A Range Rover SVR felt pretty quick to me, but this? This is a whole other story.
Indeed, this has to be the last place you'd expect a Bentley. And yet, it's right what Bentley aimed at with this Bentayga.
It's supposed to be a Bentley which feels at home on any surface. Let's go for a ride in the most prestigious digger of the Netherlands
If there's anything Bentley wanted to accomplish with the Bentayga, it's stretching the borders of luxury SUV's.
And within that luxury SUV-class, there already are some pretty strong opponents.
Take a Range Rover for example, which really doesn't come short at all when it comes to luxury.
This car, however, moves the level up a notch. Just the engine in the front: a newly developed 6-litre W12 with two turbo's
delivering a whopping 608 hp with and an impressing 663 torques! That propells this huge 2400kg beast to 100 km/h in 4,1 seconds.
that really is bonkers!
and another little perk: it's top speed. Exactly 301 km/h, which means the Bentayga is the fastest SUV in the world.
And the weird part is, the moment you get in this Bentayga - excuse me, I pronounced it wrong -
You don't notice it's such a fast car, because you really are surrounded by wealth. That's the first thing you feel in the Bentayga; wealth.
You feel the peace, you hear the peace, the suspension moves calmly with the surface, and even the engine reacts fluently.
It's connected to an 8-speed automatic gearbox which makes it feel like it just an easy going SUV. Until you hit the throttle...
Really, unbelievable. It progresses so incredibly quick. You think you're going along with a decent speed but then you look at your
speedometer and you discover you're driving 160 km/h. Calling it impressive would be an understatement. I mean
a Range Rover SVR felt pretty quick to me, but this? This is a whole other level.
Then, the ride. Bentley says they've put a lot of effort in the dynamic ride. And when you're driving along, you'll have to admit
they've succeeded pretty well. For starters, I've got 4 modes for tarmac driving. Then, a Bentley-mode, a comfy mode,
even a custom-mode, which let's you customize all ride-settings to your own preference.
And if you put the Bentayga in Sports-mode, you'll not only change the nature of the engine and gearbox, but the active stabilizers also
start working even harder to keep the body stable in a corner.
That's quite a special system really, because there's a 48-volt circuit underneath the car which - when the body starts to roll -
gives the stabilizers a power boost so that the coils and dampers become stiffer.
Because of that stiffer suspension, something weird happens. You're driving along in a huge, 2400kg car, so the moment
you steer into the corner, you'd expect it to lean. But that doesn't happen, you really have to get used to that.
However, that doesn't mean the Bentayga is extremely dynamic. For that it's simply way too heavy.
A Porsche Cayenne or a BMW X6M are a tad more agile when it comes to cornering. If you try to race it through the corner
you'll notice it starts slipping away at the front wheels, whilst the other cars - which use rear-wheel steering -
suffer less from such difficulties. So, it's pretty dynamic. Absolutely. But it just isn't a car to race with.
You could say, 'I'm not going to race the Bentayga', you could say the same when it comes to off-roading.
But still, equipping the All Terrain Specification-package which grant you even more buttons to let you drive through
loose sand, or snow or even the mountains, which makes the suspension raise a little and lets the car control the power.
I've been told that the Bentayga finds it's way pretty easily on rough terrain.
Now that we're talking specs, let me present to you; the prices. Like I've said, it costs €331.351,-
Let's dive into the reason why the Bentayga costs more than €330.000,- shall we?
For starters, we have the City Specification-package, which'll set you back €4.750,00. It makes the car brake automatically
for pedestrians and it makes sure you don't hit anything when reversing. Then, the Front Seat Comfort Specification-package,
available in the five-seater Bentayga. With that package you'll get 22 different seat-settings, massage-chairs et cetera.
Then, at a cost of €1797,00, we have special stitching on the dashboard, the seats and the steering wheel.
Holy f*ck. So incredibly expensive.
But it sure does look fancy...
22 inch rims, €3050,00 please. Heated steering wheel, €865,00 please. Bentley Signature Audio for €3370,00. You can also go with
the Naim-audio system. That's even more expensive. What about Rear Privacy Glass for €1790,00? Or deluxe floor mats
for as cheap as €448,00. Oh, I almost forgot the Touring Specification-package which goes for €7145,00.
But that'll get you active cruise control, a HUD and a system which keeps you within the driving lanes.
The option list doesn't end there though... Oh no.
In the rear, the options continue. You can really customize the Bentayga to your own preferences.
First of all, you have enough room for your head and legs, so you can cruise with ease.
What I do pity, however, is that this specific version is the somewhat cheaper version, the five-seater. You can also order the Bentayga
with four independent seats. In the middle you get a pretty nice centre console, so if you're really rich you'll go for the four-seater.
Something else is missing as well, big 10,2" tablets with Android. That way you can really customize your entertainment-system
This version doesn't come with those. It does come with a little command module so you're able to your own music et cetera.
But still, the options keep on coming with this Bentayga.
This is quite a flaw for a €330.000,- costing vehicle. The rear seats don't fold back nicely. The boot also doesn't open...
Open Bentley! Right, I'll use another button then.
Of course, whining about rear seats not completely folding down, isn't really fair,
because a Bentayga shows it's practicality in a different way. First of all, the five-seater still has 448 litres of luggage space.
But even more interesting, is what's on the options list. This car is equipped with the Event Specification-package.
It costs €2904,00 and it'll get you a retractable bench with quilted leather. You can attach it and sit on it when you're at a polo game,
I'm not going to sit down because I don't want to break it. And if it gets dark, the €2904,00 pricetag includes two little reading lights.
Does it finally stop there? Not at all. You can also get a full Bentley-picknick set. With champagne-cooler,
a mini-fridge, glasses and even a cashmere blanket. That way you can picknick in ultimate luxury.
Again, the list continues. This book here contains all options available on the Bentley Bentayga. Incredible. What else is there to choose?
The immense range of customization-options is what makes the Bentley so unique. Just look at the exterior-colors.
At first, there are 17 base colors to choose from, but Bentley has already extended the range with 108 other choices.
If that's still too basic for you and you want to implement your own color, no problem.
If you like the color of your bathroom so much you want it on your Bentayga, Bentley welcomes you with your color.
And that's the difference with other luxury SUV's. It's the same with interior-colors, the different kinds of wood, of leather, it doesn't stop!
And the leather is of top notch quality, the wood is made beautifully. Yep. It's quite different from your average VW Touareg.
Let's see, did I forget something? The Smokers Specification-package; Ashtrays in the front and back and a lighter for your cigar. €539,00!
Sunshine-specification, €1882,00. That means you get blinds for your rear-windows. Look at this one, transport from Crewe to Leusden.
That'll set you back €2223,00. I'll tell you one thing, if I were to purchase this car, I'd rather go pick it up myself.
Well, we've looked at everything. Is the Bentayga worth it's €330.000 price tag? I don't think that's the right question to be honest.
When it comes to these figures, you can't really put your finger on the exact amount of money. It's more important to know if it
distinguishes itself from it's direct competitors. The answer is simply: yes. It offers another atmosphere, more luxury,
another experience than for instance a Range Rover. It even challenges the Porsche Cayenne when it comes to dynamics!
So when it comes down to it, it's in it's own class. It certainly isn't 'just' a souped-up VW Touareg.