Can you believe after all these years, Bentley have built an SUV-or 4x4 as we commonly call them. We can’t believe it ourselves. The problem is, people associate the Bentley brand as prestigious, luxury cars only, and never did the world think that this brand would venture into this area of motoring. We know that when the GT was first designed a lot of people were in total awe of this amazing car. It had, and still does have it all. The body and shape is enough to turn heads, the interior is the luxury you’d expect from this exclusive brand and then theres the 6 litre engine that can make this car purrrrr like a cat when its ready to pounce.
But that’s the GT, a tried and tested recipe for motoring success. So lets see what this SUV has to offer. Its clearly going to be everything you’d expect on the inside. You get a choice of hundreds of colours of leather and styles. You can design your own stitching and choose a colour whether it will be the same as the leather or a contrast colour and then there’s the range of finishes you get, from walnut to piano black. There is no other 4x4 out there that will offer this service unless you pay someone like Kahn Design to spruce it up- and thats not cheap.
The pictures that you see of the new Bentley SUV aren’t 100% accurate though as Bentley have been very cagey. Apart from the people involved with the design, nobody actually knows what this car is going to look like. When it was first launched in 2012, as a concept car called the EXP 9F, the look didn’t go down too well with the public and motoring journalists alike, so Bentley’s company bosses have stated its going to look completely different to what people saw two years ago.
Bentley Bentayga Overview
The Bentley Bentayga, first introduced in 2015, marked Bentley’s debut in the luxury SUV market. Combining the brand’s trademark elegance, comfort, and performance with the practicality and ruggedness of an SUV, the Bentayga has set a new benchmark in the ultra-luxury SUV segment. Offering a range of powerful engines and a highly customisable interior, the Bentayga seamlessly blends off-road capability with on-road luxury, catering to a discerning clientele.
Design and Development
Bentley developed the Bentayga as an SUV that would uphold the brand’s legacy of refinement while delivering all-terrain performance. Its design is unmistakably Bentley, with a bold front grille, signature round headlights, and sculpted body lines. The Bentayga’s imposing yet sophisticated presence is a reflection of Bentley’s craftsmanship, with every detail designed to convey elegance and power.
Chassis and Drivetrain
The Bentayga was initially based on the Volkswagen Group’s MLB platform, shared with other high-end SUVs like the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. However, Bentley engineers fine-tuned the platform to deliver the refined driving experience expected from the marque. The SUV comes equipped with an all-wheel-drive system and advanced suspension technology, ensuring a smooth and capable drive both on and off the road.
Performance
The Bentley Bentayga is available with a range of engines, from the mighty W12 to a more efficient V8 and a hybrid powertrain.
W12 Engine
The flagship model features a 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine, producing 600 horsepower and 900 Nm of torque, enabling the Bentayga to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 4.0 seconds and reach a top speed of 187 mph. Despite its size, the W12 engine ensures supercar-level performance, making the Bentayga one of the fastest SUVs on the market.
V8 Engine
For those seeking a balance between performance and fuel efficiency, Bentley offers a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, generating 542 horsepower and 770 Nm of torque. This engine provides a slightly slower 0 to 60 mph time of 4.4 seconds but delivers a more engaging driving experience with its lighter front-end handling.
Hybrid
Bentley also introduced a plug-in hybrid version of the Bentayga, combining a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine with an electric motor. This variant focuses on reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency without compromising on luxury or performance. The hybrid model offers a purely electric range of approximately 31 miles, making it suitable for short urban commutes while still providing long-range comfort.
Driving Experience
Driving the Bentayga is a sublime experience, with its adjustable air suspension delivering a smooth ride, even on rough terrain. Bentley’s Dynamic Ride system ensures body roll is minimised during cornering, while the active all-wheel-drive system provides excellent traction on different surfaces.
The Bentayga is also equipped with multiple driving modes, including a dedicated off-road mode that adjusts the vehicle’s performance for challenging conditions such as snow, sand, or gravel. The combination of advanced technologies and Bentley’s engineering ensures that the Bentayga excels both on highways and off the beaten path.
Interior and Features
The interior of the Bentayga is nothing short of exquisite, offering unparalleled luxury. Handcrafted leather, polished wood veneers, and metal accents are used throughout the cabin. Each Bentayga is custom-built, allowing customers to choose from a vast array of materials, colours, and trims. The attention to detail extends to the stitching of the seats, the design of the dashboard, and the placement of controls, which are intuitively positioned for ease of use.
Technology-wise, the Bentayga is equipped with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an optional rear-seat entertainment package, and a suite of advanced driver assistance features. Optional features include a 20-speaker Naim audio system, rear privacy screens, and even a bespoke Mulliner cooler for drinks.
Legacy and Market Impact
The Bentley Bentayga has had a profound impact on the luxury SUV market. It expanded Bentley’s customer base, appealing to those who desired a vehicle capable of both high-performance driving and luxurious comfort on any terrain. Its success has encouraged other ultra-luxury brands, such as Rolls-Royce and Aston Martin, to introduce their own SUVs, further solidifying the growing popularity of this vehicle segment.
The Bentley Bentayga remains one of the most refined and capable luxury SUVs on the market, offering a blend of Bentley’s renowned craftsmanship, advanced technology, and high-performance engineering. Whether cruising on the highway or tackling off-road terrain, the Bentayga provides an unparalleled experience for those seeking the ultimate combination of luxury and versatility in an SUV.
Bentley Number Plates
2016 is when it will be launched and with orders already being taken before people have actually seen it, proves that Bentley don’t really need to advertise their product. We assume that most of these orders will be from the Middle East so with a price tag of £130,000 or more, its a drop in the ocean for wealthy Arabs.
As long as it’s a Bentley, who cares. All we really know at this point is its name. The Bentley Bentayga. We’re sure it will look amazing especially with a BEN registration number from The Private Plate Company. Contact us on 01639 888833 for any help and advice on buying or selling a personalised registration number.
Photo by Adnan Pervaiz on Unsplash