Bentley Bentayga

Specifications

‘The fastest, most powerful, most luxurious SUV in the world’, according to Bentley. A bold claim, but one that’s tough to dispute. Under the Bentayga’s bonnet sits a new version of Bentley’s 6.0-litre W12, with twin-scroll turbos plus high- and low-pressure direct fuel injection. An official CO2 of 296g/km and 21.6mpg average economy likely won’t be of much concern to potential Bentayga owners. A stated 600bhp and 663lb ft of torque certainly will. Such power will haul the 2.4 tonne Bentayga from 0 to 60mph in four seconds flat, and on to a vmax of 187mph.

It has precisely as much speed, composure, refinement and grip as you’d expect from a very expensive SUV. It is devastatingly fast: maximum torque is available from just 1,350rpm.

Combined with the high vantage point, such point-and-squirt pace makes it a mighty overtaking weapon on all roads. Unless they’re narrow. Things get yet more impressive when you push the Bentayga hard through a series of fast corners. With the air suspension dialed into ‘Sport’ mode, the Bentley does an extraordinary job of resisting body-roll, staying flat and doing a very good impression of a much lighter car. Thank a new 48-volt active anti-roll system for that. It can also manage a surprising amount off-road, but that appears to be by-the-by in reality.