After a drawn-out launch ramp, Bentley has finally pulled back the sheets to reveal its Bentayga SUV. The vehicle that the German-owned British automaker brings into the fray as fastest and most powerful out there.
We’ve seen plenty of the Bentayga before, albeit covered up with camouflage, from cold weather winter testing to tackling some off-road terrain to a shockingly accurate miniature model. Now that it has been revealed, Bentley is gearing up for its full debut at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show.
This handmade SUV starts out life in Bentley’s manufacturing facility in Crewe, England and was intended to combine luxury, off-road ability, high performance, and everyday usability. Have they achieved that?
Up front we find a fascia that identifies itself clearly as a Bentley, there are four round LED headlamps that flank a large central matrix grille. This tapers to the lines that run down the side that resemble those on a Continental GT. There’s also an integrated skid plate, emphasizing its go-anywhere ability. Much of the car’s silhouette is identical to that seen on footage of its testing prototype.
The body itself is constructed of light aluminum and Bentley claims a weight saving of 236kg compared to a conventionally constructed body. Glass panels cover the majority of the Bentayga’s roof. Access to the cargo area is made easier with a hands-free electrically operable tailgate and folding seats allow for a very capacious and practical proposition.
Its all-new 6.0-litre twin-turbo W12 TSI engine will make quick work of any need for acceleration too with 600hp and 900Nm of torque available on tap, which enables the Bentayga to dispatch the century sprint in just 4.0 seconds and on to a top speed of 301km/h.
The new powertrain is fitted to an 8-speed ZF torque converter automatic, sending drive to all four wheels. Bentley claims this new package 11.9 percent more efficient that their existing powertrains.
The Bentayga’s interior is typical of Bentley’s luxurious standards with handcrafted wood and metal trim framing the high-quality leather upholstery. It can be configured in a four or five seat layout with the driver’s seat equipped with a six-program massage system, seat heating and ventilation.
There’s an 8-inch infotainment LCD touchscreen display that drives media through three audio system options including an 18-speaker arrangement by Naim that pushes 1,950 Watts.
Also equipped is Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Mode which provides eight driver-selectable modes which includes an optional Responsive Off-Road setting, as well as computer-controlled air springs with four different ride heights, Traffic Assist, Park Assist, and Adaptive Cruise Control.
Adding to the luxury, a bespoke mechanical Breitling Mulliner Tourbillon clock can also be specified. It is machined from solid gold, rose or white, with a selection of mother-of-pearl or black ebony face and decorated with eight diamond indexes.
Keyword: 2017 Bentley Bentayga, The World's Fastest SUV Revealed Ahead Of Frankfurt Debut