPerHour1 Comment Bentley

Bentley Continental GT3

Bentley enters the world of Motorsports…….

Here is a new side of Bentley you’ve never seen before

Bentley has entered the world of motorsports. Bentley Motorsport Ltd was created to manage this exciting new dimension of growth. This division is home to the special design team and actual production to the newly developed Bentley GT3 project. The Key sponsor is Exxon Mobil. Exxon has a proven track record with success in motorsports bringing championships to victory. The GT3 will utilize Mobile1 synthetic motor oil because it guarantees maximum engine protection and performance in the grueling pace of endurance racing.

Bentley M-Sport was formed in 1979. In 1994 M-Sport won national rally titles in Italy, Portugal, the Middle East, and the UK. The GT3 project is led by Chief Designer Graham Humphreys and M-Sport’s Chief Engineer Christian Loriaux. Bentley M-Sport Ltd is based at Crewe. An additional design office was created at M-Sport for the detail and design stages, and the actual production of the GT3.

Despite its motorsport set-up, it is still a hand-crafted Bentley. The Continental GT3 is the extreme and unrestricted version of the Bentley Continental GT. It debuted July 12, 2013 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. The infamous modern-day “Bentley Boy” Guy Smith drove the GT3 twice a day during the festivities.

The 4.0 litre alloy twin-turbo V8 was reconfigured producing 600 bhp in race specifications. A comprehensive aerodynamic package ensures motorsport protocol is followed. The engine is re-positioned to the rear of the engine bay. It uses a Cosworth engine management system. The already potent Bentley Continental GT engine is transformed into a formidable racing machine.

The GT3 has a race-prepared and dry sump version of this powerful 4.0 litre V8 engine with many of the Continental GT’s street attributes carried over unmodified. This power plant is compact and lightweight in design making it perfect for the racing circuit. A carbon-fibre propshaft is fitted to an X-track 6-speed sequential gearbox with a limited slip differential. It is mounted as a transaxle for excellent weight distribution. Paddles fitted behind the steering wheel control pneumatic gear actuations. Bentley’s wins at the 24 hours de LeMans and Brooklands shows they didn’t make it by traveling in the “big-wheel” lane!

The GT3 has a race-tuned suspension. It uses a double wishbone set-up front and rear. The road car air springs are replaced with four-way adjustable racing dampers. The GT3 uses hydraulic power steering. The Brembo brake system includes ventilated discs with six-piston calipers in the front with four-piston calipers fitted to the rear.

The Bentley designers created an aero-body kit to perform competitively. Its downforce is managed by its top mounted carbon-fibre splitter in the front. The design of the bonnet, bumpers, fenders, and sills were modified to not only maintain stability and a lower drag coefficient, but the shape also manages the cooling air to the engine. The cabin was tubbed out with any weight that could be removed to optimize the power-to-weight ratio.

Bentley has begun developmental track preparations to optimize the performance based upon track simulations to refine the Continental GT3 before its competition in the FIA Blancpain Series in 2014. The GT3 will enter its first developmental race once FIA protocol has been completed. For safety, an FIA-spec rollcage, Sparco six-point FIA safety harness, on-board fire extinguisher, and on-board pneumatic jack system was installed. The GT3 is powered by an FIA-spec fuel cell. Track spec ABS and traction control were added to maintain poise at high speeds. No matter what set-up, a Bentley has road manners with precision. With Exxon Mobil as a partner, Bentley Motorsports will be a true winner for certain!

Bentley Motors has made a quantum leap into technology under the leadership of the Volkswagen Group. The brand is no longer a “clone” designed to mimic a “clone.” Bentley is now free to pursue a vast new world of opportunity. Considering the illustrious Bentley heritage, the entry into the world of motorsports was obvious. Bentley has always been renowned for high-revs at low rpm.

The grandest of all grand tourers has made an exciting new comeback. From the luxurious GranTurismo the Continental GT….to the luxurious Flying Spur….to the decadently luxurious Mulsanne….and now, the entry into motorsport…..the new Bentley offers safety, speed, and reliability on the grand Bentley scale in the grand Bentley manner….the Bentley brand no longer has a sibling throwing it shade! Bentley has an optimistic outlook on the future of motoring…..while creating milestones in the process. “Nil fato relinquemus.”