Bentley creates ‘Pikes Peak’ Continental GT
Bentley’s centenary year was wrapped up with the announcement of a limited-edition Continental GT celebrating Bentley’s class record at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb earlier in 2019.
While Bentley had already set a class record on the 12.42-mile, 156 corner hillclimb course in the USA with their Bentayga SUV in 2018, they chose to attempt another class record in 2019 – this time for production cars - with their Continental GT.
With three-time Pikes Peak champion Rhys Millen behind the wheel, that goal was achieved, with the Continental GT shaving 8.4 seconds off the existing record to complete the word famous hillclimb course in 10 minutes, 18.4 seconds.
Honouring Excellence
“The new Limited Edition Continental GT is distinguished by a number of carefully curated features to honour the outstanding record run,” said Chris Craft, Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales for Bentley.
“It reflects Bentley’s spirit of endeavour; one that has been a constant throughout the last 100 years and remains at the beating heart of the company.”
The first thing that sets the Limited Editon apart from a standard Continental GT is its searing green ‘Radium’ paint, inspired by the Pikes Peak car and applied by Mulliner, Bentley’s in-house bespoke and special projects division.
Acid Green brake calipers continue the colour theme, as do Radium-enhanced Pirelli P Zero ‘Colour Edition’ tyres on 22-inch Mulliner Driving Specification alloys in gloss black. The front lower bumper inserts, mirror caps, roof and tail light panel are also finished in gloss black.
A carbon fibre bodykit is standard, as are Pikes Peak logos on the front guards, while a ‘100’ painted grille, honouring Bentley’s centenary, is optional.
Inside, the Limited Edition features charcoal Alcantara seat upholstery with contrasting Radium quilted stitching and Pikes Peak logos embroidered into the headrests, while Beluga hide features on secondary areas. The steering wheel also features Radium stitching, as well as a centre stripe.
Carbon fibre fascia and upper door rims are contrasted with glossy Piano Black trim on the centre console.
Personalising each Limited Edition is a graphic of a section of the Pikes Peak hillclimb course on the passenger-side dash, with each car in the 15-unit run featuring a different section of the 12.41-mile course, as well as the new 10:18.488 record time.
Door sill plates carry Pikes Peak identification and the speaker covers for the 650-watt Bang & Olufsen sound system feature a unique Black Anodised and Radium finish.
Familiar Power
Like the new Pikes Peak record setter, the Limited Edition Continental GT is powered by Bentley’s twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 petrol engine, producing 467kW and 900Nm. Matched to an 8-speed automatic transmission and active all-wheel drive, this drivetrain propels the Limited Edition from 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 333km/h.
Other features on the standard Continental GT, like the air suspension with Bentley Dynamic Ride system, massive 420mm front and 381mm rear disc brakes with torque vectoring function, LED head and tail lights, a rotating 12.3-inch centre touchscreen, selectable driving modes and all the luxury touches you’d expect in a modern Bentley, are also found on the Limited Ediiton.
High Achiever, High Price
While Bentley have yet to reveal a price for the Pikes Peak-inspired Limited Edition, it’s expected to carry a substantial premium over the standard Continental GT, which carries a starting price here of $422,600. If it’s like recent ultra-limited editions from other manufacturers, it may have already sold out even before it was even announced.
