Bentley Bentayga luxury SUV officially unveiled

Bentley Bentayga front quarter

Bentley has officially unveiled the company’s first-ever SUV – the Bentayga.

Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, the Bentayga’s styling is pure Bentley, featuring four round LED headlamps, large matrix grille, distinctive power line and muscular haunches. With an all-new W12 powertrain, the Bentayga is said to be the fastest, most powerful, most luxurious and most exclusive SUV in the world.

Bentley Bentayga front

The mighty 12-cylinder unit combines efficiency and refinement with ultra-luxurious levels of power and torque. With 608 PS (600 bhp / 447kW) and 900 Nm (663 lb. ft) delivering a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds) and a top speed of 187 mph (301 km/h), the Bentayga is claimed to be the world’s most powerful and fastest SUV.

The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The transmission and four-wheel-drive system has been strengthened to handle the demands and high torque levels of off-road driving.

Bentley Bentayga rear quarter-1

A suite of state-of-the-art driver assistance systems and infotainment features designed to enhance safety, comfort and convenience make the Bentayga an innovative, advanced and connected luxury SUV.

It 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 activated 48V active roll control)  and Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS).

Bentley Bentayga rear quarter

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.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) including Stop & Go, Predictive ACC and Traffic Assist enables the driver to maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front. Predictive ACC uses the navigation data, sensors and cameras to predict upcoming corners, city boundaries and speed-limit changes and can then modify the vehicle speed accordingly, improving both comfort and fuel economy.

Bentley Bentayga Multi Terrain dial

In urban environments, there are a number of driver aids available on the Bentayga. These systems – such as Traffic Sign Recognition, which detects a wide variety of traffic signs and displays information to the driver; Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, which uses radar technology to detect crossing traffic when reversing out of a parking space; and Top View, a system which uses four cameras to display an overall picture of the vehicle’s surroundings – combine to enhance everyday usability.

The Bentayga is also available with Park Assist – a system that detects suitable parking spaces (both parallel and perpendicular) before autonomous steering takes over to support parking manoeuvres, even in narrow and tricky spaces.

Other innovative systems available on the Bentayga include Electronic Night Vision, which uses infra-red technology to identify potential obstacles ahead, and a Head-Up Display, which reduces driver distraction and increases safety.

Bentley Bentayga dashboard-1

The Bentayga’s all-new, cutting-edge 8” touch screen infotainment system boasts class-leading navigation technology, a 60GB hard drive, and a choice of up to 30 languages.

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.

Customers can choose between three different sound systems for the Bentayga: Bentley Standard Audio, Bentley Signature Audio and Naim for Bentley Premium Audio. The latter is the most powerful system in the segment, with 1,950 watts, a network of 18 speakers and super-tweeters for unrivalled recreation of the highest audio frequencies.

Bentley Bentayga rear seats

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 will make its full public debut at the IAA Frankfurt Show from 15 to 27 September. Customer deliveries commence in early 2016.

Technical Specification

Engine
Type6-litre twin-turbocharged W12 TSI
Max Power608 PS / 600 bhp / 447 kW @ 5250-6000 rpm
Max Torque900 Nm / 664 lb.ft @1250-4500 rpm
Transmission
DrivelineZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, permanent all-wheel drive, Torsen centre differential, open rear differential, 40:60 front:rear torque split
Ratios1st: 4.71; 2nd: 3.14; 3rd: 2.1; 4th: 1.67; 5th: 1.29; 6th: 1.00; 7th: 0.839; 8th: 0.667
Final Drive2.85
Brakes, Wheels and Tyres
Front Brakes400mm ventilated iron discs
Rear Brakes380mm ventilated iron discs
WheelsStandard 20”, optional 21” and 22”
TyresPirelli 275/50R20, 285/45 R21, 285/45 ZR21, 285/40ZR22
Steering
TypeElectronic Power Assisted Steering, variable ratio
Turns lock-to-lock2.3 turns
Turning circle12.4 m / 40.6 ft
Suspension
FrontFour link double wishbones, optional 48V electric active anti-roll bar
RearTrapezoidal multi-link, optional 48V electric active anti-roll bar
Springs and dampersSelf-levelling air suspension, Continuous Damping Control
Dimensions
Wheelbase2992 mm / 117.8”
Overall length5141 mm / 202.4”
Width (across body)1998 mm / 78.7”
Width (inc. mirrors)2223 mm / 87.5”
Overall height1742 mm / 68.6”
Fuel tank85 litres / 18.7 UK gallons / 22.5 US gallons
Boot volume430 litres / 15.2 cu ft (590 litres / 20.8 cu ft load cover retracted)
Kerb weight (EU)2422 kg / 5340 lb
Gross vehicle weight3250 kg / 7165 lb
Performance – provisional and subject to Type Approval
Top speed187 mph / 301 km/h
0-60 mph4.0 secs
0-100 km/h4.1 secs
Fuel Consumption (EU cycle) – provisional and subject to Type Approval
Urban14.7 mpg / 19.2 litres/100 km
Extra Urban31.0 mpg / 9.1 litres/100 km
Combined22.1 mpg / 12.8 litres/100 km
CO2emissions292 g/km
Fuel Consumption (EPA cycle) – provisional and subject to Type Approval
City (US mpg)14
Highway (US mpg)20
Combined (US mpg)16
Emissions ControlsEU 6 and US LEV III

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