Road test | Bentley Bentayga Speed: transcending the SUV

That was six and a half years ago. Bentley unveiled its first-ever SUV at the Frankfurt Auto Show, giving birth to a new breed of high-pitched vehicles covered in an extra glamor of luxury. The Bentayga immediately became a controversial figure, with many fearing the beginning of the erosion of an English institution. We got behind the wheel of this recently reworked SUV to better understand this concept that overflows from normality by its opulence, without however disorienting.

Charles Rene
The Press

Design

The Bentayga is based on a modular platform shared among others with the Audi Q7 and Lamborghini Urus. This inevitably induces limits on the artistic impulse of its creators with these famous hard points, unmovable technical beacons, which give a somewhat curious look at a forward three-quarter angle with a somewhat short muzzle. The circular front headlights ensure to infuse the Bentley identity into the SUV, complemented by a large braided rectangular grille. The lateral plan shows a certain attention to the relief, especially at the level of the rear fenders which amplify the build by means of an ascending line which integrates with the doors. The rear section emphasizes the oval shapes of the lights, an ornament directly inspired by the Continental GT, complemented by the equally oval exhaust pipes of the Speed ​​livery tested. Is it as memorable as the brand’s cars? Probably not, due to the complexity of draping an SUV in an evocative design. But the DNA is noticeable.

On board

It is very far, the time when the SUV was fundamentally a tool to take roads that are not very passable. The Bentayga recalls this in its very sophisticated and sedate treatment of luxury. Again, there are more notable component shares with Audi than in the large Flying Spur sedan. However, the richness and finesse of the aromatic leathers blending beautifully with the machined aluminum make us forget these futile details. The possible arrangements, which can include sumptuous woodwork of various species, are innumerable. At the reception, our eye is drawn to the magnificent winged central piece serving both as an open case for the clock and as a ventilation nozzle. The volume of the cabin is undeniable, allowing four large adults to sit, which is possible thanks to the wheelbase which borders on 3 m in length. The rear trunk is hardly impressive, however, with its 484 L capacity, or 85 L less than a… Mazda3 Sport.

Under the hood

Soberly inscribed on the bottom of the front doors in fine, italic font, the term “Speed” (speed) exposes the privileged rank enjoyed by the example tested. To ensure the will of velocity, a heart that is both exotic and familiar beats in a 12-digit firing order. It’s a W12, whose compact appearance is ensured by the marriage of two V6s with an angle of barely 15 degrees and each equipped with a single cylinder head. Two turbochargers increase air intake to push peak power to 626 hp and torque to 664 lb-ft. Certainly, the composition is technically very complex, but we never detect the arduous aspect of its development behind the wheel. This engine is of a fascinating smoothness, being able to draw without warning while sifting this power admirably well, when necessary. It probably dulls the sensory aspect of it, but there’s an expertise in there that inspires admiration.

Behind the wheel

The driving position is obviously high, a corollary to the exceptional status of the vehicle. But that thankfully doesn’t guide the driving experience. This Bentayga teaches all those unnecessarily firm performance SUVs a lesson in cultivating some generic semblance of sportiness. There is English phlegm in levity when it is directed. From the steering to the shifter to the actuation of the pedals, there is a desire for isolation from outside hassles. This is largely due to the air suspension with adjustable anti-roll bars to counter the effects of the 2.5 tons placed high. You will therefore have understood: the pleasure is not cultivated here by becoming one with the machine, but rather in the way in which it delights in satisfying the desires of opulence of the driver. Everything goes admirably well with the ZF automatic transmission (8 gears) and the W12, whose assurance is matched only by the strong thrust provided, reflected in a noticeable rearing of the SUV.

Embedded technologies

Anyone who has spent time in a late-model Audi will feel very comfortable with the various manipulations required to navigate the Bentayga’s infotainment system. Having recently undergone a total technological overhaul, it makes sure to make everything intelligible with a simple and Bentley-appropriate layout in its presentation. We really like the presence of tangible keys, which could however have been metallic to cultivate the image of the goldsmith of the brand and further justify the invoice of the object. The digital instrumentation completes the whole thing with impeccable readability, a qualifier that can also be affixed to the sound of the Naim 1780 W system. The $10,855 option immerses us in precise and pure tones, while ensuring the immense power, essential to the immersive character.

The verdict

The fact of creating an SUV inevitably induces concessions, of which the amateurs of the register have only to make. The weight, the high center of gravity and the arrangement of the various components make the exercise more complex for anyone trying to produce a work that goes beyond the ordinary. We have to admit that this Bentayga succeeds in imbuing us with the splendor expected in a higher-pitched formula. Certainly, we cannot say that there is entirely the extraordinary aura of the Flying Spur and Continental GT in this achievement, but Bentley manages to channel its identity in a different and necessary format to ensure its profitability. There is obviously the excessive aspect of the thing that cannot be silenced; it is difficult to justify in the current context the purchase of a twelve-cylinder lugging around such an imposing mass. For that, we will have to wait for Bentley to make its electric transition, scheduled to be completed by the end of the decade.