A break in proceedings during an exclusive preview of the fourth-generation Bentley Continental GT afforded us an opportunity to sample the hybridised but hair-raising Bentayga S. Here are Ian McLaren’s thoughts from Barcelona!
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Bentley Bentayga S Fast Facts
- Price: from R5 960 000
- Engine: 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8, petrol
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Power: 404 kW @ 6 000 r/min
- Torque: 770 N.m @ 2 000 – 4 000 r/min
- 0-100 km/h: 4.5 seconds
- Top speed: 290 km/h
- Fuel consumption: 12.8 L/100 km
- CO2 emissions: 296 g/100 km
Under the custodianship of the Volkswagen Group since 1998, the subsequent arrival of the first Continental GT in 2003 provided both the groundwork and the profits for Bentley to build on its legacy of producing proudly British, powerful yet effortlessly luxurious automobiles. On trend, this included the introduction in 2015 of the Bentayga, the brand’s first SUV.
Like the Porsche Cayenne with which it shares its VWAG MLB platform, this raised-ride height (and best-selling) Bentley has evolved from being a somewhat clumsily-styled amalgamation of various marketing department-driven “requirements” to an altogether more fluid proposition. This includes an extended wheelbase version, a dramatic-looking new Black Edition derivative, and a revised middle-ground Bentayga S.
Introduced in 2021, the S model offers customers a best-of-both-worlds scenario where a comfortable, luxuriously appointed family SUV is nevertheless capable of delivering an astonishing turn of pace should the mood dictate; its exterior styling upgraded accordingly.
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Parked alongside the Azure version in which I was chauffeured to the Parcmotor Castelloli test circuit outside of Barcelona, the updated Bentayga S distinguishes itself via a standard Blackline package that replaces the chrome grille and accents on the flagship model with altogether sportier-looking black finishes. This includes the honeycomb grille, badging, mirrors, sills and roof rails. Massive red brake callipers are visible behind standard 22-inch alloy wheels, while a substantial tailgate-mounted wing and quad oval tailpipes complete the look.
Highly customisable, the interior of the Bentayga S gains suitably sporty touches including well-bolstered front seats with red stitching throughout to match the colour of the seatbelts. It’s difficult to say whether the dated switchgear and controls suit the stately character of Bentley’s ageing best-seller or not. We do suspect the inevitable deletion of buttons and switches in favour of a massive touchscreen (the current unit is 10.9 inches in size) in the next-generation car will meet with a mixed reception from the traditionally more mature Bentley owner base.
As a part of a range that’s no longer available with a barnstorming turbocharged W12 engine, the Bentayga S is fitted with the VWAG’s familiar – and still impressive – twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 petrol unit. Showcased by a standard sports exhaust system, headline figures include 404 kW and 770 N.m of torque guided to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. Bentley claims its 2.4-ton sports SUV will sprint from a standstill to 100 km/h in just 4.5 seconds.
With laps behind the wheel of Bentley’s newest grand tourer scheduled for later in the day, the plan to “get my eye in” using an available Bentayga S and a nearby mountain pass quickly turned into an eye-opening experience.
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The first thing to note is that unlike the modern Porsche Cayenne with which this British cousin shares underpinnings, and despite the abundance of performance, the Bentayga never feels particularly nimble nor engineered to shrink around its occupants once placed into Sports mode. Instead, and thanks to a 15% stiffer damper setup compared with other models in the range, as well as now standard throughout rear-wheel steering, navigating a twisty section of road in the Bentley is an exercise in heavy – yet assured – braking, trusting the prodigious levels of available grip, as well as the tighter turning circle afforded by the active rear-wheel steering angle, and then flooring the throttle pedal as you straighten the steering wheel. Not delicate, but quite marvellous.
Returning to the track I purposefully scrolled between the car’s “Bentley” (auto) and Comfort driving modes that showcase the impressive standard Dynamic Ride adaptive suspension and cathedral-quiet cabin of this modern Bentagya. On reflection, it’s remarkable how far this segment of the market has evolved over the years. A credit to modern engineering brilliance, where once the mandate of a luxury SUV was simply to offer maximum comfort, a degree of versatility and an appropriate level of occasion, owners can now look to genuine levels of engagement and dynamic ability, and even a modicum of off-road prowess, at the flick of a switch.
There are undoubtedly high-end, performance-focused SUV rivals that offer greater precision, better body control and sharper handling than the biggest Bentley, but few can match the Bentayga’s ability to transition back to opulence with such effortless grace.
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