We've been talking about it so long it's almost an anti-climax, but here, finally, are the official and full details of Bentley's first ever SUV, the mighty Bentayga.
Exterior
We're a little surprised to see the production ready Bentayga looking so much like a mishmash of other Bentley models, with Flying Spur inspired rear lights (though now with a new B-shaped graphic when lit) with a front end and rear aches from the Continental GT. It's certainly imposing, but we're hoping it's a little more attractive in the metal than these images suggest it will be. For what it's worth, that rear haunch is part of the largest single-piece aluminium pressing in the automotive world. A two-piece panoramic glass roof is standard, while alloy wheels range in size from 20- to 22-inch diameters.
Interior
Bentley unashamedly claims that the Bentayga features the 'finest automotive interior in the world' and it does look exceptionally finished. It's swathed in metal, wood and leather of course and the front seats are 22-way electrically adjustable with a six-programme massage system, seat heating and ventilation. Both four- and five-seat configurations are available. The former features rear seats that also come with massage and ventilation functions, footrests and 18-way electrical adjustment. In the boot (accessible by an automatic tailgate of course) is an optional folding 'event seat'.
Mechanicals
It has been confirmed that Bentley will offer the Bentayga with diesel and hybrid propulsion in the future, but we only have specifications for the petrol-fuelled W12 model. It's a 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged engine producing 608hp at 6,000rpm and a colossal 900Nm of torque between 1,250- and 4,500rpm. That explains the incredible performance figures, including 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 301km/h. Not that anyone cares, but the Bentayga W12 emits 292g/km and features stop-start, Variable Displacement technology (cylinder cut-off) and a combination of direct and indirect fuel injection.
More radical still is the Bentayga's new Bentley Dynamic Ride, claimed to be the world's first electric active roll control technology. This does away with conventional anti-roll bars to balance ride comfort and body control and it uses a 48-volt circuit. There's also a variable ratio electric power steering system.
Anything else?
We'll be at the Frankfurt Motor Show next week to see the new Bentayga for ourselves, where it will be announced that buyers effectively have no limits to the amount of personalisation they can put into their SUV. A few choice quotes from the press pack:
'The standard palette alone comprises 17 exterior paint colours, with up to 90 hues available in the extended range. There are also 15 luxurious carpet options, seven different handcrafted veneers and 15 choices of interior trim hide.'
'A bespoke mechanical Mulliner Tourbillon by Breitling clock can also be specified. The most complex of watch mechanisms, the Mulliner Tourbillon is automatically wound periodically by a dedicated high-precision winding mechanism within the car. This masterpiece is machined in solid gold (customers can select from either rose or white gold), with a choice of either a mother-of-pearl or black ebony face and decorated with eight diamond indexes.'