A Majestic Four-Door Bentley from Every Angle

How long has it been since the initial announcement? Yet, in the face of this styling and performance, that waiting time feels insignificant. Bentley's new SUV, the "Bentayga," has finally made its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

The Bentayga is not just Bentley's first production SUV. It is literally the world's most powerful and fastest SUV, equipped with a 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbo engine at the front, producing a maximum output of 608ps (447kW) and peak torque of 900Nm (91.8kgm), boasting a 0-100km/h acceleration of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 301km/h.

The precursor to the Bentayga was the concept car unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, called theEXP 9 F"EXP 9 F." The exterior, based on this EXP 9 F, adopts design cues closer to Bentley's current lineup, emphasizing the family's DNA.

The large front grille continuing from the bonnet, the four headlights (two large, two small) incorporating the main lights, the 20-22 inch wheels, and the boldly flared rear fenders – from any angle, it is unmistakably a majestic four-door Bentley.

It features a long rear overhang for an SUV, but this overhang is a distinctive Bentley design motif inspired by a horseshoe. The tailgate, a first for Bentley, can be opened and closed automatically. The taillights, spanning the tailgate and rear fenders, incorporate a "B" graphic – Bentley's initial – that illuminates, sure to catch the eye when lit.

The Bentayga comes standard with a panoramic sunroof, its glass area covering approximately 60 percent of the entire sunroof surface, measuring 1.35 square meters. Optional aluminum roof rails can also be fitted, capable of carrying up to 100kg of luggage.

The dimensions of this body are announced as: total length 5,141mm, width (excluding mirrors) 1,998mm, height 1,742mm, and a wheelbase of 2,992mm. Adopting a four-door design, it is naturally larger than the "Continental GT", but its total length is about 150mm shorter than the four-door model, and its wheelbase is 70mm shorter. On the other hand, due to the increased ground clearance for off-road driving, its height exceeds 1,700mm, with a ground clearance of over 250mm. Incidentally, this ground clearance can be raised to a maximum of 245mm, or lowered to an access level for easier entry and exit.Flying Spur"Flying Spur," and its height is over 250mm higher than the ground clearance, exceeding 1,700mm. Incidentally, this ground clearance can be raised to a maximum of 245mm, or lowered to an access level for easier entry and exit.

W12 Engine Achieves 12% Fuel Efficiency Improvement

The powertrain, a key concern for Bentley's first SUV, is the aforementioned 6.0-liter W12 direct-injection twin-turbo engine, producing 608ps (447kW) and 900Nm (91.8kgm) of torque, with peak torque available across a wide range from 1,250 to 4,500rpm. This engine is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, with the transmission and all-wheel-drive system strengthened to handle the high torque required for off-road driving. It is expected to effortlessly propel the 2,422kg body to high speeds in any situation.

The relatively light weight of approximately 2.5 tons for a large SUV is achieved through the use of lightweight aluminum and cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, which Bentley states results in a 236kg weight reduction compared to conventional body structures.

The newly designed W12 engine combines two injection methods, achieving significant fuel efficiency improvements and excellent CO2 emissions of 292g/km.

Key contributors to this include a variable cylinder system that deactivates half the cylinders under certain conditions, operating as a 6-cylinder engine, along with start-stop technology. Additionally, a system that disengages the torque converter and allows the engine to idle when the accelerator pedal is released while driving in 5th to 8th gear on highways enables coasting. This results in an 11.9 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the previous engine.

Bentley has a history of actively adopting all-wheel drive among luxury brands, so the AWD system itself is not surprising. However, the AWD system for this first SUV is noteworthy: the "Bentley Drive Dynamics Mode" rotary controller centrally manages vehicle height, damping force, roll control, electronic stability & traction control, and engine/drivetrain settings, allowing for easy adjustments. There are four drive modes for on-road use and four for off-road, offering a level of customization unprecedented in SUVs.

The on-road modes include Sport, Comfort, Bentley (a balanced setting combining Sport and Comfort as conceived by the engineers), and Custom (allowing individual system settings according to driver preference). For off-road, there are four modes: Snow, Grass/Gravel, Mud/Gravel, and Sand. The suspension automatically selects from four pre-set ride heights corresponding to the driving mode, and also adjusts height based on vehicle speed. To achieve the ride comfort and safety of a luxury car along with the off-road capability of an SUV, the chassis is a showcase of currently available electronic devices.

Of course, it is equipped with Electronic Stability Control (ESC), advanced multi-mode Traction Control (TCS), and the indispensable Hill Descent Control (HDC) for SUVs. HDC allows speed to be set between 2km/h and 30km/h for gradients exceeding 5 percent, both when moving forward and in reverse. Furthermore, in off-road driving modes, information such as vehicle height, driving mode, pitch, roll, steering angle, altitude, and compass direction is displayed on the Driver Information Panel, making it easy to grasp the vehicle's status – a key selling point of the Bentayga.

