Bentley enters Bentayga into Pikes Peak
The six-time Le Mans winner has its sights set on a production SUV record in Colorado Springs
All this makes the prospect of seeing a 2.5 tonne Bentley Bentayga on the start line seem fairly reasonable. The British marque has entered its W12 model in the Exhibition class, although apparently it secretly harbours ambitions of setting a new record for production SUVs. (The car is being prepared by the motorsport division, but will only be modified to satisfy the regulations rather than stripped bare.) Somewhat less of a secret is the brand's desire to put the Bentayga's performance bias firmly on the map in North America, where it needs the car to sell by the bucketload.
As a result, Crewe is taking its first entry at Pikes Peak fairly seriously. "Since its launch, the Bentayga has set the luxury SUV benchmark with its unique combination of bespoke British craftsmanship, performance and grand touring ability. We hope to set another benchmark at the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb by conquering the most demanding mountain road course in the world," said Bentley's Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush.
Of course 'conquering' the famous toll road is easier said than done. The entire route might have been paved since 2012, but there're still 156 opportunities for embarassing and/or spectacular misfortune to befall you - not to mention the power-sapping prospect of finishing at 14,110 ft. Doubtless Bentley will spend the run-up to June 24th reminding us that the Bentayga has over 600hp and 664lb ft of torque from its 6.0-litre engine and the car is underpinned by its fiendishly clever 48-volt active anti-roll system. It will need to make good use of both to make a telling impact on the Rocky Mountains.
Rather ironically the whole route is now paved, so you do not even need an "off roader" to go up there, just an SUV fatmobile with command driving position. Would rather have the old days with gravel etc, the new 500bhp V8 Defender would possibly put the smackdown on it, Battle of Britain....
Having said that, depreciation hasn't been kind to the Bentayga and you can now get them with less than 10k on the clock for £100k below their rrp's.
Having said that, depreciation hasn't been kind to the Bentayga and you can now get them with less than 10k on the clock for £100k below their rrp's.
Having said that, depreciation hasn't been kind to the Bentayga and you can now get them with less than 10k on the clock for £100k below their rrp's.
It doesn't beat this in the looks department or offroad capability
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