Le Mans Winner v Bentley W12: DRAG RACE

How’s THIS for a line-up!
We’ve got our hands on the limited-edition Bentley Continental GT Speed Le Mans Edition, and it’s going head-to-head against an actual Le Mans race winner - the Bentley Speed 8!
So let’s see how these absolute weapons compare. Starting with the Continental GT, it’s powered by a 6-litre twin-turbo W12, and that puts down 660hp and 900Nm. Power is sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox, and it tips the scales at 2,200kg. It’s limited to only 48 models, so naturally it comes with a pretty big price tag - £330,000! That’s £120,000 more than the standard car.
Then alongside it we have the Bentley Speed 8. It’s powered by a 4-litre twin-turbo V8, and this can produce 600hp. So even though it’s down on power compared to the GT, it is SO much lighter, coming in at just 905kg. And seeing as it’s an actual Le Mans race winner, it’s pretty damn expensive, worth anywhere between £10m - £15m!
So can a luxurious cruiser beat a Le Mans winner over the 1/4-mile? There’s only one way to find out… LET’S RACE!
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[@jesseperrella]

The fact that Mat gets cars like these on the channel is insane.

[@PatrickBateman1337]

What's more insane is that stomach acid would burn through us if it weren't for the stomach lining. Amazing stuff.

[@jesseperrella]

@@PatrickBateman1337 That is indeed insane Batman, well said.

[@theairaccumulator7144]

​@@PatrickBateman1337indeed

[@thecluelesstravellers3490]

It’s not Matts channel lol he’s just a presenter mate…. You should be thanking carwow/the producers

[@jesseperrella]

@@thecluelesstravellers3490 Isn't Mat the one who finds the cars though?

[@exoddon2467]

It's crazy how well the Le Mans car still performs even without the intake valves that are now installed in the W12 dashboard :)

[@ags911]

I’m assuming they took out the original parts and replaced them as part of a rebuild.

[@zamir799]

The fact that they actually got the car from this race, 20 years later, it's mind-blowing. I was sure it would be standing still in some museum

[@Dragon640pl]

Like 919 Evo Hybrid 2005.

[@langraman8756]

its called marketing

[@Jabber-ig3iw]

I saw it at the Le Mans Classic last year, they most definitely use it, a lot.

[@clkgtr12]

​@@langraman875648 cars are already sold, bentley doesn't need this, but they're cool for doing it

[@purwantiallan5089]

​@@Dragon640pllike also Audi R8 LMP1 from Kanata Konoe in 2001, Audi R10 TDI from Yuu Takasaki in 2006 and Emma Verde and Karin Asaka's Peugeot 908 from 2010.

[@user-lv9my6jw3x]

That Kerosene edit at 6:23💀

[@ikrakin-4037]

🗿💔

[@AeroplaneSpecialist447]

Oh my

[@CKF9]

Would’ve become a very expensive video 😭

[@Supra_king600]

Imagine going at 180mph and that song starts playing 💀💀💀

[@Cringe.101]

What is the 💀 for?

[@timmy6012]

Massive kudos to Bentley for bringing out the Speed 8. What an epic car and a piece of history! CarWow does it again.😁👍🏼

[@purwantiallan5089]

Yep. Bentley Speed 8 is also Mia Taylor's favourite car.

[@loganleborgne420]

Bentley seems like they want to change their image...a more modern approach...DDE is going to help them soon with their future build even if I was more pumped for the V12 as I bet not a lot of Bentley's V12 are heavily modified! Have a lifted one

[@androidgjohnson]

I 🎉

[@androidgjohnson]

​@@loganleborgne420nej

[@pegcity4eva]

More Lamborghini than Ferraris stuck up approach i like it.

[@stefanieyvonne1502]

It's truly wonderful to meet people who freely share valuable information online. You will never save on the kind of knowledge that will help you tomber and could have a lasting impact on your life.

[@seraphinasigi7769]

Don't procrastinate when it comes to saving and investing. Don't wait for the perfect moment; act now because now is the best time to invest.

[@Hienvo-ki4pn]

Cryptocurrency trading appears to be very profitable. Despite the ever-evolving nature of Bitcoin, it's clear that the cryptocurrency community is here to stay. Val J Smith, you are doing a great job.

