New Bentley Continental GT aiming for a Pikes Peak record - just like the Bentayga

New Bentley Continental GT aiming for a Pikes Peak record

Bentley is going after another Pikes Peak record in 2019, with the new Bentley Continental GT aiming for a production car record.

Last year, Bentley took the Bentayga up the Pikes Peak hillcimb and in the process grabbed a record for the quickest SUV up the hill, knocking two minutes off the previous record, set by a Range Rover Sport.

Bentley were obviously chuffed they’d stuffed the RRS in the process, and managed to deliver a Pikes Peak Bentayga Special Edition too to celebrate the success.

So having got lots of publicity for the Bentayga – and a new special edition – you won’t be shocked to learn that Bentley is heading back to Pikes Peak this summer, but this time with the Bentley Continental GT.

You might argue that a mad blast up an unforgiving hillclimb in the US doesn’t exactly resonate with Conti buyers, but a world record would give bragging rights – and lots of publicity. Still, the Continental GT is going to have to beat the time set by a Porsche 911 Turbo S in 2014. Which isn’t a given.

But the Bentley is in with a shout thanks to its glorious 626bhp W12, 48V roll control system and 4WD, and we already know the previous Conti GT could do daft stuff too – like the Wales Rally.

Sensibly, Bentley are sticking Rhys Millen behind the wheel of the GT (he drove the Bentayga to a record last year), and have begun prepping the car for the record attempt. Although there’s a limit to what they can do, beyond safety stuff, and still compete as a production car.

Will the new Continental GT usurp a 2014 911 Turbo S up Pikes Peak? We’ll find out on 30 June.