Tag Archives: Bentley

NEW CARS

Bentley’s Wild Bentayga X Concept Is Proof That Even Ultra-Luxury Wants to Get Dirty

Bentley has spent more than a century perfecting the art of wafting, not wading. Yet here we are: the Bentayga X Concept, a jacked-up, light-bar-wearing, off-road-ready monster that looks like it just escaped from a Dakar bivouac after stealing a private jet on the way out. And somehow, it makes perfect sense.

Officially, Bentley calls the X Concept a “stimulator”—a rolling focus group meant to gauge customer interest in a more hardcore Bentayga. Unofficially, it’s Bentley kicking down the door of the luxury-off-road trend and shouting, “We’re here too.”

Underneath the mud-splattered attitude is the familiar Bentayga Speed, meaning the twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 still sends 641 horsepower to all four wheels. That’s more than enough muscle to shove this 2.5-ton SUV through sand, snow, or whatever expensive terrain Bentley owners feel like conquering next.

But this isn’t just a Bentayga with knobby tires. The X Concept rides 55 mm higher and is 40 mm wider, with a track stretched by a massive 120 mm. Ground clearance climbs to nearly 310 mm, and Bentley says it can wade through 550 mm of water—roughly bathtub depth for a vehicle that still has quilted leather seats inside.

The suspension hardware is serious too. The Bentayga’s air suspension and active anti-roll bars remain, meaning it should still cruise with Bentley smoothness on the highway while offering genuine articulation off the pavement. The 22-inch Brixton wheels are wrapped in tall all-terrain rubber, finally giving a Bentayga tires that look like they belong on a trail instead of a red carpet.

Then there’s the vibe. The X Concept wears a roof rack holding four spotlights and—because this is Bentley—an electric go-kart. It’s ridiculous, unnecessary, and completely on-brand. If you’re going to overland in a Bentley, you might as well bring toys.

Bentley plans to show off the X Concept at the FAT Ice Race in Salzburg, where it will be driven by Chris Harris, former Autocar journalist and now one of the world’s most famous automotive broadcasters. Even better, it will be towing Norwegian Olympic skier Hedvig Wessel, because nothing says “brand image” like pulling a world-class athlete across an icy track with a 641-horsepower luxury SUV.

This Bentley isn’t an outlier—it’s part of a growing movement. The first-generation Porsche Cayenne has become a cult hero among off-road modifiers, and manufacturers themselves are joining in. Porsche built the 911 Dakar, Lamborghini unleashed the Huracán Sterrato, and Morgan turned its Plus Four into a rally-ready CX-T. High-end performance cars are no longer afraid of dirt, gravel, or snow.

Bentley’s X Concept fits squarely into that trend, but with its own ultra-luxury twist. Instead of stripping things out for ruggedness, Bentley adds capability without removing the indulgence. It’s not about survival—it’s about conquering the wilderness while still arriving in heated, diamond-stitched comfort.

Whether or not Bentley green-lights a production version, the message is clear: the era of soft-road luxury SUVs is over. The new goal is real off-road credibility, even at six-figure price tags.

And if Bentley does build it? The Bentayga X might become the ultimate status symbol—not for the valet line, but for the trailhead.

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

Bentley Batur Convertible #4

Bentley’s Mulliner division has never been shy about excess, but Batur Convertible #4 takes bespoke indulgence to a level that even Crewe’s most seasoned craftspeople must pause to admire. This is not merely another ultra-limited Bentley with a paint-to-sample exterior and a few special badges. It’s a deeply personal expression of what coachbuilding looks like when time, money, and taste are allowed to roam freely—and when the client knows exactly what she wants.

That client is Sonia Breslow, a collector whose garage already reads like a greatest-hits album of Bentley history: a Blower Continuation Series, a Speed Six Continuation Series, and the Bacalar that effectively rebooted Bentley’s modern coachbuilt era. Batur Convertible #4 doesn’t just join that lineup; it converses with it, carrying forward a visual and material language that’s uniquely hers.

From the outside, this Batur leans into elegance rather than shock value. The tri-tone exterior uses Breslow’s own commissioned colors, anchored by a hairline 6-mm gloss-silver stripe that accentuates the Batur’s defining feature—its seemingly endless hood. The upper body wears “Breslow Blue,” a shade so personal it extends beyond paint. Mulliner color-matched the convertible roof canvas to it, creating the first bespoke-colored roof of its kind. Drop the top, and the same hue reappears on the Airbridge beneath, turning a functional aero element into a design flourish.

Subtlety continues elsewhere. A Midnight Breslow Blue pinstripe traces the hood, wheel accents and mirror caps quietly echo the primary palette, and polished titanium exhaust finishers add a muted sparkle at the rear. Bright silver grilles keep things classic, reminding you this is still a Bentley—even if it’s one filtered through an intensely personal lens.

The real theater begins when you open the door. Bentley’s animated welcome lamps are already a party trick, but here they cross into signature art. Using more than 415,000 microscopic mirrors, the system projects Sonia Breslow’s handwritten name onto the ground. It’s not flashy in a Vegas way; it’s intimate, like a signed first edition waiting on your doorstep.

Inside, the cabin trades cool blues for warmth. Autumnal tans and caramel tones dominate, offset by restrained light-blue accents that pull the exterior Breslow Blue into the interior without overwhelming it. Contrast stitching runs across the tonneau, seats, headrests, and instrument panel, tying the space together with quiet consistency. Look down, and you’ll spot the outline of Mount Batur—namesake of the car—woven subtly into the deep-pile floor mats, a detail most owners would never notice but Mulliner insists on perfecting anyway.