[@charleneclea2530]

There are many RIAs out there, but finding someone you trust to help you seems like a big deal. For this I work with Val and so far it has been worth it. Mr. Val does not hesitate and, unlike most financial advisors, he does not take advantage of people, but rather makes sure to serve them to the best of his ability.

[@ursulayesica9654]

I was looking for this kind of help in trading because my job takes up most of my time and leaves me little chance to focus on trading. How can I know him?

[@Hienvo-ki4pn]

Instagram

[@mint6259]

These races are becoming god tier day by day 😮

[@Presto_001]

Well, Mat is not your everyday Amazon delivery guy, but he and his team sure do deliver amazing content. Car Wow! 😉

[@genotsSnor]

​@Presto_001 what is blud yapping about⁉️

[@Presto_001]

Mate, it is a play on words. I respect your opinion if you think it's crap. Amaz-on and Amaz-ing and the fact he is delivering great content, do you see what I was intending to say?

[@MrMuz99]

​@Presto_001 - Flew right past him, didn't it? 😅

[@nicky8866]

it actually looked like one of the slowest races ive seen on the channel

[@deaks25]

I remember watching the 2003 race on EuroSport cheering for the Bentley’s, so it’s nice to see it not only kept in running order but also that Bentley do let it out to play and do race car things. Still an absolutely gorgeous race car. Also, as a biker, I actually laughed at the “All the gear and no idea” quip. I’m definitely using that! Mike was such a chilled out guy as well 👍

[@mikesayer6151]

We’ve put a lot of effort over the last couple of years bringing everything up to running order - 37x heritage road cars and 8x racers, including three Le Mans cars. Cars that you can’t use are machines that have lost their purpose!

[@courtneydossantos9076]

When you don't think it can get any better, they bring out a Le Mans car, Carwow never cease to amaze

[@purwantiallan5089]

Carwow always amaze us.

[@79SS97]

*winning Le Mans car 🥵

[@rolfknappmann]

Mat setting up an entire race, just to try to make the 100k cylinder valve piece cool and to annoy Yianni. Love that 😂

[@SpeedCafeGarage]

Having played Forza Motorsport 1 when it first came out, the Bentley Speed 8 was my favourite R1 class race car to race in the extreme series. To see it for real here is insane

[@ZondaRbg]

And imagine if u see it on real, actually real!

[@SpeedCafeGarage]

@dreamseeker9207 that I am yet to see yet. I've seen so may real LMP1 cars except the Bentley Speed 8

[@Slaeowulf]

Great channel, mate. Just subscribed.

[@VGT1]

me too :))

[@BAC_Mono]

You can’t beat the sound of straight cut gears and a sequential gearbox❤

[@ZillaDaKilla195]

Incredible! Seeing this Bentley in a drag race almost brought tears to my eyes! The nostalgia! Legendary.

[@carlosmakgato8404]

These cars do 24hrs of hardcore racing and here I am worried they’ll break it by running it so many times🤦🏾‍♂️😂

[@willmcclard206]

yeah people got to actually use their cars. most cars are well made and are made to be used like this

[@crabnix]

Exactly. I was like "nooooo don't run that baby again and again for the rolling race" but then I remembered "oh, they're endurance cars. Run the shit out of them."

[@fabrix234]

6:23 thanks for this editors i loved it

[@Presto_001]

Who would have thought we would see a LeMans Track Car feature in a Drag Race!?!

[@purwantiallan5089]

Wish they also add Ayumu Uehara's Sauber Mercedes C9, Shioriko Uehara's Mazda 787B and Taki Shiina's Nissan R391 (last appeared in TEST DRIVE LE MANS PS2 ONLY).

[@Chocapic-wh8ji]

That Mazda and the Mercedes just beautiful

[@sd3564]

There are a lot of these races on the internet lol

[@machohogan]

I’ve been a few quick cars. Anything sub 5 seconds to 60 feels quick. The craziest was a passenger lap in a radical, the cornering and breaking was insane! I’d love to see a circuit of some kind added on car wow.

[@alifalkahfi5483]

I dont expect the kerosene kicks in 6:24 😂😂

[@ryndrssn]

editor is up to date with the audi crash meme 😆

[@shinypotato3191]

😂

[@blizztastic.]

fr 😭😭

[@BlackjackK7X]

THIS is what I was looking for in the comments! I cracked up hearing that play. Guess it's a lesser known meme?

