Having taken the production SUV record at last year’s Pikes Peak International Hill Climb with a lightly modified W12 Bentayga, Bentley is heading to the annual timed event in Colorado, United States set to take place on June 30. This time around, the British marque is entering with a Continental GT, and will be aiming for the outright production car record, currently standing at 10 minutes 26.9 seconds.
The Continental GT produces 626 hp at 6,000 rpm and 900 Nm of torque from 1,350 rpm to 4,500 rpm, sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission. Bentley’s run last year with the Bentayga saw the SUV drop 300 kg in preparation for the event, though it remains to be seen if the two-door will undergo a similar regime for its run up the 20 km-long, 156-turn hillclimb course.
As with the Bentayga which took to the hillclimb last year, the Continental GT will wear a special livery, and in this case the coupe will bear the number 100 to commemorate Bentley’s centenary year. Pikes Peak veteran Rhys Millen will again pilot the Bentley entry this year, who will get to benefit from the Continental GT’s specially fitted onboard oxygen system to mitigate the effects of altitude sickness.
“The extreme conditions of Pikes Peak pose a significant challenge. With the start line being at 9,300ft and climbing to 14,100ft the air is one-third less dense than at sea level. The weather will also play a vital role in the run as 90 degree (Fahrenheit) temperatures and clear skies can change to snow in a matter of minutes,” said Bentley director of motorsport Brian Gush. What figure do you think the Continental GT will manage against the clock, folks?
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Isn’t the Continental GT has higher mass than Model S100P ?
Super heavy grand touring 3 doors coupe!
Any idea which other brand will be gunning for the production car record?