Bentley's New Bentayga Is Our One Wish This Christmas

There are over 20,000 Bentley Bentaygas in the world today, all of them handcrafted. Since the model was introduced in 2015, it’s often cited as the first true luxury SUV, creating a new class of automobiles for a discerning market, similar to what the Continental GT did. Other carmakers may have since introduced their own models, but currently, Bentayga continues to be one of the world’s bestselling luxury SUVs. 

Photo by Bentley APAC.

The British marque introduced a new version of the Bentayga earlier this year. Despite a global health crisis, the motoring company based in Crewe, England unveiled its first automobile launched under the company’s “Beyond100 business” plan.

What sets the Bentayga apart from other vehicles in its class is how it deftly combines multiple functions—it’s a performance grand tourer, luxury limousine, spacious family car and off-roader—in one gorgeous exterior. 

During a virtual launch held last month, representatives from the brand’s Asia Pacific office introduced guests to the features of the new Bentayga. There’s a strking resemblance to the other models in Bentley’s lineup—the third-generation Continental GT and all-new Flying Spur. There’s an assertive matrix grille and intelligent LED headlamps inspired by cut crystal glassware. A nifty feature: heated, wet-arm windscreen wipers introduced for the first time, with 22 washer jets in each arm.

Photo by Bentley APAC.

The new Bentayga sports a new look at the rear, which has been total redesigned and now includes a new full-width tailgate with new encapsulated lamps. There has been a 20-mm increase to the rear track width. Even the wheels are newly designed and are exclusive to the Bentayga. 

Inside the cabin, improvements include a new centre fascia and steering wheel, new door trims and all-new seats. Legroom has also been increased by as much as 100 mm, depending on the configuration.

The next generation infotainment system features a 10.9-inch display screen with edge-to-edge graphics and has a built-in satellite maps, online search and other features. Also available are wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto (market dependent). Those sitting in the rear will be glad to know that there are larger touchscreen remote control tablets, similar to that introduced in the all-new Flying Spur. Finally, connectivity isn’t a problem with USB-C data ports and a wireless phone charger now standard. The new Bentayga also comes with an embedded SIM, similar to the Continental GT models.

Photo by Bentley APAC.

Under the hood, the Bentayga initially comes with a V8 guise offering supercar performance balanced with everyday usability, with the plug-in Hybrid and W12-powered Speed versions introduced last November. The V8’s 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged petrol engine develops an impressive 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft (770 Nm) of torque.

“With the new Bentayga, our objective was relatively straightforward—to take the best and make it even better,” Chris Cole, Product Line Director for Bentayga, says. “To do this, we listened closely to our existing Bentayga customers, then addressed their comments to ensure the new model offers an even more complete, all-round proposition.

Photo by Bentley APAC.

“New Bentayga reflects the truly sophisticated qualities and design make-up of other members of the Bentley family, such as the new Continental GT and all-new Flying Spur,” he adds. “It was already the pinnacle of the luxury SUV sector but now we have taken it even higher.”