[@Hemi.484]

We need more of those😂

[@TonyKimtheamusementparkfan]

I was only 4 years old when this Speed 8 won at Le Mans in 2003, and I never watched it, but listening to the sound of that Speed 8 in this video just sounds epic. Racing cars just sound amazing.

[@Lowdo1549]

You know it’s an expensive car when they are that far apart on the strip haha

[@MrGoldenGuitar]

Oh this brings back memories. This was one of the quickest cars you could get on Gran Turismo 4. Played it so much back in the day. So nice to see a legend back in action.

[@aaronjaggan]

Yesssss🎉

[@DannyJoGaschler]

Still waiting for it in Gran Turismo 7... One of my favorite All-Time Classic Car i try to acquire in every Racing-Game

[@valferdinandmonissabiano8641]

It's one of the slowest Le Mans car in GT4. It revs too early. You need to over rev it to be faster. That's how I manage to get gold in license test in this car

[@fuzzynutter8344]

What an epic drag race! I was at the 2003 Le Mans 24hrs, the Speed 8 looked more insane in the flesh and on a track than it does on TV. I'm sure the Speed 8 wasn't fully optimised for this drag race, otherwise we'd have seen performance that's more in keeping with a top level sports-prototype, even in a straight line. But still an awesome race!

[@BorisMakingTea]

You need to do a send of for the ford fiesta, get every fiesta generation and drag race them!

[@87Michael]

Good idea…

[@Underpantsniper]

Excellent idea!

[@spursfan2430]

Every generation of Mazda Rx7 would be cool as well !

[@alxgu198]

You have a Fiesta don’t you? 🧐

[@imsa15463]

Matt I have to applaud your ability to get your hands on these special cars. That Speed 8 is a beautiful machine.

[@silvester1986]

Your guest driver is a great presenter and personality. Well done!!!

[@mikesayer6151]

That’s very kind, thank you!

[@greghanson3495]

​@@mikesayer6151I hope they have you back.

[@Godeepgts11]

​@@mikesayer6151agreed and also very cool to see you in the comments section as well!

[@youre-view]

That kerosene soundtrack😹

[@AutoGeak]

Damn I saw a short of Carwow and I was like it’s Saturday 10am that’s the time for another epic dragrace and it was uploaded 6 secs ago, perfect timing!

[@slowkr4v890]

Few years ago I wouldn't dare to say it, but seeing how the channel evolves I dare to say it now... 919 EVO with no restrictions next please 😁

[@virulckg1122]

Respect for Carwow for doing unique drag races like this.

[@oversteer_9339]

That design is so ahead of it's time. I never would've thought it was that old. Amazing

[@andrewcarter9649]

No it's not, it's very clearly an evolution of the design philosophies of the time, just look at the Audi R8, Cadillac Northstar (2002 version), Dome S101, Dallara SP1 and others of the time.

[@AutomotiveCNC]

A few years ago I was lucky to chat on Facebook with the designer of the 2003 Bentley Speed 8, not knowing who he is. We were discussing the Aeromaster LMP kit car, which is a replica of the Bentley Speed 8. And I developed the replica back in 2007-2011. I felt quite strange. He showed a great personality! What a legend!

[@marshall404]

Wow.. Carwow never disappoints

[@langraman8756]

they suck bot

[@purwantiallan5089]

True.

[@Lpkhazarua]

True.

[@hazardous2640]

Can we just appreciate the editing work in this video ? So good

[@ian234234234]

what is so special about it?

[@bradleyxix]

Got nothing on hagerty’s drag race edits

[@sesto194]

Its pretty basic editing ...

[@Presto_001]

Who would love to see an F1/LMP Generations Drag Race in the near future? 🏎

[@bzilla-d4i]

That's a very interesting shout, the fact that in the early 90's and late 80's after the F1 turbo ban they were basically running the same engine specs. Would definitely make for a great video. If anyone can pull it off it's carwow. Good shout mate

[@satoshii69]

6:24 LMAOOO props to the editors who put Kerosene on the background

[@ElSpeedo1980]

It used to be Top gear was every car guys dream job..... Now it's Matt's job everyone wants!!

[@JohnJoannou-xq5rq]

Read my comment on yesterday's video

[@paintballnoob7697]

bro really played kerosene when the le mans car pulled infront of him😭

[@TrIpMo1981]

Le mans cars are such a beautiful piece of engineering.

