There’s a battle being waged within the Volkswagen Group to see who can make the fastest SUV. Porsche contends with top versions of the Cayenne, while Lamborghini takes it on with the new Urus. But Bentley has laid its own claim to the prize, and cemented its standing this weekend at Pikes Peak.

Driving a near-production-spec Bentayga, veteran hillclimber Rhys Millen drove up the Colorado mountain in 10:49.9.

That’s not enough to challenge parent company Volkswagen’s record-breaking I.D. R racer, but it was enough to claim the record for the fastest production SUV ever to enter the legendary Race to the Clouds.

According the Bentley, Millen’s time was nearly two seconds faster than the previous record for its type. Through the 156 turns and nearly 5,000 feet of ascent, Millen averaged 66.5 miles per hour (107 km/h), summoning all 600 horsepower (447 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm_ of torque that the Bentayga’s 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine can muster – not to mention the superlative body control enabled by its 48-volt active suspension and the stopping power of its carbon-ceramic brakes.

“To take a luxury SUV with minimal modifications and be able to drive up this course in under 11 minutes is a huge testament to the performance and level of engineering in the Bentayga,” said Millen. “I had a great run – the car was planted all the way up and gave me the confidence I needed to push hard.”

In celebration of the record run, Bentley will offer just ten examples of a special limited-edition Bentayga. Each will be crafted in-house by Mulliner in either Beluga black or Radium green, with two-tone 22-inch wheels, black trim, special Pikes Peak graphics, and an interior decked out in black and lime leather and Alcantara trim, with Eliade technical cloth headliner and carbon-fiber trim.

Bentayga Pikes Peak Limited Edition - Interior copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
Bentayga Pikes Peak Limited Edition - Exterior with Record Breaker copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
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Bentley Pikes Peak Bentayga, June 2018 Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
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Bentayga Pikes Peak Limited Edition - Interior copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
Bentayga Pikes Peak Limited Edition - Exterior with Record Breaker copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
Bentayga Pikes Peak Limited Edition - Exterior Dynamic copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
6 - Post-Race copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
5 - Rhys Millen copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
Bentley Pikes Peak Bentayga, June 2018 Photo: James Lipman / jameslipman Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
3 - Bentayga Pikes Peak - Race copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
2 - Bentayga Pikes Peak - Rhys Millen copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak
1 - Bentayga Pikes Peak - Finish Line copy Bentley Bentayga Takes The Record As The Fastest Production SUV At Pikes Peak