Bentley has announced that it is returning to motor sport with a GT3 version of its Continental GT road car.

The prototype was launched at the Paris Motor Show and Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, the chairman and chief executive of Bentley, said that “the Continental GT3 is set to show the world what the Continental GT is capable of in its most extreme form, and establishes a solid foundation for Bentley’s long-term motor sport plans”.

Since the Bentley Speed 8, the marque has concentrated on its road cars, but Brian Gush – who oversaw the Le Mans programme in 2003, is also looking after this new project.

The question on everyone’s lips, however, is whether or not the heavy – and seemingly un-aerodynamic – Continental will make a successful racer. The company has admitted that it has managed to lose over a tonne from the 2320kg road version, though, so initial signs are that things are looking good.

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