Bentley Continental GT3-R blasts in with 572bhp

Inspired by the success of its Continental GT3 race car, Bentley has revealed its most focused road car yet – the Continental GT3-R.

The model will be limited to just 300, and hand-built in Crewe before being finished by Bentley’s Motorsport team. Power comes from a tuned version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which now produces 572bhp – up on the 500bhp in the standard V8 and 521bhp V8 S.

Bentley has managed to shed 100kg of weight over the V8 S, too, through measures such as removing the rear seats and fitting a titanium exhaust.

As a result, the GT3-R can sprint from 0-62mph in 3.8 seconds, which is seven-tenths quicker than a V8 S and four-tenths faster even than the W12-powered Speed model.

The air suspension and dampers are borrowed from the V8 S, but there’s a new torque vectoring system that should help improve cornering.

There’s no mistaking the R for any other Continental thanks to its new fixed rear wing and contrasting bonnet vents. All cars come finished in Glacier White, with GT3-inspired green graphics running down the sides.

The green theme extends to the two-seat cabin, too, with contrast stitching on the steering wheel and diamond-quilted seats, plus green leather either side of the centre console. And there’s plenty of GT3-R badging, including on the door sills, headrests and centre console.

Order books are open now, with deliveries late in the year. Bentley will be revealing official prices at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.