Oct 23, 2014 3:28 PM

Gallery: Bentley Bolsters Its Racing Reputation With a $337K Beast

Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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The GT3-R represents a big step away from the living room for Bentley.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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The car lets non-professional drivers with fat wallets get in on Bentley's revived interest in racing.

Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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Air scoops on the car's bonnet help release air pressure and bring cool air into the engine.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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Bentley slapped on a carbon fiber front splitter and rear wing to improve airflow and generate more downforce, which helps keep the car on the ground.

Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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Bentley lowered the gear ratios to keep the car in each gear longer, improving acceleration. While the GT V8 runs from 0 to 60 mph in an impressive 4.6 seconds, the GT3-R does it in just 3.6.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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Even at 90 mph, the GT3-R feels quiet and luxurious.

Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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Unlike most Bentleys, this isn’t a car you can have customized however you want.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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Even the color (“glacier white” with lots of racing green accents) is predetermined.

Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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The upgraded performance comes at the cost of fuel economy. The track-loving Bentley will go just 13 miles on a gallon of gas (premium, naturally) in the city, and 20 on the highway. Drive it like the rich hooligan the car’s designed for, and we bet those numbers will dip even lower.
Josh Valcarcel/WIRED
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The GT3-R is very powerful. It’s very fast. It produces a lovely exhaust burble when you come off the throttle quickly. It handles surprisingly well, thanks to torque vectoring that uses the rear brake to pull the front of the car in, minimizing understeer.

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