Bentley Continental GT3 Pikes Peak develops 750 horsepower on biofuel

Bentley showed us its Continental GT3 Pikes Peak car earlier this year, but lacked engine details. This left us particularly curious, as Bentley foreshadowed many modifications and the promise that it would run on renewable biofuel. Of course, more horsepower than standard was expected.
Today, all the details of this wild Bentley are available. Its 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine will produce “over” 750 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. That’s a 100 horsepower increase over the Continental’s most powerful street version, the Continental GT Speed.
How did Bentley do it? For starters, Bentley started with the GT3 racing version of its 4.0-liter V8, not the street version. But Bentley still went into town on that racing engine for Pikes Peak. It has new pistons and connecting rods, and the boost is increased to 2.2 bar with bigger turbos. The carbon fiber intake manifold is reinforced and thicker than the standard manifold. In addition, unique Akrapovic Inconel alloy exhaust manifolds are installed. The exhaust eventually exits through very short pipes just behind the front wheels. Not very Bentley.
The cooling is enhanced by a secondary cooling system positioned at the rear of the car. The rear windows are exchanged for air intakes that channel air through a second radiator, removing heat through ducts in the trunk lid. Everything works thanks to a dedicated secondary water pump. Another change you’ll find at the rear is a new driveshaft with a larger diameter for better durability.
The biofuel used by Bentley is called 98RON Renewable Racing Fuel, and Bentley says it is “a dedicated blend of advanced biofuels specifically designed for motorsport, and a technological stepping stone to a sustainably created eFuel. with a reduction of greenhouse gases of up to 85%. âBentley did not specify what the emission reduction was for that specific biofuel in the Pikes Peak car.
When it comes to handling, Bentley claims to have changed the configuration of the GT3 considerably. It has a lot more camber at the front and rear. Softer springs and anti-roll bars have been installed to allow more body movement and maximize weight transfer for braking (keep in mind that all of your braking will be done while riding straight up). In addition, the brakes themselves are newly water cooled to withstand the extreme loads that this hill climb will impose on them.
You can watch Bentley’s record attempt on June 27, which will mark the 99th edition of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.