Last month Bentley announced that they would be producing a limited edition run of just 15 special coupes to honour Bentley’s accomplishment at the demanding Pikes Peak International Hill Climb event in the USA on 30th June last year where it became the fastest production car to complete the course.
It was fitting that this striking Continental GT Limited Edition celebrated a record-breaking automotive achievement in the British marque’s centenary year.
This not so light but pretty Grand Tourer shaved an impressive 8.4 seconds off the existing record for the 12.42-mile course in Colorado, making it the fastest production car ever at Pikes Peak. The car was driven by three-time champion, former ‘King of the Mountain’ New Zealander Rhys Millen. The W12-powered Continental GT climbed almost 5,000 ft through 156 bends in just 10 minutes, 18.4 seconds. Quite an accomplishment!
Chris Craft who is Member of the Board for Sales, Marketing and Aftersales at Bentley Motors, said:
“The new Limited Edition Continental GT is distinguished by a number of carefully curated features to honour that outstanding record run. 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 Pikes Peak Limited Edition Continental GT is easily distinguishable from the standard model with its carbon fibre body kit and eye-catching Radium by Mulliner paintwork, the same colour scheme used on the original record-breaking car. Gloss black detailing has been added to the front lower bumper inserts, roof panel, wing mirrors and rear surfaces for that added sporty touch.
In addition, the car is fitted with bright Acid Green brake disc calipers, Pirelli P Zero Colour Edition tyres in Radium Finish and a Pikes Peak decal on the front bumper. The 22-inch Mulliner Driving Specification wheels in Gloss Black come as standard and there is an optional ‘100’ grille should you wish to mark Bentley’s centenary year.
Under the bonnet you’ll find the world’s most advanced 12-cylinder petrol engine, namely the twin-turbocharged Bentley W12. This mighty engine develops a massive 626 bhp and 900 Nm of torque, which will effortlessly take the Continental GT from 0-100 km/h in just 3.7 seconds (0-60 mph in 3.6 seconds), and on to a top speed of 333 km/h (207 mph).
The Continental GT also gets the Pikes Peak treatment inside, with Alcantara and contrasting Radium thread stitching covering much of the soft trim areas, which is matched with Beluga secondary hide. The steering wheel has a honeycomb stitching design and a centre stripe both in Radium, just like the Pikes Peak GT race car. Carbon fibre fascias and wasitrails are complemented by a Piano Black centre console. The passenger-side fascia features a graphic showing a section of the Pikes Peak track, with five different graphics being used across the 15-car run, along with the record-setting time of 10:18.488.
And if that’s not all, the interior also gets Pikes Peak embroidery to the seat headrests in Radium stitching, Pikes Peak treadplates and exclusive B&O speaker covers in Black Anodised and Radium finish. The Continental GT also benefits from the Bentley Rotating Display, deep pile overmats and Front Seat Comfort Specification.
You can watch driver Rhys Millen on board the Bentley Continental GT as he climbs Pikes Peak to set a new outright record for production cars via a camera mounted to his race helmet, giving breathtaking footage from a driver’s point-of-view as he tackles the 156 corners, climbing almost 5,000ft in 10:18.488.
This fabulous celebratory car is now available to order. To find out more about the Pikes Peak Bentley Continental GT please visit www.bentleymotors.com
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man Behind The Wheel, a professional photographer and former saloon car racing driver.
Photographs courtesy of Bentley Motors
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