Bentley has today revealed the new Bentayga, which has not only been redesigned both on the outside and inside but also becomes the first car to be launched under the British brand’s “Beyond100” business plan.
The second-generation model’s exterior design has been completely refreshed to create what Bentley’s design team claims is a “more stylish and purposeful car” compared to the original (of which Bentley shifted 20,000 units since its launch in November 2015). Every panel at the front and rear of the new version has been altered to give it a cleaner and more modern look – but with no change to the car’s coefficients of drag or lift.
“We spent a long time examining how to improve the proportions and character of the car. New Bentayga is still instantly recognisable as a Bentley but now has a much greater road presence,” explains John Paul Gregory, Bentley’s head of exterior design. “What we have achieved is a significant step forward. New Bentayga is a more self-confident looking SUV from whatever angle you look at the car. The prouder grill and higher, more focused elliptical headlights give a much more modern expression – a real statement of intent.”
A number of design details draw inspiration from the latest members of the Bentley family, including the third-generation Continental GT and the new Flying Spur limousine.
Key to these is the new matrix grille. Larger and more upright than before, it pushes the new LED matrix headlamps further apart, raising them 30 mm higher. The elliptical headlamps, a first for a Bentley, also illuminate with a contemporary ‘wake-up’ sequence.
In profile view, a new, longer vent is positioned above the power line on the side of the front wing, while the lower door mouldings are also completely new, alongside the V8 badging.
A new 22-inch wheel design is available in two finishes, expanding the number of available wheel designs to five – all of which are unique to Bentley.
Perhaps the most noticeable design changes have been reserved for the rear of the car, where the new Bentayga is very different from its predecessor. In line with the Continental GT, it features elliptical tail lamps for the first time; the lights also offer an animated ‘welcome’ feature with a sweeping direction indicator.
The lights feature within an all-new, full-width tailgate, resulting in a cleaner, more contemporary look than before. The licence plate has moved down into the bumper, allowing for prominent Bentley lettering above. Larger, oval-shaped split sport tailpipes echo the design of the rear lamps, while a new, longer roof spoiler gives new Bentayga a visually longer profile and makes the whole car look more athletic than the previous version.
On the inside, the cabin is has been significantly revised in the latest model. Among the major changes are a new centre fascia and steering wheel, new door trims and all-new seats – now available with ventilation in the rear of the five-seat cabin option. Passengers in the rear also get more space, with legroom increased by up to 100 mm depending on configuration.
A next generation infotainment system is integrated into the ‘wing’ dashboard design and features a 10.9-inch digital display screen with edge-to-edge graphics.
The latest hardware and software bring all-new navigation with satellite maps, online search and other features. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard for the first time, alongside the existing wired system, along with Android Auto. Rear seat occupants benefit from the introduction of a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet, similar to that introduced in the all-new Flying Spur.
The interior can be further enhanced with the application of dark tint diamond brushed aluminium trim for the first time in a Bentley, as well as two straight-grained veneers new to the Bentayga, namely, koa and walnut. Mulliner Driving Specification adds a new quilting design, and micro piping detailing is a new option for the seats.
In terms of performance, the new model will initially be launched in V8 guise, with plug-in Hybrid and W12-powered Speed versions to follow later on this year. The V8’s 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged petrol engine develops 542 bhp and 568 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a top speed of 180 mph and 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
