Bentley Continental GT breaks production record at Pikes Peak

- The production-spec of the grand tourer completed the hill climb in 10:18.488 seconds.

- The new-generation Continental GT W12 was driven by rally and drifting ace Rhys Millen.

Bentley has shattered the record for the fastest production car to complete the legendary Pikes Peak hill climb. The W12 powered Continental GT ran up the course in a record-breaking 10:18.488 seconds. The unmodified gran tourer was driven by Rhys Millen – the three-time winner of the ‘King of the Mountain’ title who also drove the Bentayga up the hill last year. 

What’s astonishing is the fact that the new-generation Continental GT scaled the 12.42-mile (19.98-kilometre) almost 8.4 seconds clear of the previous record. The 156 corners of the gruesome hill climb were taken at an average speed of 112kmph. Bentley claims that no modification was done to the engine or the car whatsoever for the climb. Given that the air pressure at the summit of the hill climb, i.e., 14,100ft, is only one-third that of sea level, it is an amazing feat that the 625bhp W12 overcame the loss of pressure and finished at a record-breaking time. 

Speaking about his record run, Rhys Millen said “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. 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”.