Is the first-ever Bentley SUV, the Bentley Bentayga, the world’s ultimate SUV?

Unthinkable just a few years ago, the idea of a Bentley SUV came as a shock.  But here it is – the Bentley Bentayga is here.

Unlike the concept SUV

The first images of the EXP 9 F concept SUV, as precursor before it was named Bentayga, caused the taste police to be inundated with complaints.  Has Bentley gone too far in designing an intentionally visually disruptive SUV concept?  Is this their vision of the ultimate SUV?

Well, the production Bentley Bentayga looks much more Bentley Continental turned SUV than that super-bold concept, so Bentley could be seen as rather playing it (too?) safe.

A true Bentley, but with off-road ability

People love their Range Rovers, and Land Rover even recently added Long wheelbase and top specced SVAutobiography models to cater for a more exclusive offering in a crowded world of SUVs.  So is there a demand for an even more luxurious SUV?  Apparently so.  With the top-end Bentley, Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce cars all, well, cars, there is a gap for a top-end SUV.  Maserati is readying its Lavanté which will also be their first SUV.

The design brief for the production SUV was simple:  keep it a true Bentley, meaning supreme luxury, comfort, effortless performance and everyday usability, but add off-road ability… and while you are at it, make it the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV ever built.  Simple.

The 4 headlamps, matrix grille and muscular rear haunches are Bentley styling traits.  In profile view, a Bentley is designed to have lines which mimic a boat speeding in the water, causing 2 waves along the front and rear side.  All of the above are included in the Bentayga.

World’s first W12-engined SUV

While the internet rumour mill spewed out the idea of the Range Rover getting a V12 engine, Audi slotted a V12 diesel into its 6.0 TDI V12 (though had a short lifespan, and was not repeated) while Mercedes-Benz jumped ahead with the G65 AMG getting their 6.0 V12 turbo petrol power.

Bentley uses its pair of V6s joined together in a compact W cylinder layout to make their W12.  This is familiar from the previous and current Bentley Continental sports-luxury coupé and convertible range.  The 6.0 W12 turbo is fitted to the Bentley Bentayga, and produces a nice round 600bhp (447kW) and a strong 900Nm of torque. 

Powerful engine, but is it enough for a big Bentley-heavy weight?  Numbers are 4.1 seconds for the 0-100km/h sprint… so it matches the Porsche Cayenne turbo S time of 4.1 seconds, and just-just beats (by a tenth of second) the other Germans:  BMW X5 M / X6 M and the Mercedes-AMG GLE63 S / GLE63 S coupé already get their 2-ton+ 4x4s to 100 in 4.2 sec. 

The Bentley pushes the Cayenne turbo S off its pedestal to beat its 284km/h max by a clear margin as the fastest top-end, with the first ever SUV to reach a top speed of 301 km/h.

Interior handcrafted at the Home of Bentley

The Bentayga is designed to offer a genuine Bentley experience, and moves the SUV sector into the British handcrafted wood and leather for the first time.

Attention to the finest detail, whether wood, leather or metal, is achievable thanks to the skilled workforce at the Crewe factory.

There is an option of 4 or 5-seat configuration, and all leather is available in the quilted diamond-pattern and contrast stitching.  Only the finest hides are used, and coloured in various choices of single or duo-tone upholstery.

Go an adventure, without roughing it

The Bentley Bentayga is designed to offer the full Bentley luxury car experience in places where Bentleys have never been.  Now you can take your Bentley on that adventurous dirt road and even off-road.  It was tested across gravel of South Africa, sand dunes in Dubai, and muddy fields of Cheshire… across the extremes of temperature, through freezing snow and ice to searing desert heat.

The wheels are 20-inch as standard, with 21 and 22 diameter options offered.

The Bentayga is 5141mm long, 1998mm wide (across the width of the body, excluding mirrors, which needs a 2223mm wide space) and height of 1742mm.

Weight watchers

As Bentleys tend to be on the very heavy side, easily weighing 2.5 tons, what would a bigger higher SUV weigh?  Nearly 3 tons?  Thanks to the use of aluminium construction weight watchers, the kerb weight of 2422kg is lighter than expected.

Bentley Dynamic Ride uses 48V system

The world’s first electric active roll technology, through an unrivalled 48V system.  The adaptive reactive system is installed to offer a smooth ride, countering the high centre of gravity and unwanted pitch-and-roll movements in a high SUV.  The 48 Volt electrical system is pioneering, to provide enough power to this demanding suspension setup.

3 built-in rear compartments fitted in the boot?

Yes, 1 compartment for the champagne bottles and flutes, 1 for the silver stowed cutlery, and 1 for the Bentley blanket and a small storage.  Just what sir/madam needs for sir/madam’s adventure out.  Obviously.

Ultimate SUV?

Short answer, yes.  The Bentley Bentayga is the most powerful and most luxurious and fastest SUV.  Welcome to the new world where utmost luxury comes in SUV form.