Bentley vs. Alpine: Which of These Winter Rides is Your Favourite?
Winter sport enthusiasts are not the only ones having a blast these days. Two automakers, Bentley and Alpine, have just unveiled some exceptional cars that are perfectly in tune with the season.
First, a Continental GT specially prepared by Bentley Motorsport will compete at the 2020 GP Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria this upcoming weekend. A skijoring event (where a skier is towed by a car over a track of snow and ice) is also part of the program.
The Ice Race Continental GT’s livery pays tribute to its record-breaking compatriot from the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in June 2019. It also shares the same twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine rated at 626 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, resulting in a 0-100 km/h time of 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 333 km/h.
This unique Bentley Continental GT features three-chamber air springs, a 48V active anti-roll control system, iron brakes and a custom exhaust system from Akrapovic. For the purpose of the race, it is equipped with a rear roll cage, racing seats with harnesses, increased ground clearance, wheel arch extensions that accommodate a 15-mm increase in track width, plus studded Pirelli Scorpion Ice Zero2 tires. Completing the package is a bespoke roof rack fitted with a pair of Bomber for Bentley Centenary Edition skis as well as a brace of Lazer high-performance lights.
“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,” said Junior World Rally Championship driver Catie Munnings.
Meanwhile, French automaker Alpine turned heads at the Festival automobile international de Paris with the introduction of the A110 SportsX concept, which is based on the slick new A110. There are no plans to make a production model out of it, but it’s certainly a cool project.
Instead of a massive rear wing like the powerful A110 Rally race car, the car’s profile is transformed by a ski rack over the rear window along with a 3.1-inch wider body and 2.4-inch gain in ground clearance.
Styling is enhanced with a black hood, roof and wheels, a more aggressive aero treatment up front, “X” marks on the fog lights and little French flags throughout.
So, which one do you prefer: the Ice Race Bentley Continental GT or the Alpine A110 SportsX?