Bentley marks Pikes Peak record with special Bentayga

Bentley has set a new record time for a standard production SUV at the Pikes Peak International hill climb in Colorado, USA.

Driven by Kiwi racer, Rhys Millen, the Bentley Bentayga W12 completed the 19.9km hill climb in 10 minutes 49.9 seconds, smashing the existing record of 12 minutes 35.6 seconds that was set back in 2014 in a Range Rover Sport.

To help commemorate the record-breaking time up the Colorado mountain, the British car maker has created a new special edition based on its luxurious SUV.

Just 10 Bentley Bentyaga Pikes Peak Limited Editions will be made and each mimic the specially-prepared SUV that Millen raced up the mountain.

That means the ultra-limited Bentayga is offered in the same retina-searing 'Radium' paint job, although, a black finish is also available for those not accustomed to the limelight.

Featuring large 22-inch alloy wheels painted, again, in the luminous shade of green the Bentayga comes with dark chrome and the optional carbon-fibre exterior trim package that's already available on the standard SUV.

Small 'Pikes Peak' badge on the front wings also mark out the special edition externally.

Inside, the bright green theme continues, with flashes of green highlights used on the seats, door cards and dash.

Instead of wood, the Pikes Peak Bentley uses carbon-fibre inserts and employs sporty Alcantara suede wrap for the steering wheel.

On the dash, as well as commemorative logo there's a sketch of the famous hill climb.

Under the bonnet the standard twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 engine deploys its 447kW/900Nm through an eight-speed automatic gearbox and permanent all-wheel drive.

That means, the special edition takes the same 4.1 seconds to reach 100km/h (from standard) as the regular Bentayga W12.

Top speed is also claimed to be somewhere north of 300km/h but, like the race car, the special Bentley SUV comes with a standard sports exhaust.

The British car maker says the Bentayga Pikes Peak Limited Edition also comes standard with the Touring Specification pack that adds adaptive cruise control, a head-up display and night vision.

Pricing for the celebratory Bentayga has not been announced, neither is it known if any of the special run of ten cars are destined for Down Under but it's thought if they do expect a healthy premium over the existing $423,600 (plus ORCs) Bentley charges for the regular Bentayga W12.