What a choice! When ordering your Bentley Bentayga you can chose between a petrol V8, a diesel V8, or one of the world’s most sophisticated and complex engines, the W12, which also operates on petrol.
Some people would say that you would be spoiled for choice simply by being in a position to afford a Bentley. Indeed, prices range from R3 395 000 for both the petrol and diesel V8 models to R3 9995 for the “entry level” W12. Then there are the special W12 models, the Bentayga Speed costing R4 595 000 and the W12 Mulliner costing R5 195 000.
Prices for Bentleys can rise by alarming amounts to us “normal mortals”. When I sampled the Bentayga on a media drive in July 2018 the Diesel model cost R2 950 000. This means that in 20 months the price has risen for the least-expensive model by some R445 000!
The engine line-up
The V8 petrol engine displaces 3 993 and employs a pair of twin-scroll turbocharges, located within the “V” of the V8 cylinder block, to produce 404 kW and 770 Nm of torque. This engine has the ability to by-pass 4 of its cylinders when not under load, during coasting and very light throttle openings. This and other fuel-saving measures impart a claimed average consumption of 11,4 litres/100 km, which in reality would probably work out at around 15 to 16 litres/100 km.
The acceleration is excellent, 01-00 km/h coming up in 4,3 seconds, while the top speed is rated at a heady 290 km/h.
The V8 diesel is also special, being a development of the V8 drawn from the Volkswagen AG Group, which owns Bentley. The engine measures 3 956 cc in cylinder displacement and features a unique “triple-charging” induction system. This means it employs a pair of twin-scroll turbochargers, one for each cylinder bank, as well as an electrical 48 Volt “booster” that spools up the turbos more quickly.
The result is no lag, and this is further indicated by the fact that its maximum torque figure of 900 Nm occurs at just 1 000 rpm. Maximum power output is 320 kW and Bentley claims an average consumption figure of just 8,0 litres/100 km. During my day spent with the Bentayga diesel 20 months ago, consumption ranged between 9,5 and 10,5 litres/100 km, which is excellent.
The W12 petrol engine is a recent development of this engine configuration which has been around for some time. It was first seen in a Bentley in a Continental GT well over a decade ago. The W12 engine in the Bentayga employs twin turbochargers for its capacity of 5 950 cc. In standard W12 form it produces 447 kW and 900 Nm of torque. This figure rises to 467 kW in the Bentayga Speed and Bentayga W12 Mulliner models. The Bentayga Speed is the fastest of the range with a 0-100 km/h time of 3,9 seconds and a top speed of 306nkm/h.
So which engine is best?
There was a bit of a fuss when Bentley launched this SUV and also introduced its first diesel model. There were fears that a Bentley diesel would not have the luxurious feel, coupled to sporting charisma, that the marque deserves. Bentley claims that this diesel engine is the “most refined diesel in the world” and having experienced it, I would heartily agree with that statement, despite the fact that many other engine makes produce excellent diesels these days that hardly sound like diesels.
The diesel produces performance figures of 0-100 km/h in 4,8 seconds and a top speed of 270, and surely these are in the “adequate” league (Bentley, like Rolls-Royce, was once famous for never quoting power and performance figures).
The petrol V8 is a wonderfully charismatic engine, while the W12 is a masterpiece of complexity and packaging. But for us, the diesel engine, with its stonking torque output, epitomises the unfussed travel that has been a hallmark of the Bentley experience, and this is why it is our choice in this comparison. It also doesn’t hurt that (along with theidentically-priced petrol V8 model), the Bentayga Diesel is the most affordable of Bentley SUVs!
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