Bentley reserves 99 Continental GT3-Rs for North America at $337k apiece

Tue, 12 Aug 2014

Whether they're powered by V8 or W12 engines, the Bentley Continental GT just keeps getting faster and faster. The new Continental GT Speed, for example, is the fastest road-going Bentley ever made, capable of reaching 206 miles per hour. And the Continental GT3-R is the quickest-accelerating Bentley yet, capable of hitting 60 in just 3.6 seconds.

In other words, if you want to get your hands on one, you'll need to act fast. Bentley is only making 300 examples of the GT3-R, but while it is said to have already sold out the entire production run, it has been kind enough to keep 99 examples on the side just for the North American market.

The road-going embodiment of the Continental GT3 racer, the GT3-R packs a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 tuned up to 572 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. That makes it 72 hp and 29 lb-ft stronger than the base Continental GT V8, or 43 hp and 14 lb-ft more muscular than the GT V8 S, about on par with the W12 model but 54 hp and 89 lb-ft shy of the latest GT Speed. But thanks to its lighter weight (inherent in the eight-cylinder model and stripped of a further 220 pounds in the GT3-R), it trounces them all in the sprint to 60.

The price of admission, however, is also higher than anything else Bentley makes: at a whopping $337,000, it's nearly twice as expensive as a base V8 model, a good 50 percent more than the GT Speed, about fifty grand more than the previous range-topping Supersports model and more than even the top-of-the-line Mulsanne.

The Continental GT3-R makes its US debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this weekend.

CONTINENTAL GT3-R MAKES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUT AT 2014 PEBBLE BEACH

- Limited edition Bentley Performance Model to be shown during Monterey Auto Week
- Complete Bentley product range on display at the Home of Bentley

(Pebble Beach, 11th August 2014) Making its North American debut at this year's Pebble Beach is the new Continental GT3-R – the most dynamic and fastest-accelerating Bentley ever produced.

Inspired by Bentley's race-winning Continental GT3 race car, the GT3-R is powered by Bentley's race and road proven 4.0 litre V8 engine. Bentley engineers have developed a retuned version of the high performance 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 for this new two-seater GT. Developing 572 bhp and 516 lb-ft of torque, together with a 220 lb weight reduction and shorter gearing, the Continental GT3-R is the fastest-accelerating Bentley ever. Capable of reaching 60 mph from a standstill in just 3.6 seconds, the GT3-R is a Grand Tourer with the performance of a racer.

Hand-built in Crewe, England, the car will be finished by Bentley's motorsport department. The GT3-R is limited to just 300 examples globally, 99 of which are bound for the US market with four more destined for the Canadian market. Pricing for the racing inspired Continental GT3-R is set at $337,000 USD. Dealers are now accepting orders for the Continental GT3-R, with deliveries to start in the Americas Region in the first quarter of 2015.

Christophe Georges, President and CEO, Bentley Motors, Inc. comments: "Pebble Beach is the perfect location for the debut of the rarest and most dynamic Continental GT, the GT3-R. It is a testament to the Bentley trademarks of luxury and performance and we're excited to share it with the friends of Bentley during this gathering of fine automobiles."

Continental GT3-R Highlights

All 300 Continental GT3-R models take design inspiration from the GT3 racer and will feature a Glacier White exterior, highlighted by the use of two-tone green graphics that trace the two prominent power lines to the side profile of the car. A new front splitter provides an assertive look to the front of the car, balanced by a new fixed rear wing fitted to the boot lid – both finished in carbon fibre. Additional unique exterior features adding to the sporting design include gloss black headlamp bezels, matrix grille, window surrounds and bumper strips. The look is complemented by an all-new lightweight 21" wheel finished in gloss black. The theme continues under the bonnet where the 4.0-litre V8 receives a unique GT3-R carbon fibre cover.

Interiors feature a two-seat configuration of new bespoke sporting seats designed for comfort and finished in Beluga black leather with diamond-quilted Alcantara®. In place of the rear seats is a new uniquely trimmed rear cabin, complete with a carbon fibre surround and finished in leather and Alcantara®. Contrasting the Beluga leather and motorsport-inspired materials is a vivid accent green, used as a hide colour on the seats, instrument panel and door panels and in contrast stitching throughout the seats and diamond quilted areas. Unique GT3-R badging adorns the center console and passenger fascia panel, while headrests receive stitched logos in contrast green thread. All 99 models bound for the US will receive sequentially numbered GT3-R sill treadplates identifying the car's one-of-a-kind status.

Bentley at Monterey Auto Week

The inspiration behind the GT3-R – the Continental GT3 race car – will also be on display at a number of locations throughout California's Monterey Peninsula.

The Home of Bentley at Pebble Beach provides the focal point for all Bentley guests during the week. It is home to the full range of Bentley models, The Bentley Luxury Collection and more. The winning GT3 race car will be on display from Thursday through Sunday at The Home.

On Friday, at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, the GT3-R will be on display alongside the GT3 race car and other new road going Bentley models including the flagship Mulsanne sedan and the new 2015 Continental GT Speed Convertible.

On Saturday, Dyson Racing Team Bentley will present the GT3 race car at The Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion held at the Laguna Seca Raceway paddock. Currently competing in the North America Pirelli World Challenge series, the team has competed in a number of races in its first season and is currently preparing for the next race to be held at the Sonoma Grand Prix on Saturday, August 23.

Both cars will again be displayed on the Bentley Concept Lawn Sunday at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance for the conclusion of Monterey Auto Week.

Auctions of Vintage and Classic Cars

Pebble Beach is renowned for its auctions of collectible classic and vintage automobiles. In 2014, the following three classic Bentleys are being auctioned by RM Auctions between Friday August 15th and Saturday August 16th.

- 1931 Bentley 8-Litre Sports Coupe Cabriolet by Barker (presale estimate: $3.75 million - $4.75 million)
- 1937 Bentley 4 1/4 –Litre Open Two-Seater by Carlton (presale estimate: $1.4 million - $1.6 million)
- 1953 Bentley R-Type Continental Sports Saloon by H.J. Mulliner (presale estimate: $900,000 – $1.3 million)

By Noah Joseph