2017 Bentley Bentayga
WHAT IT IS:
Promoted as the “fastest and most luxurious SUV” ever, this crossover attempts to marry off-road ruggedness with traditional Bentley performance and plush. The name references a rugged peak in the Canary Islands.
WHY IT MATTERS:
This will be the most elegant and most expensive in the fast-growing crossover segment. 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?
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 and 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 poundfeet 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 have luxury SUV 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.
THE DETAILS:
Bentley executives are building only 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. “First Edition” buyers will also get a special Breitling watch. Bentley will lower the price to $229,000 for the regular Bentayga, but will build only 5,000 to 6,000 a year. Powertrain: Twin-turbocharged W-12 Transmission: 8-speed automatic AWD Fuel economy: Estimated at 14 mpg city, 29 mpg highway Horsepower: 600 Torque: 663