Bentley Continental GT3-R Review

Bentley GT3-R

In the rarified arena of super-premium luxury automobiles, two names are highly recognizable: Bentley and Rolls-Royce. Rolls Royce acquired Bentley in 1931. Then in 1997, Volkswagen Group purchased Bentley from Rolls Royce. 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.

Bentley GT3-R Review

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.

Bentley GT3R

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 572hp, along with 516 foot-pounds of torque. And 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 592hp and 553 foot-pounds of torque. Even though the GT3 R weighs in at 4840 pounds, the car leaps from 0 to 60 in 3.6 seconds.

Bentley GT3-R Interior

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.

Bentley GT3-R

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 Continental GT3R Seats

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 Continental GT3-R

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 $339,725, which is almost half again as much as the standard Continental S.

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