Currently reading: More extreme Continental GT3-R possible, says Bentley design chief

Luc Donckerwolke believes there's an appetite for more motorsport-inspired versions of the Continental GT3-R that could tempt younger buyers

An even more extreme version of the Bentley Continental GT3-R is possible, according to design chief Luc Donckerwolke.

The GT3-R was revealed as a range-topping performance version of the Continental at the recent Goodwood Festival of Speed. The production run was limited to just 300 examples which were hand-built in Crewe and finished in Bentley’s motorsport division.

Powered by a retuned version of Bentley’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, the Continental GT3-R produced 572bhp and 516lb ft, and was the fastest-accelerating Bentley ever, capable of reaching 60mph from a standstill in 3.6 seconds.

Donckerwolke said that a more extreme, rear-wheel drive version of the GT3-R was possible and there would be an appetite for it.

"Why not?" he said, "as the GT3-R has been a success. We've sold all 300 and a lot of people would want an even more extreme one.

"I want us to celebrate our race success and have an even more extreme version, with not only an updated drive and powertrain but also new styling to closely link the race and road cars."

He also said that such a model would help bring younger buyers to Bentley: "There's a big opportunity to make more emotional cars in Bentley's future for younger people. We did it in the past and we can do it again."

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Mark Tisshaw

mark-tisshaw-autocar
Title: Editor

Mark is a journalist with more than a decade of top-level experience in the automotive industry. He first joined Autocar in 2009, having previously worked in local newspapers. He has held several roles at Autocar, including news editor, deputy editor, digital editor and his current position of editor, one he has held since 2017.

From this position he oversees all of Autocar’s content across the print magazine, autocar.co.uk website, social media, video, and podcast channels, as well as our recent launch, Autocar Business. Mark regularly interviews the very top global executives in the automotive industry, telling their stories and holding them to account, meeting them at shows and events around the world.

Mark is a Car of the Year juror, a prestigious annual award that Autocar is one of the main sponsors of. He has made media appearances on the likes of the BBC, and contributed to titles including What Car?Move Electric and Pistonheads, and has written a column for The Sun.

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pauld101 25 July 2014

Still no mention...

Still no mention of the walk-out and 'peaceful protest' by the shop floor workers at Bentley in the week on Pyms Lane, then...? Why's that, Mark?
d79m 25 July 2014

Probably because thats more

Probably because thats more to do with politics and nothing to do with cars. Could you not imagine how dull this site would be if they went on about every fall out going in in every car company. It would make for some very dull stories.
pauld101 25 July 2014

Nothing to do with politics

I think you may be thinking of the civil servants and firemen... In fact, it was about Bentley workers being put on a four day week because of "flattening of demand for luxury cars" later this year. So, nothing to do with politics and quite important if it leads to demise of certain sectors of the car industry. But then, that's "nothing to do with cars"...