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Bentley climbs Pikes Peak on biofuel in 2021
The Continental GT3 Pikes Peak is the first Bentley to be powered by renewable energy. They want to fight him for victory in the time trial competition at this year's Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado.
The modified Bentley Continental GT3 racer, based on the Bentley race and championship car, is racing this year around the 19,99-kilometer track using biofuel-based gasoline.
Bentley sustainability offensive
Bentley is currently testing various fuel blends. One wants to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 85% compared to standard fossil fuels. This first step marks the start of a program that will examine both biofuels and e-fuels for their potential use in luxury automobiles.
By 2023, the entire Bentley model range will be offered with hybrid variants. From 2030, Bentley will only sell electric cars.
Bentley's Pikes Peak project is being carried out in conjunction with British Continental GT3 customer team FASTR. The team has already used its Bentley racing cars successfully in various time trial races.
[dropcap size=big]GT3[/dropcap]To break the record, the GT3 must complete the almost 20-kilometer climb, which includes 156 corners, at an average speed of more than 128 km/h to reach the finish line in less than nine minutes and 36 seconds to cross.
Bentley driver Rhys Millen
In order to put this sporting goal into practice, Bentley once again relies on the three-time Pikes Peak champion and former "King of the Mountain" Rhys Millen from New Zealand. Millen was Bentley's two existing Pikes Peak records. 2018 with a Bentayga W12. he won the record for production SUVs and in 2019 with a Continental GT the record for production cars.
The Pikes Peak International Hill Climb race has been held since 1916. It is also called “Race to the Clouds”.
The starting line is at an altitude of 2.800 meters and climbs to the finish at 4.301 meters. The air density there is 1/3 lower than at sea level. To compensate for this, the Bentley Continental GT3 Pikes Peak was given a special aerodynamics package.
The largest rear wing ever
The rear of the Bentley Continental GT3 Pikes Peak uses the largest rear wing ever installed on a Bentley. The complete GT3 is only optimized for contact pressure. This is also necessary, in some parts of the race track it goes steeply downhill. An attempt was made to put as much pressure on the asphalt as possible with flaps and attachments all around the vehicle.
The Bentley is powered by a 4,0 liter V8 engine from the Bentley GT. Short side-exit exhausts ensure the car not only sounds dramatic as it looks. They also provide extra performance.
The tests are currently still being carried out in England before the final high-altitude tests are carried out in the USA. The 99th run of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb will then start on June 27, 2021.