On the heels of Bentley’s domineering Pikes Peak run last year, the luxury brand has announced that it’ll be taking its award-winning Continental GT into new areas of the road racing circuit — most notably, its ice-faring counterpart. For 2020, the powerful platform aims to secure yet another storied performance at the upcoming GP Ice Race in Zell am See, adding to the company’s record-breaking 2007 and 2011 showings.
Bentley’s transition from the blacktop to the less-predictable, ice-covered roadway doesn’t come without its own intricacies. For the GP, the company’s 626-horsepower, W12 twin-turbocharged Continental GT has taken on a slew of winter-ready parts, including three-chamber air springs, a 48V active anti-roll control system, and iron brakes. But that’s not all — a selection of performance-oriented safety measures have been implemented to keep the car as dependable as possible, calling upon an on-board fire suppression system, rear roll cage, race-approved harnesses, and seats, and a ride-height increase to clear obscured objects. On the vehicle’s roof, a bespoke rack system displays a set of Bomber for Bentley Centenary Edition skis. Look for the car at this year’s GP Ice Race, where it will be helmed by Bentley’s first modern-day female rally racer, Catie Munnings.