[@AutomotiveCNC]

A few years ago I was lucky to chat on Facebook with the designer of the 2003 Bentley Speed 8, not knowing who he is. We were discussing the Aeromaster LMP kit car, which is a replica of the Bentley Speed 8. And I developed the replica back in 2007-2011. I felt quite strange. He showed a great personality! What a legend!

[@raheemg2942]

Matt should do more half mile drag races

[@gjokopetrushev4247]

Matt actually knew what the common car guys want to see and delivered it in the best way possible. I’m sure it’s more popular than the current Top Gear :)

[@johnnyboy114]

There have been some truly beautiful Le Mans cars over the years but the Speed 8 is right up there with the best of them. What a gorgeous thing. And I wonder how fast it would be if he REALLY let it have its head of steam….listen to the engine in this compared to YT footage of the Le Man race and he’s not even close to red line……that’s protecting £15-20m for you I guess 🤣🤣

[@Underpantsniper]

I was going to say it almost sounds detuned.

[@Unknwnn_]

6:23 never expected this song to come up on carwow 😮

[@mashtee_]

carwow's at it again with back to back banger drag races🔥

[@TheQuikMix]

I remember attending and seeing the Speed 8 on display at the Los Angeles Auto show twenty years ago, and I STILL think it's one of the most beautiful LMP cars of all time. Awesome to see it here!

[@jacobrev6567]

The Bentley Race Car Looks So Sick

[@HamzaKhan-mf1nc]

Kerosene literally caught me off guard 💀

[@hellothere4342]

That speed 8 is so iconic. Top tier Proto

[@Motionminds.shorts]

6:18 this part when i hear Kerosene playing, my blood runs cold 🥶🥶

[@gtpisti]

Speed 8,what a beautiful piece of Engineering !

[@azharazeez2855]

I fell in love with that legendary le mans bentley. What a wonderful machine

[@alfuqt2297]

To get the Speed 8 for a drag race is an awesome thing.

[@camzilla4556]

We need a race with 90’s Era lemans group C race cars

[@yatogami8597]

Carwow got some legendary race cars in drag races recently Just amazing

[@KD-oi9sk]

The whistling noise the Speed 8 made as it lifted off gas at Le Mans...epic

[@nikko1984]

The saturday's races always have a specific tastes. Thanks Mat!

[@Justprint88]

Love seeing that speed 8, one of my favourite cars in existence. Definitely looks like there was a lot of mechanical sympathy and short shifting going on though! Sounded like the speed 8 was only getting to half revs before changing!

[@julian.mthimunye]

the speed 8 is still running even though all valves have been placed in the SE versions of the Continental "Bombastic side eye" to Bentley but overall... that thing pulls, @Matt, if the handycapped rolling race format was exactly like 24heures du mans you get plenty marshals waving blue flags, Awesome videos man

[@SamAspden]

it's probably from the #8 car, which was more successful overall than the #7 car. Winning its class at Le Mans 2001,2002, and Sebring in 2003 as well. The #7 retired in 2001, didnt take part in 2002, came 2nd at Sebring, and then won le mans.

[@jcc3494]

​@@SamAspdenor the valves were replaced as a service item

[@mikesayer6151]

We told the story on camera but it didn’t make the edit. The original race engine survived the race…but not the parade through Paris the next day! Overheated and cooked the heads. So the valves in the GTs are the race-winning originals, and the Speed 8 has run its spare engine since the race.

[@planetjakebomb]

Love the new editing tweaks. The little graphical effects on the cars are lovely!

[@will4may175]

Le Mans Bentley was short shifting and still left the W12 behind, I understand they couldn't outright smash the W12 because of sales, also because the Le Mans is rather expensive so no red lining the engine, would've been nice to see the difference even if for one run. Edit: before anyone says yes I know the W12 limited is sold out but the standard isn't

[@brianrainey2739]

20 years ago? I still remember watching on tv like it was yesterday! 😄

[@126sangeet]

Matt must've tried so hard to be in the fastest car here 😂

[@W-meme]

Exactly what I was thinking throughout the video.

[@TheAnnoor]

2003 race car didn't age at all 2:18, looks amazing

[@hirweuwe7119]

Insane line up!!

[@A26638gahxb]

7:28 please do a video introducing your whole crew! ❤

[@paulaye5971]

that one audi edit😂😭

[@Ven100]

This was amazing. Saw the #8 Bentley Speed 8 in the Le Mans museum when I went to Le Mans 2020. Beautiful car.

