ED209
[Purist]
7307
Bentley Continental GT3-R test drive
Recently two PuristS spent some time in the
drivers seat of the Bentley Continental GT3-R. In a previous
teaser here on the PuristSPro Automotive forum, Dr. Mao mentioned the
GT3-R as '...incredible performance car that also cradles its driver in
the highest levels of luxury'. What a great way to describe
this rare Bentley!
So prior to our driving experience with the Bentley GT3-R, I was at the 2015 Grand Prix of Long Beach in April and watched round 5 of the Pirelli World Challenge for the GT, GTA and GT Cup Class. Chris Dyson in the #16 Bentley Team Dyson Racing Continental GT3 made his way to the GT Winner's Podium with a 2nd place finish behind Olivier Beretta in the Ferri Motorsports Ferarri 458 GT3 Italia.
In between practice sessions, we stopped by the paddock area in the main Long Beach convention center expo to check out the Bentley GT3 race cars being tuned by the team. It was pretty amazing to see the race cars and the similarities to the GT3-R that we test drove.
Back to the
Bentley Continental GT3-R, we arrived at a beautiful private residence
in the Beverly Hills area overlooking the Sunset
Strip.
We
were greeted by the GT3-R and the Bentley Mulsanne Speed.
The GT3-R is based on the Continental GT V8 S and the engine specifications are pretty impressive. The 4.0 liter V8 twin turbo powerplant produces 572hp and 516 ft/lbs of torque that propels the driver and passenger from 0 to 60 in just 3.6 seconds. I'd like to mention that Bentley did a phenomenal job with the engine exhaust note. As a driver and when I was trailing in the Mulsanne, the burbles and pops from the exhaust note was beautiful.
View from the drivers seat. The
engine is paired with the Bentley 8 speed Quickshift transmission which
has been tuned for fast shifting with the two paddles or just use the
sport mode button which holds the car in lower
gears.
The interior was a departure from what I typically find in a Bentley, but still with high quality and luxurious appointments. I think this may be one of the first Bentley's with no wood in the interior.
You can still see the hand-crafted workmanship with the Alcantara and Beluga hide sports seats and plenty of carbon fiber panels everywhere. Interior trim was accented in racing green.
Nice hefty car keys. The start/stop engine button is located at the center console, I personally prefer that it is dash mounted.
More carbon fiber pieces on the exterior and interior
The GT3-R is still a heavy car weighing in at 4840 pounds but to lighten up the car by 200+ pounds the rear seats were taken out and replaced with more carbon fiber paneling and thinner pile carpet. More green trim with diamond pleated details becomes a small shelf for personal items.
Carbon fiber aerodynamic wing is non adjustable but also subtle in appearance. I think it blends nicely with the overall shape of the GT body style.
Titanium exhaust system delivers a throaty V8 melodies on downshifts.
Wheels are massive 21" forged with Pirelli 275/40 tires and ceramic brakes.
Limited to just 300 cars, the GTR-3 will be rare but those few lucky owners in California will have the largest allocation in the world. Hope you enjoyed the pictures of this incredibly fast and luxurious Bentley GTR-3.
Regards,
ED-209
Bentley Continental GT3-R test drive
Re cently two PuristS spent some time in the drivers seat of the Bentley Continental GT3-R. In a previous teaser here on the PuristSPro Automotive forum, Dr. Mao mentioned the GT3-R as '...incredible performance car that also cradles its driver in the hig...
driving impressions
Thanks TM. Looking forward to hearing your driving impressions of the GT3R. Regards, Ed
I really like those green accents !
The rear spoiler might be a touch too much for a Bentley ... but as this is supposed to be a pretty unusual Bentley i don't really see a problem ...but the Finnish (carbon) is quite astounding ! I do wonder if i will ever see one in Belgium ? Bim
The GT3R is definitely a rare car
More carbon fiber than I've ever seen in a Bentley, makes it really sporty. Only 300 made and most of it is going to the US, but hope you get a chance to see one in Belgium some day. The color scheme (and the carbon wing too LOL) is eye catching so I'm su...
Great photos and info, like the green accents but...
I'm just not ready for Bentley now, the overall design seems it's targeting "majestic", "royal" and to be chauffered around kind of car for me....prefer sleeker designs. Thanks for sharing, Ed. Rgds Raymond
It's an interesting car
Stately and luxurious when it wants to be, and then has the muscle behind it just in case... :) We also drove the Mulsanne and that is definitely a Bentley to be chauffuered in. Rear passengers have a motorized desk with ipad and keyboard, and the center ...
Bet that was a fun test drive.
Probably one of the most comfortable cars that can push the limits so high. Best, JerryW
Lots of fun
Definitely lots of fun to test drive even in traffic. Very comfortable that has the performance when needed. It's a heavy car but does well. Regards, ED-209
Nice!
The ultimate driver's Bentley Continental GT! And no luxury lost really... Just amazing luxury throughout with race-y materials. I really like the exterior look. Green accents actually look pretty good artistically. But they're also too high profile for m...
How did you like the green leather accents?
Do you think you'd get tired of seeing the green? And did you manage to get an audio file of the exhaust? I'd love to hear the pops and bubbles of the exhaust when the car is slowing down. I love these sounds on my GranTurismo. My wife says my car farts a...
I don't mind the green
I personally don't like the GT3R script on the side of the Bentley. The green is nice even in the interior, gives it a really sporty look. Videos don't capture the sound of the engine. Regards, ED-209
Glad you enjoyed the experience, Ed
it is a surprising mix, the typical Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde experience of driving a Bentley, extremely luxurious in its execution and rewarding but at the same time contradicting with its power ready to become more evil. It was a challenge to maxe it more...
great experience
Thanks Luc! Very cool to know that there are different color schemes selected for such a rare car. Without the stickers the black and grey ones would be a really stealthy stop light drag car Regards, ED-209
Actually those were all individualised cars . The only official color scheme was white
With green stickers like the race cars but you can trust bentley customers for their desire for bespoke cars.
Btw, finally saw the Bentley GT3R Continental in the flesh today
at the dealership and it was visually very impressive to the eyes! This dealership had both the white & black models. I prefer the black one but my wife likes the white one. OooOoo if I only asked the sales person to turn on the car so I could hear th...