A Bentley has claimed the record for a production car at the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in the United States.
The Continental GT, piloted by three-time champion and former “King of the Mountain’ Rhys Millen, from New Zealand, blitzed the 20km course in just 10:18.488.
In doing so he slashed 8.4 seconds off the previous record, set by David Donner in a Porsche 911 Turbo S in 2015.
The outright record, however, was set earlier this year by an electric vehicle, in the form of VW’s ID R with Romain Dumas at the wheel.
His time? An astonishing 7:57.148.
The latest iteration of the Continental GT is powered by 6.0-litre twin turbo W12 engine that produces 467kW of power and 900Nm of torque, and is paired with a ZF 8-speed twin clutch auto.
Millen described his record run as 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,” he said.
“It was an incredible week. 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”.
Just 12 months ago, the Bentley Bentayga demonstrated its outstanding performance credentials, claiming the record for a production SUV on the challenging course.
Again piloted by Millen, the world’s most luxurious SUV completed the course in just 10:49.9, taking nearly two minutes off the previous record.
The record run, on one of the world’s most challenging motorsport courses, is the latest highlight of Bentley’s centenary year.
CHECKOUT: Bentley goes into bat with new GT
CHECKOUT: VW conquers Peak (and the record)