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Bentley Continental GT2 planned

Bentley boss Durheimer confirms new flagship Continental will have 650bhp and is set to leave the current Supersport trailing

Bentley Continental GT2

By Dan Strong

03rd October 2011

Bentley will launch a GT2 version of its top-selling Continental next year, new boss Wolfgang Durheimer has told Auto Express.

The model will be at least 200kg lighter than the standard GT, weighing 2,200kg, and will develop a staggering 650bhp – that’s nearly 100bhp more than the regular coupe. This would mean a 0-60mph sprint time of less than four seconds and a top speed of well over 200mph.

Durheimer would not confirm whether the GT2 will use the existing W12 engine or the new twin-turbo V8, due in 2012.

But as both engines are believed to be capable of generating more than 600bhp, it’s thought both are being tested.

Company insiders described the project to us in detail, and are promising the limited edition will be the fastest, most spectacular and most powerful road car Bentley has ever built. Our sources also tipped the GT2 to be the first Continental to ditch the four-wheel-drive system.

The car was presented to bosses at a secret meeting earlier this year. Durheimer explained to us that its arrival would help Bentley widen the appeal of the Continental family, and improve on the performance of the line-up’s current flagship, the GT Supersport.

“I definitely think there is room for a car with more power than the Supersport,” Durheimer told us. “I also think some of what we did with the Supersport in the past wasn’t quite right. For example, it should not be a two-seater. That layout should be reserved for the top-line cars.”

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2 Comments

LIghtweight Bentley Continental??

Look out, Caterham. Next thing you know the Bentley guys will make something like the Superlight R500. I get a kick out of the Lambo Superleggera also. All things are relative, I guess.

By LotusYank on 4 October, 2011, 7:28pm

I adore Bentleys, and specifically the Continental, however my major gripe is the Continentals are excessively heavy, as are most, if not all, cars in this league. Leviathans! Surely the answer to make them go faster is more than the real dumb "lets just make the engine stupidly powerful". Of course, Bentley would have to be removing some serious hardware to save 200kgs, and 4WD was a no-brainer. Is the V8 lighter than the W12??
When the car is sorted, and they are taking orders, mine will be absolutely only on it being painted.......I DONT want a body-in-white car thanks. Shame Bentley on such superficial follow-the-leader shallow trends. Does it save much weight when the cars are not painted a proper colour? Kitchen appliances are white!!

By barina47 on 5 October, 2011, 2:08am

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