Bentley Continental GT sets Pikes Peak production car record

Bentley’s W12-powered Continental GT has been crowned fastest production car at Pikes Peak, following a record-setting run at the famous hill climb on Sunday, 30 June.

Pikes Peak veteran Rhys Millen piloted the British coupe to the chequered flag in 10 minutes and 18.4 seconds, shaving eight seconds off the previous record, and averaging 112.4km/h.

Millen was suitably pleased following the record drive: ''This is an amazing finish to a wet, snowy 2019 run at Pikes Peak,”

“We came here with one goal in mind, and that was to be the fastest production car up the mountain and set a new record.

“Today was a challenge with what Mother Nature threw at us, but the Continental GT held strong all the way to the top, and we are now number one.”

The 156-bend, 20-kilometre hill climb was made particularly difficult this year due to poor weather conditions, and as always, the high altitude put the pressure on drivers and vehicles alike.

With the start line positioned 2800 metres above sea level, the air density on the mountain is reduced by a third, forcing the Continental GT's 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 to work extra hard.

At ground level, the big coupe produces 473kW and 900Nm, and can sprint from zero to 100km/h in 3.7 seconds.

Last year, Millen set the outright record for a production SUV on the Pikes Peak course, steering a Bentley Bentayga up the hill in 10 minutes and 49.9 seconds.

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