Priced at a smidge over £130,000, the brand says its new V8 petrol model combines power, luxury, usability and sportiness.
The 542 bhp 4.0-litre engine is offered alongside the monstrous 600 bhp W12 petrol and V8 diesel. Featuring twin-scroll turbochargers, the V8 allows it to reach speeds of 180 mph and smash 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. It also develops 770 Nm of torque. But Bentley says the new V8 model reveals a different side to the SUV’s, adding: ‘The addition of a characteristic V8 burble, stylish twin-quad exhaust pipes and optional carbon-ceramic brakes, reveals more of the luxury SUV’s sporting character.’
But it’s not just what is under the bonnet that excites Bentley.
Customers can specify hand cross-stitching, which highlights the interior styling lines of the seats and door panels, and there is the choice of a four-, five-, or seven-seat configuration for ‘ultimate versatility’. And for the first time in a Bentley, a high-gloss carbon-fibre finish is offered to customers seeking a contemporary, technical feel.
There’s plenty of high-tech kit on-board, including night vision, which uses infrared technology to identify potential obstacles ahead, and a head-up display, which reduces driver distraction and increases safety.
The Bentayga’s eight-inch touch screen infotainment system includes navigation technology, a 60 GB hard drive, and a choice of up to 30 languages. Rear seat passengers benefit from the introduction of the Bentley Entertainment Tablet – a removable 10.2-inch Android device with 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth for effortless, high-speed on-board connectivity.
The Bentayga V8 will be shipped to customers from the end of March. It won’t be the smallest-capacity variant for long, however; a hybrid version with a 410 bhp 3.0-litre petrol V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain is due later this year.
