It’s Christmas for motorsport fans during this time of the year! Three weeks ago was the Indy 500, earlier this month was the Isle of Man TT, this past weekend was the 24 Heures du Mans, and this coming weekend is the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.
As we previously reported, Bentley Motors are aiming to claim the record of fastest production SUV to compete at the gruelling 20km race. The Crewe-based luxury manufacturer is set to use a stripped-out Bentley Bentayga - dropping 300kgs - for the attempt, in a bit to take the record currently held by Land Rover's Range- Rover Sport.
The primary changes to the Bentayga are the addition of racing seats, a roll cage, an on-board fire suppression system, carbon ceramic brakes and a custom Akrapovic Exhaust System. The 6.0-litre bi-turbo W12 is untouched and produces 447kw and 900nm, and it will even run on ‘production’ Pirelli tyres.
Drift-God Rhys Millen will pilot the Bentayga for the 156-corner hillclimb. Rhys is a two-time winner of the event, a respected stuntman (having done most of the drift work in The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift), as well as one of the prolific drifters in the world. His most recent work includes drifting a BMW M4 CS in the 2018 Pennzoil video, entitled "Escaping the Nürburgring'.
The record attempt is planned for Sunday.
Also worth a look: the In the lap of luxury - the finest motorcars for the world’s and the Bentley Flying Spur Enters Production.
FAQ
Q: What does the Bentley Bentayga W12 cost in South Africa?
The Bentley Bentayga W12 starts at around R4,200,000 in South Africa, making it one of the priciest SUVs you can buy locally, but you're getting 447kW of twin-turbo W12 madness and hand-crafted British luxury.
Q: Is the Bentley Bentayga W12 worth buying?
If you've got the cash and want the ultimate luxury SUV that can embarrass supercars at the traffic lights, absolutely, but at R4,200,000 you're paying serious money for the privilege of owning what's essentially a rocket ship disguised as a posh school run vehicle.
Q: How fast is the Bentley Bentayga W12?
The Bentayga W12 rockets from 0-100kph in just 4.1 seconds thanks to its 447kW twin-turbo W12 engine producing 900Nm of torque, making it faster than most sports cars despite weighing as much as a small planet.
Q: What are the main competitors to the Bentley Bentayga W12?
The Bentayga W12's main rivals include the Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, and Range Rover Sport SVR, but none can match the sheer opulence and presence of the hand-built British beast.
Should You Buy It?
The Bentley Bentayga W12 at R4,200,000 is for those who want the absolute pinnacle of luxury SUV ownership in South Africa. If you can afford it without checking your bank balance twice, go for it, you'll own the most prestigious SUV on South African roads with performance that'll leave supercars wondering what just passed them. However, if you need to think about the running costs, maintenance bills, or fuel consumption, maybe stick to something more sensible like a Porsche Cayenne Turbo at half the price.
