Some would expect that the Bentley Bentayga would be the model chilling outside a ski resort, but your eyes are looking at the Bentley Ice Race Continental GT racecar.

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Ice racing

Bentley Motorsport will compete at the 2020 GP Ice Race in Zell am See. To contest this event the works racing division has created the Bentley Ice Race Continental GT. The new racer will be clad in a livery that pays homage to its record-breaking sibling from the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2019.

Ice race in Zell am See was first run in 1937 and revived in 2019. The event features an array of historic and modern race and rally cars. Drivers compete in various vehicle categories over a 600 m frozen racetrack. You can view some of last year’s action in the video below.

Powering the car is a factory built W12 twin-turbocharged engine. The 6,0-litre unit delivers 467 kW along with 900 N.m of peak torque. It can hit 100 km/h from standstill in 3,7 seconds and has a top speed of 333 km/h. The car’s standard three-chamber air springs, active anti-roll system and cast-iron brakes are carried over to the racer from its road-going counterpart.

Modifications over the road car include a rear roll cage, onboard fire suppression system, racing seats and harnesses. An increase in ride height to give greater ground clearance, arch extensions to accommodate a 15 mm increase in track width, studded Pirelli Scorpion tyres, a brace of high-performance lights and a custom exhaust system from Akrapovic

Rally star

Junior World Rally Championship driver Catie Munnings will take to the wheel of the Bentley Ice Race Continental GT in Zell am See. The FIA European Rally Championship Ladies Trophy winner comments: “The opportunity to race with Bentley at Zell am See is one that I couldn’t miss. I’m completely blown away by the car, and I actually still can’t believe I’m getting let loose in a Bentley to do an ice race. I spent some time on ice in the car just before Christmas. At first, I thought it would feel heavy, but I was amazed by how dynamic, nimble and responsive it is. It can dance like a lightweight rally car, and I can’t wait to race it at such an iconic event“

Bentley’s director of motorsport, Paul Williams, comments: “I first drove the prototype Continental GTs on snow during winter testing before the launch of the car. The stability and control this car has on these surfaces is unbelievable and I look forward to seeing it race in those conditions.”