Luxury, Anytime, Anywhere

The interior silently conveys its world through carefully selected materials and high-quality design befitting the Bentley name. A cabin of exceptional quality is constructed using fine leather, real wood panels, and metal. While the double-wing dashboard design, nearly symmetrical left to right, offers no particular novelty, it expands the luxurious space that Bentley customers expect into the SUV's interior.

The instruments on the driver information panel, though digital, are meticulously crafted to perfectly replicate the feel of traditional analog gauges. A head-up display is also projected onto the windshield.

Details like the speaker grilles with their distinctive metal mesh, the three-dimensional clock, and the gear selector etched with fine knurling, all speak to the craftsmanship that unequivocally identifies this car as a Bentley.

The seats are custom-designed for the Bentayga, combining smooth leather with diamond-quilted leather. Depending on the specification, they offer 16 or 22-way power adjustment. Furthermore, the cushion and backrest bolsters are adjustable, and six programs are available for massage, seat heating, and ventilation.

The interior offers a choice of 4- or 5-seat configurations, with an option to add two additional seats in the rear tailgate area. In the 4-seat configuration, each rear seat offers 18-way adjustment, includes massage and ventilation functions, and can be equipped with wood-panel picnic tables on the back of the front seats. The wood-panel rear console is equipped with cup holders, ample storage space, and USB charging ports. The 5-seat configuration allows the rear seats to be folded flat to expand luggage space.

A Pioneer in Luxury SUVs

Acoustic glass, featuring a sound-insulating interlayer between laminated glass for the windshield and side windows, achieves class-leading quietness for an SUV. An invisible metallic layer within the windshield acts as a heater. This metallic layer also blocks solar radiation, suppressing interior temperature rise even on sunny days and promising a comfortable cabin – a feature befitting a super-premium brand.

The infotainment system, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen as the main display, is equipped with a 60GB SSD for onboard media storage. For vehicles with rear-seat entertainment, two 10.2-inch full HD display Android tablets with a Bentley-specific interface, providing access to over a million Android apps, are included. These tablets can communicate externally via the onboard 4G Wi-Fi, allowing for rear climate control adjustments, internet radio, and various streaming services.

The standard sound system combines 10 speakers and a 6-channel amplifier, with an upgrade option to a Signature system featuring 12 speakers, 12 channels, and a 700W amplifier. For those seeking the ultimate audio experience, the "Bentley Premium Sound System" is available, boasting 20 speakers, 21 channels, a 1,950W amplifier, and super tweeters – the highest level for an SUV.

Each Bentayga is meticulously crafted by skilled artisans at Bentley's headquarters in Crewe, England. The aluminum panels used for the body sides are the world's largest single pieces for automotive pressing. Similarly, the aluminum front fenders are produced using Superforming, a process involving air-pressure forming at 500 degrees Celsius, resulting in a seamless, sculpted front end. The paintwork, available in 17 body colors, is hand-applied and mirror-finished in a newly established paint shop.

Beyond the body colors, the interior, with its extensive use of leather and wood panels, can be further customized upon request through Bentley's customization division, Mulliner. With a sufficient budget, creating a one-of-a-kind specification is certainly not difficult. The Bentayga, entirely handcrafted, requires approximately 130 hours to complete a single vehicle.

Following the W12 engine model announced this time, diesel and hybrid models are also planned for the Bentayga. Amidst the surge of established luxury brands like Aston Martin andRolls-Royce,Lamborghini, and evenMaseratiandJaguar, Bentley's move to release an SUV, leading the charge among these established luxury brands announcing their SUV developments and sales, is capturing global attention. This marks a historic first step in the imminent arrival of a wave of unprecedented luxury SUVs.

Bentley Bentayga
Body Size: Length 5,141 x Width 1,998 x Height 1,742 mm
Wheelbase: 2,992 mm
Weight (EU): 2,422 kg
Engine: 6-liter W12 TSI Twin-Turbo
Max Output: 447 kW (608 ps) / 5,250-6,000 rpm
Max Torque: 900 Nm / 1,250-4,500 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed AT
Drivetrain: 4WD (40:60 front:rear)
Suspension (Front/Rear): Multi-link / Multi-link
Brakes (Front): 400mm Ventilated Discs
Brakes (Rear): 380mm Ventilated Discs
Tires: 275/50R20 (Optional: 285/45R21, 285/40R22)
Minimum Turning Radius: 6.2 meters
Trunk Capacity: 430-590 liters
0-100km/h Acceleration: 4.1 seconds
Top Speed: 301 km/h
Fuel Economy (EU combined): 12.8 ℓ/100km (approx. 7.8 km/ℓ)
CO2 Emissions: 292 g/km