BENTLEY BENTAYGA

THE sun is blazing hot. Scantily clad people are everywhere, ageing backpackers are wilting in the heat while children play like puppies with tireless energy. What a great day this is and here am I confined, caged, nay incarcerated in a car as I drive along the A82. However, there is some significant consolation – I have in my fingertips the wheel of the new Bentley Bentayga.

The company has for some years considered building a luxury SUV and now here it is, a 2.4-ton four-wheel drive Bentley with a speedo that goes up to 200mph, although this 435ps diesel model does not entirely meet this boast.

But here I am, travelling in a conga of cars along the banks of Loch Lomond at a speed no greater than middling with the view through my double-glazed windows on to the loch captured in the most fleeting of glimpses. For the driver, this loch is much better to be on than driving alongside.

But I am in a Bentley and anyone with the most basic knowledge of cars will support my assured conceit by agreeing that in the pecking order of luxury cars, Bentleys are at the top and owners may fairly see some miles of distance between them and the hopefuls that reside in luxury mainstream. However, I don’t think the Bentayga has palpitating beauty – it is difficult to create eye-catching aspects in an SUV.

It does have the hallmark meshed grille and large circular lights, the squared-off wheelarches point to the Continental GT coupe while the tail lights and number plate surround are pure Mulsanne. This Bentley has clear family characteristics and before the man in the pub chokes on his pint, yes, he is correct to remind us the Volkswagen Automotive Group owns Bentley.

Volkswagen has been a great parent to Bentley in much the same way that BMW has been good for Rolls Royce. It has invested millions at Crewe and helped maintain the craftsmanship the company has for so long prided itself. Areas of the car you don’t see such as the diesel engine, platform and some main components have or will be featured in Porsche or Audi models.

Its whole passenger cabin does not in any dilution feature in other models in Bentley’s extended family. Handstitched leather covers the dashboard and surrounding areas while quilted leather panels appear in doors and its sumptuous seats.

Highly polished veneers breakout from the fascia but somehow this does not make the car feel outdated.

As I travelled on through Arrochar on the A82 once again I was in a village where on a winter’s day a cat might not be seen but today with 26C being shown as the outside temperature people sit around picnic tables, are unloading bikes from cars and carrying surf boards. I had an urgent need to feel some warmth and pulled and pushed the piston-like vent controls to change the blast of cold air that would surely eventually put a layer of frost on my forearms.

On this road, mountains rise to 3000ft, their cragged ruggedness silhouetted against an intense blue sky. Burns tumble through wooded glens and all around I am sure all

The Bentley Bentayga sets off on its tour of Argyll’s hills and glens, en route to the resort of Portavadie. Below – Loch Riddon and the Kyles of Bute.