Sharing design DNAs might make sense to the accounts department, but the outcome is hardly a sure-fire one. The new Bentley Bentayga SUV is one such example.
We thought its predecessor looked great when we reviewed it almost two years ago and Bentley’s sales figures were proof. Since the car was launched five years ago, Bentley has sold over 20,000 of the handcrafted SUV.
But the response may not be so unanimous with the new Bentley SUV, as it now shares the same design DNA as the Flying Spur and Continental GT. It just looks like a little odd if we may say so, especially when viewed from the rear.
As for its equipment the Bentayga is fitted with new LED matrix headlamps – consisting of 82 LEDs – inspired by cut crystal glassware. It also gets a new grille design which is positioned more upright. Heated, wet-arm windscreen wipers are introduced for the first time in the new Bentley SUV, with 22 jet washersin each arm.
The odd rear end is also 20 mm wider, for a more imposing stance along with a new 22-inch wheel design, specifically for the Bentayga. A new, longer roof spoiler gives new Bentayga a visually longer profile but it’s hardly a distraction from how the rear end looks. It’s as if the Bentayga got rear-ended by a Flying Spur and looked simply unhappy about it.
But once inside, all is forgotten. The new Bentley SUV not only offers more legroom (up to 100 mm more) but also comes with a new steering wheel, new door trims and new seats – now with rear seat ventilation.
The Bentley “wing” dashboard design is home to a Breitling clock and a 3D head-up display. It’s also fitted with a 10.9-inch display offering wireless Apple CarPlay as standard for the first time. There is also Android Auto, depending on which country you live in.
Three versatile seating configurations are available in new Bentayga. Apart from the standard five-seat configuration, customers can specify a four-seat layout with two individual rear seats separated by a centre console. There is also an option for a three-row, seven-seat layout for the Bentley SUV.
The five-seater Bentley SUV benefits from an all-new seat frame, which doubles the travel of the rear-seat recline angle. The five-seat Bentayga benefits from an all-new seat frame, which doubles the travel of the rear-seat recline angle.
Rear seat occupants will be treated to a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet, similar to the one in the all-new Flying Spur. The unit can control a range of functions – rear seat heating and massage, media system, navigation, mood lighting and window blinds.
The new model will be launched initially as a V8 with a plug-in hybrid and W12-powered Speed version to follow later on. The 4.0-litre V8 in the Bentayga makes 550 hp and 770 Nm of torque. 0 to 100 km/h is done in just 4.4 seconds while top speed is rated at 290 km/h.
GALLERY
