Bentley is having a busy old time of it as the firm approaches its 100th birthday, with a new all-electric GT concept in the works, and a new Pikes Peak hillclimb record too.
Zero emissions concept
Let's start with the EXP 100 GT concept about which we know... nothing. Well, basically nothing. We do know that it will be zero-emissions, but Bentley isn't yet saying whether that means batteries or a hydrogen fuel cell. Most likely it will be batteries, and based on the same electric car platform as the forthcoming Porsche Taycan and Audi e-Tron GT.
All Bentley is saying, officially, for now is that the EXP 100 GT will be: "a transformative zero emissions concept car that will inspire extraordinary human experiences through a perfect blend of technology and craftsmanship."
Make of that what you will, but we'll get to see this new concept in full next Wednesday, the 10th of July, which is Bentley's official 100th birthday.
Hillclimb record
In the meantime, using good old fashioned petrol grunt, Bentley has set a new production car record up the legendary Pikes Peak hillclimb in Colorado.
While Volkswagen itself set a new outright record at the Pike last year with the ID-R electric concept car, this Bentley record is for cars you can actually buy - not that many of us can afford a Continental GT W12 coupe, but hey...
Driven by three-time champion, former "King of the Mountain' Rhys Millen from New Zealand, and wearing the Number 100 as a salute to Bentley's centenary, the Cont GT covered the 20km uphill course in just 10 minutes 18 seconds, knocking 8.4 seconds off the previous record, at an average speed of 113km/h. Not bad, considering that the Pikes Peak course climbs through 5,000-feet of altitude, and has 156 corners.
"One goal in mind"
Bentley's Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush, says: "This new record once again proves that the spirit of endeavour and desire to push the boundaries of automotive performance remain at the beating heart of Bentley. It clearly demonstrates the Continental GT's astonishing breadth of ability."
Millen said after his record run: "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".
Just 12 months ago, the Bentley Bentayga demonstrated its outstanding performance credentials by claiming the outright record for a production SUV on the Pikes Peak course. Again piloted by Millen, the world's most luxurious SUV completed the course in just 10:49.9, taking nearly two minutes off the previous record.