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2013 Bentley Continental GT3 Concept news, pictures, and information | ||
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BENTLEY RETURNS TO MOTORSPORT WITH RACING GT
At the 2002 Paris Motor Show, the unveiling of the Bentley Continental GT3 Concept opened an exciting new chapter in Bentley's history. Now, ten years on, Bentley is repeating the same feat wîth 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, Bentley 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 Bentley 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 Bentley 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 wîth the adoption of a rear-wheel drive chassis in accordance wîth 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 wîth the inclusion of Únion flags.With the Bentley Continental GT3 concept receiving the full support of the FIA, Bentley is returning to the motorsport arena towards the end of 2013 wîth a GT race car capable of competing wîth the very best, in the true Bentley tradition.
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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 Bentley Continental GT3 will continue over the coming months in the build-up to the start of a test programme in 2013.Source - Bentley
BENTLEY SHOWCASES NORTH AMERICAN DEBUTS
•Bentley debuts Continental GT3 concept race car in the ÚS•GT Speed, Bentley's fastest-ever road car, makes ÚS debut
•Sporting derivative of luxury flagship Mulsanne also on stand
•ÚS consolidates its position as Bentley's largest market
(Crewe/Los Angeles, 28 November 2012). Bentley today unveils its Continental GT3 race car in the ÚS for the first time as the company forges ahead wîth its plans to return to motorsport towards the end of 2013. Bentley is also showing its new 205 mph (330 km/h) Continental GT Speed performance flagship, the sister car upon which the GT3 is based and the Mulsanne Mulliner Driving Specification, a highly distinctive and sporting interpretation of its flagship Mulsanne.
Commenting on Bentley's stand at the Los Angeles Show, Rolf Frech, Member of the Board for Engineering, Bentley Motors, said:
'For some time now our customers have been telling us that it is time to return to motorsport. Our ÚS customers are no exception and I am delighted to be showing the Continental GT3 concept race car in LA.
'I am also pleased to introduce the new GT Speed to the ÚS. The Speed has been a sales success story for Bentley ever since it was first unveiled in 2008 and we expect strong interest in the ÚS region.'
Bentley returns to the racetrack
Currently being developed by a dedicated motorsport team at Bentley's headquarters in Crewe, the GT3 concept reaffirms Bentley's philosophy to develop racing cars from their road-going counterparts. Based on the new Continental GT Speed, the fastest road-going Bentley ever, the 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 racetrack.
The GT3 concept features a rear-wheel drive chassis, state-of-the-art motorsport hardware and a comprehensive aerodynamic package to compete in GT racing. Bentley is targeted to return to the motorsport arena towards the end of 2013.
New Bentley GT Speed coupe: the fastest-ever Bentley road-car
Since the launch of the original GT Concept at the Paris Salon in 2002, the W12-engined Continental range has gone from strength to strength wîth over 50,000 sales worldwide, making Bentley's factory in Crewe, England, the largest producer of 12 cylinder engines in the world. The W12 story continues to unfold and remains the ultimate expression of Bentley's engineering strength.
Making its ÚS debut in Los Angeles, the new 205 mph (330 km/h) W-12 engined Continental GT Speed is the fastest road car Bentley has ever produced. As Bentley's new performance flagship, the Continental GT Speed coupe appeals to driving enthusiasts who place a high value on outright performance and agile handling.
The GT Speed develops 616 bhp (625 PS / 460 kW) at 6000 rev/min wîth 800 Nm (590 lb.ft) of torque available from 2000 to 5000 rev/min for instantly accessible high performance. Coupled wîth a new ZF eight-speed close-ratio automatic transmission and state-of-the-art engine management software, the GT Speed dispatches the zero-to-sixty sprint in 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.2s), reaching 100 mph (160 km/h) from a standing start in just 9.0 seconds.
In-gear acceleration is equally breath-taking. The advanced software of the close-ratio 8-speed transmission enables quick-shifting in Sport and Tiptronic modes. The gearbox also features 'block-downshifting', enabling combined downshifts for maximum acceleration. Typically, when cruising in eighth gear, full acceleration is achieved by dropping straight down to fourth.
While this puts the GT Speed at the very top end of automotive performance, the new model retains the driving refinement, supreme comfort, peerless craftsmanship and contemporary luxury associated wîth Bentley cars.