[@adamcameron9029]

Carwow literally never disappoints….

[@apersunthathasaridiculousl1890]

One of the only channels where i can truly agree

[@Papzishhh1]

I swear I CANNOT believe the kind of cars we get to see on this channel! Mind-blowing!!!

[@supritisouravmondal9633]

This shows that brands keep the fast cars for themselves and sale us the slower cars 😭

[@princejohn9630]

It's not insane anymore need some new words to describe it

[@Aroxxxi]

Hands down, you guys have the best job in the world 😂

[@natidaschoolboy]

Taps on video: "Wah wah weh in a drag race"

[@prestige_123]

Abso-fck'n-lutely Matt!! Continue getting these crazy cars we don't get to see unless we playing a game! We appreciate it😊!

[@Nonamenoface538]

This channel has consistently gotten better with each race, probably the only reason i still use KZbin.

[@Tmbambo]

We've seen F1, and now LMP! This is Carwow at its pinnacle.

[@mrsheev9131]

That Speed 8 sounds utterly glorious. With the recent hypercar resurgence in WEC and Le Mans, I'd absolutely love it if Bentley decided to toss their hat into the ring as well.

[@cuconatparfour665]

I don't know how you manage to get hand on those cars but man this KZbin channel just can't stop blessing us with god tier race.

[@hyperbolt3810]

What a beautiful car love these LM prototypes

[@bussterdouglas]

That V8 from the LM car sounds insane! Bentley never fails

[@deundreward7057]

This is going to be epic drag race.

[@ayee_Q]

Matt you still haven’t had a NSX Type S on the channel. Reach out to your resources plz and make it happen. A genuine follower.

[@All_i_want_is_a_slammed_Mk4R32]

i remember first learning about the speed 8 from forza motorsport 4

[@dissonookeno.4063]

@Matt, if possible kindly consider bringing the Porsche 919 Hybrid Le Mans vs Rimac Nevera or the Redbull F1 😊. Thanks.

[@MarcSob22]

Would be amazing a Group C car race here!!

[@TheRojman]

Haha, the RS6 death music when the Le Mans Bentley crossed Mat's path. Top notch lads!

[@mixon16]

Hi Mat! We Brazilians are big fans of the Porsche Carrera GT. We really want you to show us this wonderful machine that we love so much!

[@BlessBeNice]

bentley gt speed 8 😂 drag race. HOW INCREDIBLY AWESOME IS THAT. this is a world record i must say namastely violent green. i loved that car. i used to have that car in the video games. psp, gran turismo

[@DonLee1980]

wow!!! This is probably the first time we've ever seen a proper Le Mans winner go thru regular drag race tests. I wonder how would a modern LMP1 hybrid would do. Supposedly now with AWD and nearly 1000hp power. Must be mental.

[@ComplexBloxxiii]

U used kerosene song when the guy in race car turned I love that song bro😅😮

[@epicswirl]

Bro used the RS6 crash sound 💀

[@TheCluelessEnthusiast]

Carwow is now killing the game for the most entertaining drag races on youtube

[@riofacts8283]

This is why this channel is at 8.63m! Drag racing legendary cars against these modern and winning.

[@brianrose7864]

Oh my god! I literally just set the 2003 Bentley Speed 8 as my laptop wall paper only 2 nights ago. Now we have carwow drag racing it! Nice!!!

[@supersevenhead]

Was there with the Lotus 7 club in 2003. What an experience!

[@SciroccoThePunisher]

Intersting to see,how a race car stands to a normal car

[@AB-gt5sl]

I was 10 years old when that won and I was there to witness it 😍

[@jimmyaxelsson1312]

What a sound... Like music in my ears... Nothing beat High rpm and a engine.. 🦸‍♀️🙏🧙‍♂️

[@dusandestanovic5884]

The only historical drag race ever done, this is exclusive af.

[@greghanson3495]

That was honestly closer than I would have thought on all the races.

[@AntonHoward-mx9sb]

We ran an Ultima Chevrolet in the British GT series that ran Speed 8 brakes, they were gigantic water cooled lumps of billet titanium, with I think 8 pistons in them. Driven a few Continentals including a speed and the thing that got me was the midrange torque. The acceleration from say 70-100mph was just phenomenal for a road car.

[@cybersteic4803]

It is crazy that a race car from 20 years ago is still faster than a modern luxury muscle car like that limited edition Bently GT Speed. Good race!