Bentley Speed ​​8

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Bentley
Bentley EXP Speed ​​8.jpg
Speed ​​8
Production period: 2001-2003
Class : race car
Body versions : Coupe
Engines:
Petrol engines : 3.6-4.0 liters
(452-477 kW)
Length: 4645 mm
Width: 1990 mm
Height: 1080 mm
Wheelbase : 2735 mm
Empty weight : 908-916 kg
Previous model Audi R8C

The Bentley EXP Speed ​​8 and its evolutionary stage Bentley Speed ​​8 are Le Mans prototypes that Bentley developed together with Racing Technology Norfolk for the Le Mans 24-hour race , which the company won in 2003.

history

The Bentley EXP 8 was a prototype class LMGTP racing car built according to the regulations of the Automobile Club de l'Ouest (ACO), which was supposed to win the prestigious Le Mans 24-hour race . Under the direction of chief designer Peter Elleray, the car was further developed from the plans of the Audi R8C, a closed version of the Audi R8 that was only used once in a race and that Audi had dropped again. The Bentley EXP Speed ​​8 made its debut on June 16 and 17, 2001 with drivers Andy Wallace , Butch Leitzinger and Eric van de Poele at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where it achieved third place behind the open-top Audi R8, which were then considered unbeatable could. This ended Bentley's 73-year absence as a works team in motorsport.

development

Under the auspices of the Bentley factory, the EXP Speed ​​8 was developed and built at RTN (Racing Technology Norfolk). The first drive unit in 2001 was the turbocharged 3.6-liter V8 engine of the R8 from sister company Audi. XTrac, on the other hand, developed the six-speed gearbox specifically for this vehicle. In contrast to Audi, which drove with Michelin tires, Bentley opted for racing tires from Dunlop .

After the first year, which was considered a test year, the Audi engine was further developed. The displacement increased from 3.6 to four liters in order to bring the heavier closed prototype closer to the open Audi R8. In addition, unsatisfactory aerodynamics of the EXP Speed ​​8 resulted in major modifications to the design of the car for the 2003 season, after which the Bentley was only called Speed ​​8 - without the addition EXP - after the experimental phase was completed. The changes mainly affected the front and the cockpit area, due to a change in the crash box on the monocoque . In addition, one switched from Dunlop to tire manufacturer Michelin.

A total of two test vehicles, four EXP Speed ​​8 and five Speed ​​8 were built, some of which, however, were never used in races, but served as crash tests or as presentation vehicles .

Racing history

Martin Brundle , Stéphane Ortelli and Guy Smith's Bentley Exp Speed ​​8 at Le Mans in 2001

In 2001 , after a 73-year absence from the Le Mans 24-hour race, Bentley returned to the Sarthe race track with a three-year program and immediately achieved third place in the first race with the EXP Speed ​​8, the only vehicle type in the closed LMGTP class . Two vehicles were used, but one of them was eliminated after a vehicle fire. In the following year , only one vehicle was used that was already equipped with the expanded engine and served as a test vehicle for the Speed ​​8, which was to debut in 2003 . The vehicle finished fourth and, as in 2001, was only beaten by the Audi R8. In order to achieve a victory at Le Mans in 2003, Bentley decided to test the new Speed ​​8 under racing conditions at the Sebring 12-hour race - which is considered a good test run for Le Mans. Moved back to the end of the starting row due to a rule violation in qualification, the EXP Speed ​​8 were able to fight their way through to third and fourth place in a race to catch up until the end of the race - again behind a factory and a privately entered Audi R8.

While Audi decided not to take part in the Le Mans 24-hour race as a works team in 2003, Bentley, a subsidiary of Volkswagen , was the only remaining manufacturer in the LMP class. The Bentley Speed ​​8 started from pole position at Le Mans with the support of Joest Racing, which has been responsible for all Le Mans prototype runs at Audi so far, and the Audi works drivers Tom Kristensen and Rinaldo Capello . After the start, the two racing cars were in the lead for almost the entire race, although one of the cars had problems with the electrics. After 377 laps, the number 7 Speed ​​8 won, driven by Rinaldo Capello, Tom Kristensen and Guy Smith . The double victory was completed by the number 8 sister car, in which Mark Blundell , David Brabham and Johnny Herbert were at the wheel. After three overall wins for Audi, Bentley's victory was the fourth success for the Volkswagen Group. However, with the overall profit, the Bentley engagement also ended and the racing prototypes were then only used in the context of historical events. For example, the Speed ​​8 regularly competes at the Goodwood Festival of Speed .

Technical specifications

Bentley Speed ​​8 2001 2002 2003
Engine:  V-eight cylinder, cylinder bank angle 90 °,
two turbochargers, boost pressure: 1.87 bar (mid-engine)
Displacement :  3600 cc 4000 cc
Air mass limiters (air restrictors):  two, ø 33.1 mm two, ø 30.7 mm
Power:  468 kW (637 hp) 477 kW (650 hp) 452 kW (615 hp)
Valve control:  4 valves per cylinder,
2 overhead camshafts per cylinder bank
Transmission:  6-speed, sequential shifting
Front and rear suspension:  double wishbones
Suspension:  Torsion springs at the front, coil springs at the rear
Track width front / rear:  1700/1680 mm
Wheelbase :  2735 mm
Length × width:  4645 × 1990 × 1080 mm
Empty weight (without driver):  917 kg 908 kg 916 kg
Top speed:  345 km / h 335 km / h
Tank capacity:  90 liters
Tire manufacturer:  Dunlop Michelin

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