The Continental GT3-R is Bentley's fastest road-going model, turning 0 to 60 in just 3.6 seconds.

While the name, Bentley, might readily bring to mind the image of a lavishly outfitted British luxury sedan, or perhaps a coupe or convertible, the maker earned its chops with a series of notable wins at Le Mans back in the 1920s. And it’s working to remind the world that it still builds plenty of performance into today’s products, as well.

It recently returned to motor sports after a long absence and, after an eight-decade drought, proved its potential with a win at the Blancpain Endurance Series at Silverstone, in the UK with its GT3 racer.

Now, for those who have the money, and the desire to translate track results to the street, Bentley has come up with the limited-edition Continental GT3-R. Set for delivery late this year, the Crewe-based carmaker plans to produce just 300 copies.

Picking up where the Continental GT Speed leaves off, the maker turns to its Bentley Motorsport division to do a near-complete makeover of the familiar coupe. Out go the rear seats while other weight-saving moves trim a full 220 pounds off the heft of the big Continental GT coupe.

The GT3-R shares the same basic 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 as Bentley's new race car.

That said, the GT3-R still weighs in at an imposing 4,839 pounds – which makes it all the more impressive when you consider the Motorsports team has found a way to launch all that from 0 to 60 in a mere 3.6 seconds. Top speed is rated at 170 mph.

“The experience of driving a Continental GT3-R is awe-inspiring, and takes the dynamic abilities of our Grand Tourer to new heights,” suggests Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors. “To be a true Bentley, the GT3-R had to be the most luxurious track-inspired Grand Tourer ever, and this car pushes our trademark combination of luxury and performance to a new level.”

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While not quite the same powertrain as the GT3 racer, the GT3-R shares the track model’s basic 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8. It churns out a hefty 572 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. To put that in perspective, that’s 51 hp and 14 lb-ft more than the Continental GT V8 S.

Power is routed through a ZF 8-speed automatic gearbox that has been given shorter gearing than the rest of the Continental line. The GT3-R’s all-wheel-drive system has been tuned for rear bias, but the new model features torque vectoring which, for the uninitiated, moves power to the wheels that need it most. In a corner, for example, the outer wheels get more torque to help steer you through the turn.

The GT3-R makes extensive use of carbon fiber and features classic Bentley racing green accents.

The Bentley Continental GT3-R chassis has been tuned, the maker says, for cornering, and it gets help from a customized air suspension system, and a “sport-focused” Electronic Stability Control system.

“We’ve differentiated the Drive and Sport modes further to give the driver a choice between a relaxed and refined Grand Tourer and a sharp supercar with instant responses. The reflexes of the car are matched by the throttle response from our redeveloped V8 engine, and the new turbochargers eliminate turbo lag,” explained Bentley engineering chief Rolf Frech.

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To scrub off all that speed, the GT3-R gets massive, racing-inspired carbon silicon carbide brakes. Bentley notes that it can scrub off enough kinetic energy in a single stop “to power a family home for six hours.” Those brakes will be hidden – just barely – behind new 21-inch light alloy wheels.

Among the other details that differentiate the new model from other members of the Continental family:

*A lightweight titanium exhaust system that Bentley says also enhances the “unique baritone roar” of the GT3-R under hard acceleration;

* The front seats are replaced by twin racing buckets with carbon fiber shells and are covered with a pairing of Alcantara and leather;

* The dashboard and center console make use of carbon fiber, as well;

* So do the new front splitter, rear wing and hood cooling vents.

All 300 copies of the Bentley Continental  GT3-R will be finished in Glacier White, with contrasting green accents.

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