Bentley Continental GT3-R makes North American debut at 2014 Pebble Beach

MANILA, Philippines - 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 liter V8 engine. Bentley engineers have developed a retuned version of the high-performance 4.0-liter 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 quickest 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 US$337,000. Dealers are now accepting orders for the Continental GT3-R, with deliveries to start in the Americas 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.”

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 trunk lid – both finished in carbon fiber. 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 hood where the 4.0-liter V8 receives a unique GT3-R carbon fiber 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 fiber surround and finished in leather and Alcantara.

Contrasting the Beluga leather and motorsport-inspired materials is a vivid accent green, used as a hide color 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 Motors is the most sought after luxury car brand in the world. 2013 was Bentley’s record year in the company’s 95-year history. Global customer deliveries grew by 19 percent over 2012 to 10,120 cars. At the half year point in 2014, the Americas remained Bentley’s largest sales region, with 1,388 cars delivered. China continued its position as the second biggest market with 1,318 cars, while in Europe, deliveries reached 825 cars. Sales in Bentley’s home market, the UK, were 713 and in the Middle East, Bentley delivered 502 cars. At that stage of 2014, Bentley had nearly 200 dealerships in 54 countries.

Bentley Motors’ headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production of the company’s three model lines, Continental, Flying Spur and Mulsanne. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 3,700 people at Crewe.