Bentley has just announced that its Bentayga SUV will take part in the International Pike's Peak Hill Climb for the first time next June 24th. In fact, it'll be the first time any Bentley vehicle has taken part in the annual event. Of course, it'll be the W12-powered Bentayga with 600 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque that'll take on the treacherous 12.42-mile course in Colorado Springs. All of that power is distributed to all four wheels, something that'll surely come in handy with what the SUV will be up against.

With a total of 156 corners of ascending asphalt, Bentley's goal is for the Bentayga to navigate the course faster than any other SUV. The chosen Bentayga is already being prepped at Bentley's motorsport department at its headquarters in Crewe, England. The work is being headed by Bentley's Director of Motorsport, Brian Gush. "Since its launch, the Bentayga has set the luxury SUV benchmark with its unique combination of bespoke British craftsmanship, performance and grand touring ability," Gush said. "We hope to set another benchmark at the 2018 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb by conquering the most demanding mountain road course in the world."

Bentley has not gone into further detail regarding upgrades being made to that chosen Bentayga, but we imagine there are quite a few. And yes, it was bound to happen at some point for an SUV, and a hardcore luxury one at that, to enter Pike's Peak. We can't think of a better one to be the first. More details to come.