The Bentley EXP Speed 8 is a LMP race car that competed in the Le Mans series from 2001 to 2003, taking first place in 2003. It has a strong resemblance to and shares some technology with the Audi R8C, which won Le Mans the preceding 3 years, thereby marking Bentley's return to racing after a 73-year absence.
Technical data
The most developed version of the Bentley Speed 8 was powered by a 4.0-liter V-8 producing 600 hp, mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The car weighed 900 kg (1984 lb) with the minimum weight mandated for the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
Racing history
In 2001 Bentley returned to the 24 Hours of Le Mans race after a 73-year absence with a three-year campaign with the EXP Speed 8. The closed-top sports prototype, built to the ACO LM GTP regulations, had a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V-8 race engine from parent company Audi, who campaigned their successful R8 prototype since 1999. Developing around 600 hp, the Bentley achieved a top speed of over 220 mph, starting from pole with no works Audi team participating. In the 2003 race, Bentley drove under the chequered flag with a remarkable 4th straight Le Mans victory, and the Volkswagen Group achieved its goal of a hat trick of wins.
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