L.A. Auto Show 2015: 2017 Bentley Bentayga
What is it?
Promoted as the “fastest and most luxurious SUV†ever, this crossover attempts to marry off-road ruggedness with traditional Bentley performance and plush. And that name? It’s a reference to a rugged peak in the Canary Islands.
(Mo Satarzadeh / Bentley Motors)
Why it matters
The crossover segment is the hottest and fastest-growing, and this will be the world’s most elegant and most expensive. Is the world ready for, or even interested in, a $300,000 SUV -- that can be ordered with matching leather-clad picnic basket and “event†seat?
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What's new
Bentley built a brand-new twin-turbocharged W-12 engine, at its Crewe, England, factory, and covered with it a body designed in Crewe but built in Bratislava, Slovakia. This is the luxury brand’s first entry into the SUV market, and it’s a massive debut: 600 horsepower and 663 pound-feet of torque, with a bespoke wood-and-leather interior and a panoply of technological wonders. It’ll get from zero to 60 in 4 seconds, and race to a top speed of 187 mph.
The competition
Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, BMW and Audi and others have already smartened up the SUV set with luxury models. Maserati built its Levante, and Lamborghini has threatened to bring forth its high-performance Urus. But for sheer excess, this one takes the cake.
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Bentley Motors Bentayga First Edition
(Mo Satarzadeh / Bentley Motors)
The details
Bentley executives are only building 608 of the “First Edition†Bentgayga models, and even at a starting MSRP of $297,000 they’ve sold them all out. About 75 are going to the U.S., traditionally Bentley’s strongest market. But massive orders have come from Russia too. “First Edition†buyers will also get their choice of three special Breitling watches – so special! Bentley will lower the price to $229,000 for the regular Bentayga, but will only build 5,000 to 6,000 a year, to ensure their exclusivity. The first ones for the U.S. will ship next spring.
Powertrain: Twin-turbocharged W-12
Transmission: 8-speed automatic AWD
Fuel economy: Estimated at 14 mpg city, 29 mpg highway
Horsepower: 600
Torque: 663
