What's the news?
The new Bentley Continental GT3 race car is set to make its world dynamic debut at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed. Bentley's latest racer will also headline the manufacturer's largest ever exhibition at Goodwood to date - despite the fact that it still needs a lot of development work before it sees a real race.
Sitting either side of the GT3 is two of the fastest and most powerful Continental models ever produced - the GT Speed and the GT Speed Convertible. Both these models are powered by a 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 engine producing 616hp that is sent to all four wheels. This results in a 0-62mph time of 4.4 seconds, and top speeds ranging from 202- to 205mph.
Four-time World Rally Champion, Juha Kankkunen will drive the coupé up Goodwood's famous hill climb course, while the convertible will be piloted by five-time Le Mans winner, Derek Bell MBE.
Also featuring on the Bentley stand is the latest Flying Spur, which is powered by Bentley's signature W12 unit and has been made 40 per cent quieter inside than the previous version.
In addition to the launch of a new racer, Bentley will also be celebrating the ten-year anniversary of a 1-2 finish at Le Mans in 2003. To mark the occasion, the two winning Speed 8 racers will be presented at the show and will be driven up the hillclimb course by the same two drivers as in 2003 - Guy Smith and David Bramham.
Anything else?
The 2013 Goodwood Festival of Speed runs from 12th-14th July, with the Continental GT3 making its debut on Friday 12th at 10:15am.
James Giddings - 4 Jul 2013