One-of-15 Bentley GT Pikes Peak Edition for sale
Extremely green Conti built to celebrate Bentley's hillclimb record is also extremely rare
For decades, the benchmark of car performance has been the coveted Nurburgring lap time. It’s a marketing team’s dream if they’re able to boast about how the car they’re trying to flog has lapped the 12.9-mile ribbon of tarmac a few tenths faster than its nearest competitor – even if, more often than not, it doesn’t translate into a something that’s better to drive on your local B road.
With some carmakers enjoying access to their own development facilities at the 'ring, a record-setting lap is becoming ever more difficult. So some are following in the footsteps of Bentley, which turned its attention to firing a near-production Continental GT up Pikes Peak. Sure, it’s a tad shorter at 12.4 miles, but with 1,440 metres of elevation and devastating drops the higher you get, it’s arguably the more gruelling of the two. Even without the gravel.
Records are easier to come by, too. So when Bentley took its Continental GT to the hill climb in 2020, with Pikes Peak legend Rhys Millen behind the wheel, it breezed to a production car record with a time of 10 minutes and 18.4 seconds, beating a 991-generation Porsche 911 Turbo S by eight seconds. And it was a stock model, too. Well, compared to the type of carbon-clad prototypes that Pikes Peak typically attracts. Safety measures meant the car was fitted with a roll cage, racing seats and fire extinguisher. And, while they were at it, an Akrapovic exhaust system was thrown in for good measure. We even drove the record-setting car a couple of years ago.
Bentley was so happy with its achievement that it decided to build a limited run of Continental GT Pikes Peak Editions to celebrate the record and make a few quid in the process. Based on the W12, the Pikes Peak Edition featured a number of visual upgrades that mirrored the record car. All cars were painted in Radium Green Metallic with black wheels and black wing mirrors. Part of the front bumper was also finished in black to make the car look wider, while an optional sticker pack adds the record-setter’s Pikes Peak graphics down the sides and ‘100’ painted in white on the grille.
Thankfully, the standard seats were fitted to the road version, finished in black with contrasting green stitching, though a carbon fibre dash and Alcantara-trim steering wheel serve as a reminder that, if you’re brave enough, you too can set a searing time up Pikes Peak. Other neat touches include Radium Green Metallic markings for the Pirelli tyres and a Pikes Peak graphic on the wings. Only 15 examples were produced worldwide, of which only a handful were fitted with the graphics pack and even fewer in right-hand drive – making this particular example an ultra-rare find.
Given that it’s a limited-run car that’s only a couple of years old, it’s impressive that the previous owner clocked up 2,000 miles behind the wheel. It was clearly specced to be used as the Touring Specification package was fitted, bringing with it a head-up display, night vision and lane assist. Okay, so it’s a little pricey at £309,000, but there aren’t many limited-edition motorsport specials that’ll be as effortlessly fast, comfortable and usable as this Pikes Peak special.
SPECIFICATION | BENTLEY CONTINENTAL GT PIKES PEAK EDITION
Engine: 5,950cc, twin-turbocharged W12
Transmission: 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive
Power (hp): 635@6,000rpm
Torque (lb ft): 664@1,350rpm
MPG: 20.8 (claimed)
CO2: 278g/km
Year registered: 2020
Recorded mileage: 2,000
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £309,000
In 20 years time, when this current shape continental has depreciated like the early 2000's model, to new fiesta money, while frequenting flat roofed pub car parks with matte black wheels, will the fact that this is a "limited" run model, albeit with just a few stickers, really make it sizeably more valuable. I really can't see that happening.
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