VUE

S ome years ago, the then-CEO of Bentley, Wolfgang Dürheimer, mentioned the possibility of the company producing a diesel-powered SUV. Not long after, Dürheimer went to work as Audi's Chief Development Officer and the project of a Bentley- made SUV was all but completely scrapped. Fast-forward to the summer of 2014, Dürheimer would return as Brand Manager of Bentley and reignite his dream of creating the world's fastest and most expensive SUV. So was born the Bentley Bentayga, or "carried interest" in Swahili. While the Bentayga does share the same platform as the Porsche Cayenne, the Volkswagen Touareg, and the highly-anticipated Lamborghini Urus, it's Bentley's new twin-turbo W12 engine and full-time all-wheel drive that truly set it apart from its competition. The massive 6.0L engine will churn out an estimated 600 hp and 664 lb·ft of torque, making the midsize SUV scoot to 60 mph in just four mind-blowing seconds. While the W12 will be the initial powertrain standard, Bentley plans to offer a V8 reminiscent of their Continental GT, a diesel V8 derived from Audi, and a plug-in hybrid utilizing the same V8 as the Continental, but coupled with a multitude of electric motors and Li-Ion battery; ultimately providing roughly 30 miles of all-electric range. While this doesn't remotely compare to Tesla's Model X base range of 200 miles, it clearly marks Bentley's first endeavour into the world of plug-in hybrids. Bentley originally planned a run of only 3,600 Bentaygas, but quickly increased production figures when the $220,000 SUV began selling out before hitting the showroom floor. So a project that was nearly discarded just half a decade ago is now selling out, and companies like Rolls Royce and Lamborghini are following suit by introducing their own SUV models. If sales numbers serve as any indication, Bentley just may be setting the new trend in the world of luxury automobiles with the Bentayga. By Ted Christodulidis VUE ON AUTOMOTIVE V U E N J . C O M 124

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