Follows Bentley Bentayga record-setting run in 2018
Bentley Motors is set to attempt to break the outright production car record at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (PPIHC) with the new Continental GT later this month.
Last year, the record for a production SUV at Pikes Peak was set by the Bentley Bentayga in a time of 10:49.9 – taking nearly two minutes off the previous record by averaging 66.5 mph.
The current record and time to beat for a production car is 10:26.9.
At the heart of the Continental GT sits the 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 TSI engine delivering 635 PS and 900 Nm.
Former ‘King of the Mountain’ and Pikes Peak veteran Rhys Millen will drive the Continental GT during the record attempt.
Bentley’s Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush, says: “We have taken much learning from our successful visit to Pikes Peak last year with the Bentley Bentayga and applied it to our preparations this time around. We are proud to demonstrate the Continental GT’s breadth of abilities in competition on a global stage.”
“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 1/3rd less dense than at sea level. The weather will also play a vital role in the run as positive temperatures and clear skies can change to snow in a matter of minutes. The lack of oxygen will also impact driver Rhys Millen, who will have an on-board oxygen system fed into his helmet to reduce any effect of altitude sickness.”