Bentley Bentayga: The game-changing ultra-luxury SUV

CREWE, England — Bentley Motors announced last week full details of its pinnacle, segment-defining new model, the Bentayga.

The Bentley Bentayga combines unparalleled luxury with effortless performance and everyday usability, on or off the road. With an all-new W12 powertrain, the Bentayga is the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world. It offers a true Bentley driving experience and showcases innovative technology features.

Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, the Bentayga’s styling is pure Bentley. Sculptural with an elegant, timeless execution, it perfectly balances athleticism with confidence. From the four round LED headlamps and large matrix grille, to the distinctive power line and muscular haunches, the Bentley DNA is apparent throughout.

The Bentayga’s wheel arches, fenders and bonnet deliver a balance between sportiness and SUV presence. The ultra-sharp Bentley powerline and muscular rear haunch display a taut tension inside profile, as part of the largest single-piece aluminum pressing in the automotive world. Trademark Bentley features such as the large matrix grille and B-shaped wing vents afford the Bentayga a modern, dynamic elegance.

To emphasize the go-anywhere nature of the Bentayga, the Bentley design team has integrated a stylish skid plate into the lower section of the front bumper, just below the floating wing motif.

The newest Bentley boasts the world’s finest automotive cabin, with unrivalled levels of precision. The detailing in metal, wood and leather–including meticulous tolerances between elements of trim –is the epitome of modern British luxury. This level of perfection is only achievable thanks to the exceptional craft and skill of Bentley’s colleagues in Crewe.

The four-seat configuration makes the ultimate statement in design, comfort and luxury.  The two individual rear seats adjust in 18 different ways and include massage and ventilation functions as well as footrests.  The veneered rear console hides additional functionality such as cup holders, generous storage areas and USB charging sockets.

An all-new twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine isat the heart of the new Bentayga. The mighty 12-cylinder unit combines efficiency and refinement with ultra-luxurious levels of power and torque. With 608ps and 900Nm delivering a blistering 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds and a stunning top speed of 301 km/h, the Bentayga is the world’s most powerful and fastest SUV.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, comments: “The Bentayga is truly the Bentley of SUVs. It redefines luxury in the SUV sector and offers a genuine Bentley experience in any environment, thanks to a combination of unparalleled attention to detail, go-anywhere ability and cutting-edge technology. With this extraordinary car we are looking forward to an exciting period of strong growth and sales success for Bentley. The Bentayga is the next step in our brand’s bold future.”

The Bentayga offers the widest range of on-and off-road drive settings of any vehicle via Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Mode and optional Responsive Off-Road Setting. Up to eight modes are available, allowing drivers, at the simple turn of a dial to select the perfect dynamic set-up for any surface or road condition. This versatility is complemented by Bentley Dynamic Ride (electrically activated48V active roll control) and Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS).

Responsive Off-Road Setting allows the customer to select the appropriate vehicle settings for a wide range of off-road surfaces, while the Driver Information Panel displays information on pitch, roll, wheel articulation, steering angle, compass bearing and altitude.

Other innovative systems available on the Bentayga include Electronic Night Vision, which uses infra-red technology to identify potential obstacles ahead. Rear seat passengers benefit from the introduction of the Bentley Entertainment Tablet –a removable 10.2” Android device with 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth for effortless, high-speed on-board connectivity.

The development program for the Bentayga has been the most exhaustive in the Bentley brand’s history, ranging across five continents. From the dirt and gravel of South Africa and the dunes of Dubai, to the muddy fields of Cheshire, and from -30°C in the frozen North Cape to searing 50°C desert heat, the Bentayga’s ability to perform on any surface and even in the most extreme conditions has been proven.

The Bentayga has also driven more than 400 laps of the famous Nürburgring Nordschleife circuit, as part of developing the dynamic performance of the

chassis and fine-tuning the relevant control and stability systems.

The Bentayga will make its full public debut at the IAA Frankfurt Show from15 to 27 September. Customer deliveries commence in early 2016. Future models will include a diesel-powered variant, a hybrid, as well as a seven-seater option.