Bentley's First-Ever SUV, the Bentayga, Arrives in Japan | Bentley

Bentley Bentayga

Bentley's First-Ever SUV, the Bentayga, Arrives in Japan

On Thursday, June 9th, Bentley Motors Japan held the first unveiling in Japan of the "Bentayga," Bentley's first-ever SUV model, in Tokyo. Priced at 26.95 million yen, orders have already begun in Japan, but the 80 units allocated for Japan within the year have all sold out, demonstrating its popularity.

Text by OHTO Yasuhiro

A Bentley That Can Handle Off-Road

Following the coupe model, theContinental", and the sedan, theFlying Spur", the Japan premiere of the new "Bentayga," which will become a new pillar for Bentley, was held. The Bentayga is Bentley's first SUV model, originating from the concept car "EXP 9F" announced at the Geneva Motor Show in 2012. It had its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2015,world premiereand its official launch was announced.

While this is the brand's first SUV, its design, engineering, and hand-built production are all carried out at Bentley's Crewe headquarters in the UK, emphasizing its pure Bentley heritage, just like its other models. It is finished as a luxurious model aiming for the pinnacle among all SUVs worldwide, while also boasting top-level performance and excellent driving capabilities on both on-road and off-road conditions.

The styling is powerful and sporty, sharing commonality with the Continental and Flying Spur, featuring four round LED headlights and a large matrix grille that symbolize the new generation of Bentley on the front fascia. The presence of an underguard asserts its authentic SUV nature, ready for off-road adventures.

The rear style features a hatchback-like tailgate design with a slope, and an integrated rear spoiler on the panel. As an icon of the Bentayga, the rear combination lamps adopt a design motif of Bentley's initial "B." While the body dimensions are substantial at 5,141mm in length, 1,998mm in width, and 1,742mm in height, the adoption of Bentley's first aluminum monocoque body achieves a weight reduction of 236kg compared to traditional body structures.

Bentley Bentayga

Bentley's First-Ever SUV, the Bentayga, Arrives in Japan (2)

Newly Designed W12 Twin-Turbo Engine

The interior, finished to the world's highest standards, makes luxurious use of wood panels and leather. The meticulous craftsmanship by the meisters at the Crewe factory creates a space that is not only modern and stylish but also evokes British tradition and warmth.

The seat layout is primarily a 5-seater, but a 4-seater specification with separate rear seats is also available. Of course, like other Bentleys, bespoke customization to meet customer needs is accepted. The standard infotainment system has also been newly designed for the Bentayga, featuring an 8-inch touchscreen and the latest navigation system.

The powertrain features a 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbo engine, which has been newly designed and achieves a 30kg weight reduction for the engine alone. In terms of performance, it produces a maximum output of 608ps and a maximum torque of 900Nm, achieving 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 301km/h. This performance rivals that of high-performance sedans and sports cars, and Bentley itself claims it to be the world's fastest SUV.

The new engine also enhances environmental performance, featuring the "Bentley Variable Cylinder System" which deactivates one bank of cylinders under certain conditions, and the latest start-stop technology with not only idling stop but also a coasting mode. The 8-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel-drive system have also been modified to handle the high torque required for off-road driving.

Bentley Bentayga

Bentley's First-Ever SUV, the Bentayga, Arrives in Japan (3)

Sold Out for This Year

To achieve its top-level driving performance, the Bentayga underwent rigorous testing in harsh environments across five continents, as well as over 400 laps on the Nürburgring circuit. It is designed not only to handle all types of terrain but also to refine its sporting capabilities. One of the technologies supporting its performance is "Bentley Dynamic Ride." This is a world-first electric active roll control technology that suppresses lateral forces during cornering, maximizing tire contact.

While conventional systems sometimes sacrificed ride comfort for body control, this new system enables not only cabin stability and excellent handling but also a more comfortable ride.

Advanced safety technologies are also actively incorporated, including Active Cruise Control (ACC), Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Park Assist, and a Head-Up Display. Furthermore, sophisticated systems typically found in luxury cars, such as Electronic Night Vision which recognizes obstacles ahead using infrared technology, are also available, making it the Bentley model with the most advanced safety features.

Regarding the entry into the SUV segment, Tim C. W. McKinlay, Bentley Motors Japan's representative, commented, "Challenging a new category requires great courage. However, we believed there was a need for the most luxurious SUV that no one else had addressed, and decided to launch it." Indeed, the Bentayga has been favorably received globally, and in Japan, the 80 units for the first year of delivery have already sold out, indicating a strong start.