I am absolutely restless and lost. I can't seem to find an educational, entertaining or evocative angle to write about the Bentayga - the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) from Bentley that, realistically, only royal families or those handful of people who happen to be richer than royal families can afford to own.
As of 17 Aug 2016, the Bentayga is retailing for $900,000 (without COE and options). To date, two units are plying our roads, of which one is the First Edition, the model that comes with the full blown bells and whistles and the other is the W12 that you see here. Bentley will be delivering its second First Edition model to a happy buyer at the end of this month. Strangely, no members of the royal family have placed an order on this car yet.
With that price, it better look the part...
Started out as a concept car known as the Bentley EXP 9 F, which was first shown to the world at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the Bentayga wasn't the most pleasant-looking of the lot.
Thankfully, however, Bentley engineers straightened the SUV's looks out for the production line, with a frontal fascia that will not look out of place in the English marque's lineup of luxurious sports cars and sedans.
Despite sharing its MLB architecture with the handsome Audi Q7, Bentley has created a car that looks very much in accordance to its own bloodline. While it's neither the most graceful nor the sportiest of the lot to our eyes, the Bentayga is every bit bigger than the already biggish Q7.
As of 17 Aug 2016, the Bentayga is retailing for $900,000 (without COE and options). To date, two units are plying our roads, of which one is the First Edition, the model that comes with the full blown bells and whistles and the other is the W12 that you see here. Bentley will be delivering its second First Edition model to a happy buyer at the end of this month. Strangely, no members of the royal family have placed an order on this car yet.
With that price, it better look the part...
Started out as a concept car known as the Bentley EXP 9 F, which was first shown to the world at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the Bentayga wasn't the most pleasant-looking of the lot.
Thankfully, however, Bentley engineers straightened the SUV's looks out for the production line, with a frontal fascia that will not look out of place in the English marque's lineup of luxurious sports cars and sedans.
Despite sharing its MLB architecture with the handsome Audi Q7, Bentley has created a car that looks very much in accordance to its own bloodline. While it's neither the most graceful nor the sportiest of the lot to our eyes, the Bentayga is every bit bigger than the already biggish Q7.
Standing firmly at 5,140mm x 1,998mm x 1,742mm (L x W x H), the Bentayga is indeed every inch a luxury car, with ample presence that will send shivers down the spine of slower-moving drivers on the highway as the Bentayga charges towards them from behind.
It's a masterpiece on the inside as it is on the outside
The cabin is, without a doubt, a work of art. Integrating its focus on exquisite detailing with high-end materials, this is where you'd want to be after a long day's of hard work with a glass of well-aged whisky and a cigar.
Of course, you could be thinking it's too luxurious a place for such activities but one can never imagine just how attractive the lounge of a discerning gentleman's club can actually be.
To put things into perspective, climbing inside the Bentayga is a savouring experience. You don't get overwhelmed with the gamut of kit. Instead, there is a sense of vintage charm without compromising on modern conveniences as well as top notch plush and comfort for passengers all round.
Such an attention to detail, believe it or not, never lets you forget that you're piloting something extraordinary.
It's a masterpiece on the inside as it is on the outside
The cabin is, without a doubt, a work of art. Integrating its focus on exquisite detailing with high-end materials, this is where you'd want to be after a long day's of hard work with a glass of well-aged whisky and a cigar.
Of course, you could be thinking it's too luxurious a place for such activities but one can never imagine just how attractive the lounge of a discerning gentleman's club can actually be.
To put things into perspective, climbing inside the Bentayga is a savouring experience. You don't get overwhelmed with the gamut of kit. Instead, there is a sense of vintage charm without compromising on modern conveniences as well as top notch plush and comfort for passengers all round.
Such an attention to detail, believe it or not, never lets you forget that you're piloting something extraordinary.
Show me the money, honey bunny
Apart from the expensive materials, we highly suspect bulk of the money you're spending goes to the extraordinary engine, and for good reasons. The 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder powerplant is favourably refined and exceptionally fast, depending on how you decide to drive it.
More relevantly, the massive SUV doesn't feel out of place on the highways or around town. The car somehow shrinks around you as you pilot it, without having the need to constantly check the wing mirrors to ensure you're in your lane.
In that sense, the Bentayga is genuinely enjoyable to drive. When you're cruising on the highway, you're well-cocooned inside with external noises kept well at bay. Flick it to Sport mode and drive it in a more spirited manner, and you'd be mistaken for driving a car that's half its size.
Given that the car is more of a luxury SUV rather than a sporting one, what you get is a steering that's slightly lacking in immediacy and sharpness. There is also no defying the law of physics around sharper corners at higher speeds.
Apart from the expensive materials, we highly suspect bulk of the money you're spending goes to the extraordinary engine, and for good reasons. The 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder powerplant is favourably refined and exceptionally fast, depending on how you decide to drive it.
More relevantly, the massive SUV doesn't feel out of place on the highways or around town. The car somehow shrinks around you as you pilot it, without having the need to constantly check the wing mirrors to ensure you're in your lane.
In that sense, the Bentayga is genuinely enjoyable to drive. When you're cruising on the highway, you're well-cocooned inside with external noises kept well at bay. Flick it to Sport mode and drive it in a more spirited manner, and you'd be mistaken for driving a car that's half its size.
Given that the car is more of a luxury SUV rather than a sporting one, what you get is a steering that's slightly lacking in immediacy and sharpness. There is also no defying the law of physics around sharper corners at higher speeds.
That said, the Bentayga doesn't disappoint in terms of its effortless power delivery. Step on the right pedal and the heavy 600bhp and mountain-moving 900Nm of torque come in like a tsunami that makes all of the cars around you seem like child's play. Like the endless lungs of the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 Range Rover Vogue, the Bentayga persistently goes as you constantly press on, with plenty of power left in its reserve.
Is it worth every penny?
Yes, it is. From the sheet metal and the interior to the way it drives and how much of a classy person it makes you look, the Bentley Bentayga is an altogether different class from its peers.
While it may have been a laughing stock or an absurdity of sorts just a decade back, it makes perfect sense to have an SUV in Bentley's lineup, even if that means the car costs a staggering amount.
Is it worth every penny?
Yes, it is. From the sheet metal and the interior to the way it drives and how much of a classy person it makes you look, the Bentley Bentayga is an altogether different class from its peers.
While it may have been a laughing stock or an absurdity of sorts just a decade back, it makes perfect sense to have an SUV in Bentley's lineup, even if that means the car costs a staggering amount.
