Makes › Bentley › Speed › Speed 8 · Factory competition · 2003 Ultra Rare
Bentley
Speed 8
Works Le Mans prototype of Bentley's 2001–2003 programme.
Still being researched: identification guide, full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Calreyn88 · CC0 1.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- 5 Built
- Years
- 2003
- Engine
- Mid-mounted, longitudinal twin-turbo 90º V8 · 3,995 cc / 4.0 LFactory: 3,995 cc
- Power
- 459 kW / 624 PSFactory: 615 hp · converted
- Top speed
- 350 km/hFactory: 350 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- Peter Elleray
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- Not yet verified
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Speed 8 was the final form of Bentley's 2001–2003 Le Mans programme under Volkswagen ownership, created to bring the marque its sixth Le Mans victory decades after the Bentley Boys era. Only five were built, two of which never raced.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
Photos
Exterior, interior and detail photos with their licences.
Bentley Speed 8 (Wikimedia Commons: Bentley Speed 8)
Photo: Calreyn88 · CC0 1.0
Bentley Speed 8 (Wikimedia Commons: Bentley Speed 8)
Photo: David Merrett from Daventry, England · CC BY 2.0
Bentley Speed 8 (Wikimedia Commons: Bentley Speed 8)
Photo: David Merrett from Daventry, England · CC BY 2.0
Bentley Speed 8 (Wikimedia Commons: Bentley Speed 8)
Photo: Jen Ross · CC BY 2.0
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02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionbuilt (2 never raced) | 51 | Factory production | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
After VW took over Bentley, a three-year racing programme was announced in 2000, starting with the EXP Speed 8 whose name nodded to the 1929–1930 Le Mans-winning Speed Sixes. The car was drawn by Peter Elleray and developed by Racing Technology Norfolk as a closed LM GTP prototype, sharing only its twin-turbo V8 with the Audi R8. The 2003 Speed 8 used a carbon-fibre monocoque and a six-speed gearbox developed with Xtrac.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Speed 8.
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | Mid-mounted, longitudinal twin-turbo 90º V82 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 3,995 cc / 4.0 LFactory: 3,995 cc2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Not yet verified |
| Power | 459 kW / 624 PSFactory: 615 hp · converted2 Independently researchedSource states bhp. |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | 800 NmFactory: 800 Nm2 Independently researched |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | Bentley / Xtrac 6-speed manual2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Carbon-fibre monocoque3 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | Not yet verified |
| Length | Not yet verified |
| Width | Not yet verified |
| Height | Not yet verified |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 350 km/hFactory: 350 km/h2 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
- 1
-
2
Bentley Speed 8 specifications Level C Ultimatecarpage.com
- 90º V8, Mid, longitudinally mounted
- 3,995 cc / 243.8 cu in
- 615 bhp / 459 kW
- 800 Nm / 590 ft lbs
- Bentley / Xtrac 6 speed Manual
- 350 km/h (217 mph)
-
3
Bentley Speed 8 Level C Ultimatecarpage.com
- carbon-fiber monocoque with double wishbones
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