The Bentley Bentayga V-8
The Bentley Bentayga is now available in its most sporting guise to date: the Bentayga V-8.
At the heart of the latest Bentayga model is a new-generation 4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 petrol engine, which combines immense power with impressive fuel efficiency. The addition of a characteristic V-8 burble, stylish twin-quad exhaust pipes and optional carbon-ceramic brakes, reveals more of the luxury SUV’s sporting character, according to Bentley.
Inside, customers will recognize Bentley’s unique approach to modern luxury tailoring, with the familiar blend of exquisite handcrafted materials and advanced technologies. New styling features include a wood and hide steering wheel and the introduction of a high-gloss carbon-fibre interior panel finish.
Immense Performance, Impressive Efficiency
At the heart of the new Bentayga V-8 is its 4-liter, 32-valve, V-8 engine featuring dual twin-scroll turbochargers located inside the ‘V’ of the engine.
The unit develops 542 bhp and 568 lb-ft of torque, resulting in a top speed of 180 mph and zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.
The class-leading performance of the Bentayga V-8 is complemented by a range of 464 miles, with CO2 emissions of 260 g/km. The SUV’s efficiency at 24.8 mpg comes, in part, through the ability of the engine to de-activate four of its eight cylinders in suitable conditions without compromising the drive, according to Bentley. The seamless change happens in just 20 milliseconds, making it imperceptible to customers.
The addition of Stop-Start technology, which can activate at ‘near-to-stop’ speeds, also contributes to the emissions figure.
Exterior Design
The shape of the Bentayga is defined by “unique muscular, sculptural lines, balancing athleticism with an unmistakable presence on the road,” according to Bentley. From the four round LED headlamps to the large matrix grille, the Bentayga V-8 exudes the Bentley design DNA, while the overt powerline, large rear haunches and raised ride height reflect the rugged off-road ability of the luxury SUV.
For the first time, optional carbon-ceramic brakes are offered on the Bentayga. The braking system is the largest and most powerful ever fitted to a Bentley. The brake discs measure 440 mm in diameter at the front and 370 mm at the rear, and sit inside enormous Bentley-branded calipers, with 10 pistons at the front. Together these provide a maximum braking torque of 6,000 Nm.
Also introduced on the Bentayga V-8 are sporting red brake calipers for the front and rear standard iron brakes. The calipers are painted in special, high-temperature resistant Tornado red paint, and signal strongly the dynamic intent of this performance-oriented Bentayga V-8.
In front of these sit a choice of 11 wheel designs, including an all-new 22-inch five-spoke wheel with black painted and polished finish.
A purposeful black and chrome grille at the front is complemented by Bentley ‘twin-quad’ exhaust tailpipes at rear, both of which provide a further subtle reminder of the new engine specification.
Luxury Interior
Bentayga V-8 customers can specify hand cross-stitching, which highlights the interior styling lines of the seats and door panels, and there is the choice of the Bentayga’s four-, five-, or seven-seat configuration.
Three innovative new interior options are offered in the Bentayga V-8: High-gloss carbon-fiber finish replacing traditional veneer surfaces; a wood and hide steering wheel; and a new rich red leather, Cricket Ball.
For the first time in a Bentley, a high-gloss carbon-fibre finish is offered to customers seeking a contemporary, technical feel. Bentley has traditionally offered a matte carbon-fiber surface to replace the veneer on panels including the fascia, centre console and door waistrails, but this is the first time the finish has been offered with a high gloss, which enhances the technical weave, according to Bentley.
Another first,-the wood and hide trimmed steering wheel-can be specified in the Bentayga V-8. Uniquely, the new three-spoke, wood and hide trimmed wheel (available in seven different veneer finishes) uses a solid wood base and thus maintains the integrity and authenticity of interior features offered by Bentley.
Cricket Ball leather also makes its debut in the Bentayga V-8. The new color is inspired by the traditional and instantly appealing deep chestnut hue of a new cricket ball, and fits perfectly into the inspiring range of 15 interior colors and five color splits offered by Bentley.
Dynamic Ride
The Bentayga V-8 is available with Bentley Dynamic Ride, an electric active roll control technology that utilizes a 48V system. This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling.
Bentley’s adaptive and reactive system provides variable torsional resistance, allowing the Bentayga to be both dynamically capable and comfortable for all occupants at all times. The pioneering use of a 48V system results in silent, instantaneous responses to deal with all road surfaces, according to Bentley.
The Bentayga V-8 offers ride comfort, steering feel and handling thanks to the partnership of a highly sophisticated chassis and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). In addition to advanced, multi-mode Traction Control (TCS), the Bentayga also features Hill Descent Control.
Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) is also featured on the Bentayga. The new system improves feedback to the driver, while providing isolation from steering kick-back both on- and off-road. EPAS also features a variable rack ratio, permitting light and fast steering while manoeuvring at low speeds, as well as a more subdued response for excellent stability at high speeds.
The Bentayga offers the widest range of on- and off-road drive settings of any vehicle via Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Mode and optional All-Terrain Specification. Up to eight modes (four on- and four off-road) are available, allowing drivers to select the perfect dynamic set-up for any surface or road condition.
All-Terrain Specification allows the customer to select the appropriate vehicle settings for a wide range of off-road surfaces, including snow & grass, dirt & gravel, mud & trail and sand dunes. Meanwhile, the Driver Information Panel displays information on pitch, roll, wheel articulation, steering angle, compass bearing and altitude.
The Bentayga V-8 comes with multi-mode air suspension. The driver has four different modes to choose from: High 2, High 1, Normal and Low. High 2, for example, can be manually selected when tackling more severe off-road surfaces. Customers can also lower the rear suspension via a switch in the boot, to ease loading and trailer hitching.
Hill Descent Control automatically regulates the vehicle’s speed on steep declines, allowing the driver to concentrate fully on steering and obstacles ahead. It can be pre-set at speeds between two and 30 km/h and works on gradients greater than 5 percent.
Advanced Technologies
A suite of state-of-the-art driver assistance systems and infotainment features designed to enhance safety, comfort and convenience make the Bentayga V-8.
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) including Stop & Go, Predictive ACC and Traffic Assist enables the driver to maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front. Predictive ACC uses the navigation data, sensors and cameras to predict upcoming corners, city boundaries and speed-limit changes and can then modify the vehicle speed accordingly, improving both comfort and fuel economy.
In urban environments, there are a number of driver aids available on the Bentayga V-8. These systems-such as Traffic Sign Recognition, which detects a wide variety of traffic signs and displays information to the driver; Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, which uses radar technology to detect crossing traffic when reversing out of a parking space; and Top View, a system which uses four cameras to display an overall picture of the vehicle’s surroundings – combine to enhance everyday usability.
Park Assist is also available. The system detects suitable parking spaces (both parallel and perpendicular) before autonomous steering takes over to support parking maneuvers.
Other innovative systems available include Night Vision, which uses infra-red technology to identify potential obstacles ahead, and a Head-Up Display, which reduces driver distraction and increases safety.
The Bentayga’s 8-inch touch screen infotainment system features navigation technology, a 60GB 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.
Customers can choose between three different sound systems for the Bentayga V-8: Bentley Standard Audio, Bentley Signature Audio and Naim for Bentley Premium Audio. The latter is the most powerful system in the segment, with 1,950 watts, a network of 18 speakers and super-tweeters for unrivaled recreation of the highest audio frequencies.
