► Prepared by M-Sport
► Will use a 600hp W12 engine
► Taking part in this year’s hill climb
We drove a W12 version of the Bentley Bentayga earlier this year, and found it to be proficient but expensive all-rounder. Thanks to a stunning interior that feels every inch what it costs, along some seriously nice design cues, the Bentayga is luxurious – but not what’d we’d call a performnce car. But now Bentley wants to take on the 2018 Pikes Peak hill climb with one.
What? The 2018 Pikes Peak hill climb?
That’s right, Bentley will be entering this year’s Pikes Peak challenge, and it’s really going to use one of the biggest, heaviest cars you could think of. As you’d expect, the Bentayga Bentley will be heavily modified, and CAR understands it’ll be prepared by M-Sport Racing – the organisation behind the current Ford WRC car.
What’s more, M-Sport is also the same outfit behind the highly successful Bentley Continental GT racer, so it’s well versed in making heavy, luxurious cars race winners.
It won’t be all different though; the new Pikes PeakBentyaga should use a 600hp, W12 powerplant based on the one in the road car. The project is being led by Bentley’s Director of Motorsport Brian Gush.
‘Since its launch, the Bentayga has set the luxury SUV benchmark with its unique combination of bespoke British craftsmanship, performance and grand touring ability,’ he said. ‘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.’
There’s not too much information apart that that, but we’re hoping Bentley will reveal more pictures, specs and data on its new challenger, soon. The 156 corner, 12.42 mile hill climb takes place on the 24th June, so hopefully we’ll know more about the Pikes Peak Bentayga by then, at least.