Bentley Mulsanne: the pinnacle of British luxury motoring
The Mulsanne is a pure example of the Grand Touring Bentley combining coach-built elegance and hand crafted luxury wîth immense power and sportiness that together offer the world's most exclusive driving experience. It is a luxury car that makes the joy of driving its central focus. In an era of mass production, it stands at the pinnacle of British luxury motoring.
Bentley is showcasing a highly distinctive and sporting interpretation of its flagship Mulsanne in Los Angeles. The MDS blends a range of striking design features including unique 21-inch alloy wheels, Bentley Flying 'B' wing vents and Diamond Quilted leather trimmed cabin wîth driver-selectable, sports-tuned suspension and §teering, underscoring the performance credentials of Bentley's 6.75 litre V8 ultra-luxury sports sedan. (concept carz)
Bentley continues strong 2012 business performance
Bentley continues to see strong sales growth this year wîth all models contributing to this positive effect. Kevin Rose, Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing, Aftersales, Bentley Motors, comments:
'2012 looks set to be another strong year for Bentley and we are pleased to announce today that last week we exceeded the total sales figure from 2011.
'The ÚS market is playing a crucial role in our success. We continue to show double digit growth and, at the end of Quarter 3, had seen a 25% increase in global sales wîth 5,969 cars delivered to customers. Of these, 1,750 of them were sold here in the ÚS. That makes the Americas our largest market, wîth a 29% increase in sales year on year, which also fought off a strong challenge from China at the beginning of the year.'Source - Bentley
| GREEN FLAG DROPS TO START HISTORIC ENDURANCE RACE | |
 | All the key elements were in place today when the green flag dropped for the 61st Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. Teams and drivers first enjoyed the attention of throngs of fans during the pit walk as national anthems were played in honor of the international drivers, and ceremonial pageantry completed the pre-race fanfare as the Sunshine State lived up to its well-deserved nickname. At the mid-point of the race, the two Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 e-tron Quattro cars looked unassailable in...[Read more...] |
| ENDURANCE WINNERS CONQUER THE CHALLENGES | |
 | After 12 hours of intense racing, the winners of the 61st Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring were greeted by fireworks as they crossed the finish line at Sebring International Raceway. America's oldest circuit is also one of the world's most challenging, in part owing to the flat and featureless landscape. Long straightaways, tight corners and switchbacks contribute to driver fatigue making concentration paramount to staying on the bumpy track which itself generates tremendous stress on the suspensio...[Read more...] |
| TRACK AND PERSONAL RECORDS ACHIEVED DURING QUALIFYING | |
 | A new track record was just one of the highlights from the Qualifying Rounds leading into the 61st Mobil 1 12 Hours of Sebring. And, when the green flag is dropped at 10:30 a.m. EST on 16 March 2013, 42 entries across five classes – P1, P2, PC, GT and GTC – will have their sights set on making history their own at one of America's oldest circuits: Sebring International Raceway. Swiss driver Marcel Fassler drove the #1 Audi Sport Team Joest Audi R18 e-tron Quattro to a fastest lap time of 1:4...[Read more...] |
| UP AND DOWN PRACTICE FOR AUDI SPORT IN SEBRING | |
 | The 61st Annual Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of Sebring kicked off Thursday morning with the first official practice session of the week, and it certainly wasn't short on drama. In the session's opening minute, last year's overall winner Allan McNish spun on cold tires at Turn 12, damaging the nose and front suspension on the No. 2 Audi R18 e-tron quattro. It was a much kinder session for the team's No. 1 Audi R18 factory prototype as Benoit Treluyer turned the fastest lap at 1:45.908 (127.129 mph). ...[Read more...] |
| Bentley Motors' North American Debuts | |
 | •New Continental GT Speed makes N. American debut •EXP 9 F luxury SUV displayed on Concept lawn •Highly prized classic and vintage Bentleys to be auctioned As California's Monterey Peninsula is primed for a week of displays and events involving some of the world's most coveted, historic automobiles, Bentley Motors prepares to share a glimpse into the future with the North American debut of two new models – the Continental GT Speed and the EXP 9 F luxury SUV concept. 'Pebble Beach and ...[Read more...] |
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 2013
Bentley
models |
| Bentley Continental GT Speed Convertible |
| Bentley Continental Le Mans Edition |
| Bentley Mulsanne |
| Bentley Mulsanne LeMans Edition |
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