When Bentley announced it was launching its first-ever SUV
people wondered whether the brand, known for producing some of the most
luxurious coupes and sedans in the world, could find the appropriate balance of
luxury and performance for SUV buyers?
After driving the all-new 2017 Bentley
Bentayga through Los Angeles we’re confident the answer is “yes!”
As you might expect, piloting the new Bentayga in West L.A.
generated quite a bit of attention from pedestrians and drivers, a bit
surprising given how many ultra-luxury vehicles litter the roadways in this
area. Maybe it was the attractive Azure Purple paint, the Bentley badge, or
perhaps the unique, unmistakably “that’s a Bentley” body lines. Probably all
three, but one thing was clear: People immediately knew it was exclusive and
very special.
The Bentayga has four Drive Dyanmics settings to choose
from. The default setting is Bentley mode, which provides a refined and
comfortable driving experience. The comfort mode lets the SUV glide even more
effortlessly over potholes and uneven pavement. Sport mode, which was the one
we used most of the time during our drive, provides a throatier exhaust note
and sharper handling through winding roads without any serious hit to ride
quality. Finally, the custom mode allows the driver to personalize suspension
and engine settings to his or her preference.
Regardless of driver mode performance is never a problem, as
there is more than sufficient power coming from the Bentayga’s all-new
6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 engine. With 600 horsepower and 664 pound-feet
of torque available the 5,300-plus pound Bentayga gets to 60 mph (100 kmh) in 4 seconds
flat, making it one of the quickest SUVs on the planet. The Bentayga also
features a 187 mph (300 kph) top speed, rivaling many ultra-luxury sports cars from Aston
Martin, Ferrari and Maserati.
The interior of the Bentayga mirrors what Bentley says must
define its vehicles: Ultimate craftsmanship, balance and purity of form
featuring best-in-class materials. You get a powerful sense of quality and
overall finish once inside the vehicle. Its plush, beautifully stitched leather
seating was equally comfortable in the front and rear seats. The Bentayga we
tested came equipped with all the bells and whistles, including heated, cooled
and reclining seats that also massage rear passengers.
The Bentayga also comes fully-equipped with the latest in
technology, something you should probably expect from an SUV starting at
$229,000 (Euro 201.600). Its advanced safety systems include a lane departure prevention
system that, at times, felt a little invasive but is probably prudent in a
world of increasingly distracted drivers. The front infotainment unit is
compatible with Apple AAPL +2.14%’s Car Play but not Android Auto; curious
given the two removable 10.2″ tablets in the rear, which can be used for
browsing the internet, watching movies or doing work, are Android-based.
According to Experian Information Solutions, Bentley sold
just under 2,700 vehicles in the U.S. last year. That’s up slightly from the
prior year. It may sound small compared with mainstream luxury brands like BMW,
Mercedes-Benz or even Tesla. But when you own a Bentley, it’s all about
exclusivity. That’s why Bentley spends 130 hours hand crafting each Bentayga in
Crewe, UK, something mainstream luxury brands can’t afford to do in their race
to win the sales crown. And with every premium manufacturer focusing ever-more
resources on SUVs the all-new 2017 Bentley Bentayga offers perhaps the most
elusive feature around: individuality.
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