Bentley says diesel can be clean, fun and luxurious

While a few purist fans of the British super luxury car brand Bentley are yet to fully come to terms with the addition of a sports utility vehicle to its portfolio, the company has already announced the details of the first diesel model in its history – the Bentayga Diesel.

Calling it the world’s fastest and most powerful luxury diesel SUV, Bentley has said that at its heart is an all-new, advanced, triple-charged, 4.0-litre, 32-valve, V8 engine. Peak torque of 900Nm is available from very early in the rev range (just 1,000 rpm), which makes acceleration in the new model truly effortless. The Bentayga Diesel is said to hit a top speed of 270 kmph and can accelerate from 0-100 kmph in 4.8 seconds. New clean technology gives the Bentayga Diesel the lowest CO2 emissions of any Bentley, as well as a range of over 1,000 kms.

In the Bentayga Diesel, the next-generation 4.0-litre V8 engine, mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, develops a class-leading 435 PS and 900 Nm of torque. Variable-geometry, sequential twin-scroll turbochargers are powered by the exhaust gases, while a third electric supercharger – powered by Bentley’s innovative 48V system – spools up within 30 microseconds to eliminate turbo lag. The effect is effortless, seamless power delivery across the entire engine-speed range. This enables the Bentayga Diesel to deliver a 0-100 kmph time of 4.8 seconds and a top speed of 270 kmph. An immense amount of torque is available from very low speeds, with peak torque achieved from just 1,000 rpm, for both seamless on-road performance and exemplary off-roading ability. The immediate flow of power complements the traditional, class-leading refinement and performance customers have come to expect. The addition of Selective Catalytic Reduction contributes to lower nitrous oxides. With Bentley’s stop-start system, it also achieves class-leading CO2 emissions of 210 g/km and an impressive range of over 1,000 kms between fuel stops.

The Bentayga Diesel has the same overall design as its W12-powered stablemate, while also benefiting from a number of unique styling additions.

A V8 Diesel badge is embedded on the lower front door edge is complemented by a new Bentley ‘twin-quad’ exhaust tailpipe design. Further distinctive external styling cues include a bold, black matrix grille with chrome surround and central bar, which serves as a signature for the powertrain that lies behind. 20-inch ten-spoke alloy wheels are offered as standard. Hand-selected veneers – including a new Liquid Amber finish introduced with Bentayga Diesel – form pure and elegant surfaces throughout the cabin. Each of the 15 pieces are shaped by Bentley’s artisans.

The Bentayga is available with an exquisite integrated Mulliner Hamper Set, complete with refrigerator, bespoke fine Linley china cutlery, crockery and crystal glass, and storage area for dry goods. For comfort in the great outdoors, sections of the hamper can be removed and used as seats.

A bespoke mechanical Mulliner Tourbillon by Breitling clock can also be specified. The most complex of watch mechanisms, the Mulliner Tourbillon is automatically wound periodically by a dedicated high-precision winding mechanism within the car. This masterpiece is machined in solid gold (customers can select from either rose or white gold), with a choice of either a mother-of-pearl or black ebony face and decorated with eight diamond indexes.

The Bentayga’s ability to perform on any surface and even in the most extreme conditions has already been proven. The Diesel can now be specified with Bentley Dynamic Ride – the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilises a 48V system. Inherent in larger vehicles with a higher centre of gravity, this system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling.

The 48V system in the Bentayga Diesel utilises a new lithium-ion battery to offer even greater reserves of power, resulting in silent, instantaneous responses to deal with all road surfaces. The Bentayga Diesel offers class-leading ride comfort, steering feel and handling thanks to the partnership of a highly sophisticated chassis and Electronic Stability Control (ESC), and it also features multi-mode Traction Control and Hill Descent Control.

As with all Bentleys, the Bentayga Diesel comes with multi-mode air suspension. Customers can also lower the rear suspension via a switch in the boot, to ease loading and trailer hitching.

It offers the widest range of on- and off-road drive settings of any vehicle via Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Mode and optional Responsive Off-Road Settings. Eight modes are available, allowing drivers, at the simple turn of a dial, to select the perfect dynamic set-up for any surface or road condition.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) including Stop & Go, Predictive ACC and Traffic Assist enables the driver to maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front. Predictive ACC uses the navigation data, sensors and cameras to predict upcoming corners, city boundaries and speed-limit changes and can then modify the vehicle speed accordingly, improving both comfort and fuel economy.

Park Assist is available – a system that detects suitable parking spaces (both parallel and perpendicular) before autonomous steering takes over to support parking manoeuvres, even in narrow and tricky spaces. Other innovative systems available include Electronic Night Vision, which uses infra-red technology to identify potential obstacles ahead, and a Head-Up Display, which reduces driver distraction and increases safety.

The Bentayga’s 8-inch touch screen infotainment system boasts class-leading navigation technology, a 60GB hard drive, and a choice of up to 30 languages. Rear seat passengers benefit from the introduction of the Bentley Entertainment Tablet – a removable 10.2-inch Android device with 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth for effortless, high-speed on-board connectivity.

Customers can choose between three different sound systems for the Bentayga Diesel: Bentley Standard Audio, Bentley Signature Audio and Naim for Bentley Premium Audio. Customer deliveries will begin in Europe early next year, with entry into Russia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan planned across the rest of 2017.