The dashboard blends old and new in a way only Bentley seems able to pull off. Inspired by early Bentleys, a bright aluminum engine-spin finish spans the fascia, shimmering softly rather than shouting for attention. The Bentley Rotating Display—equal parts gimmick and genius—features bespoke-colored gauge faces and a satin-blue clock face that matches the overall theme. It’s the kind of detail that feels indulgent until you realize how cohesively it’s been executed.

Then there’s the metalwork. Batur Convertible #4 marks Bentley’s first use of three-dimensionally printed platinum. The top-dead-center marker on the steering wheel and each organ stop are crafted from the precious metal, adding literal weight to the term “bespoke.” It’s innovation hiding in plain sight, more jeweler’s atelier than automotive factory.

For all its handcrafted artistry, this Batur doesn’t forget to perform. Under that endless hood sits the most powerful version of Bentley’s iconic W12: a hand-assembled, twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter engine delivering 740 horsepower. In an era where downsizing and electrification loom large, the Batur Convertible feels like a last, defiant love letter to excess internal combustion. It’s not about lap times or Nürburgring bragging rights; it’s about effortless, continent-crushing grand touring, roof down, horizon ahead.

Breslow herself sums it up best. This isn’t a speculative asset or a concours queen waiting for its next auction appearance. It’s a forever car, designed down to the last stitch and pinstripe to reflect its owner’s passion for detail and individuality. In that sense, Batur Convertible #4 isn’t just a Bentley—it’s a collaboration, a rolling manifesto of what modern coachbuilding can be when the client is as committed as the craftsmen.

As it joins its Mulliner siblings, this Batur stands as a reminder that true luxury isn’t about shouting the loudest. Sometimes, it’s about a handwritten name in light, a roof dyed just right, and a W12 beating beneath a hood that seems to stretch on forever.

Source: Bentley

News

Bentley’s First Electric SUV Takes Shape in the Arctic

Bentley’s transition into the electric era is beginning to look very real indeed. Spotted undergoing cold-weather testing in northern Sweden, the British marque’s first fully electric vehicle has been revealed in its most production-ready form yet, shedding much of the heavy camouflage that cloaked earlier prototypes.

Officially due to be unveiled towards the end of next year, the model – internally referred to as Bentley’s “Luxury Urban SUV” – represents a landmark moment for the Crewe-based manufacturer. And while some key design elements remain hidden, what’s now visible offers a compelling first look at how Bentley intends to translate its traditional values into an electric future.

Without the bulky disguises of earlier test mules, the SUV’s proportions are far clearer. A Bentayga-inspired bonnet line sits above production-spec front lighting, while a wide, low stance gives the car a planted and purposeful presence. The overall silhouette is notably monolithic, drawing strong inspiration from the EXP 15 concept, signalling that Bentley is serious about carrying concept-car drama into its production EVs.

That said, Bentley is still keeping its cards close to its chest. Portions of the nose and rear remain covered, concealing the final details of the design. Even so, the car already looks unmistakably Bentley – an important consideration for a brand entering unfamiliar territory.

For the first time, photographers have also caught a glimpse inside the cabin, and here the blend of old and new becomes even more apparent. Traditional Bentley cues remain front and centre, particularly the familiar round, metal air vents carried over from the Bentayga. Alongside them, however, is a clear step forward in digital technology, borrowed from the closely related Porsche Cayenne Electric.

A 14.25-inch curved digital instrument display sits ahead of the driver, complemented by a large 14.9-inch central infotainment touchscreen. The layout suggests Bentley is aiming to balance tactile luxury with cutting-edge tech, rather than abandoning its heritage in favour of minimalist futurism.

Underneath, the electric SUV will ride on the PPE platform jointly developed by Porsche and Audi. While Bentley has yet to confirm detailed specifications, R&D boss Matthias Rabe has already hinted at one of the car’s headline features: charging speed. According to Rabe, the EV will be capable of adding up to 100 miles of range in just six and a half minutes, putting it among the fastest-charging electric vehicles on the market.

Such performance implies charging rates of up to 350kW, placing the Bentley just behind the Lotus Emeya, which currently leads the UK market with 400kW capability. Of course, real-world charging will depend heavily on infrastructure, with the average UK charger delivering closer to 120kW. Nevertheless, the figures underline Bentley’s ambition to make EV ownership as seamless as possible.

Rabe also offered bold claims about the car’s dynamic ability, describing it as “very comfortable like a Flying Spur and agile like a Continental GT”. He added that both its 0–100mph and 0–200mph acceleration times would be “very fast”, concluding confidently that it will be “the best Bentley on the road”.

Positioned below the Bentayga, the new EV will be the shortest SUV in Bentley’s lineup, measuring under five metres in length. Its compact footprint is central to its “urban” positioning, with Rabe emphasising a tight turning radius to improve manoeuvrability in city environments – a notable shift for a brand traditionally associated with grand scale.

While Bentley has yet to confirm how closely its EV will mirror the Porsche Cayenne Electric mechanically, the similarities are difficult to ignore. The Cayenne Electric uses dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrains ranging from 400bhp to 805bhp, with launch control pushing output close to 1000bhp in range-topping form. A 108kWh battery provides an estimated range of up to 373 miles, offering a useful benchmark for what Bentley’s version might deliver.

Bentley CEO Frank Walliser has confirmed the electric SUV will debut “towards the end of 2026”, with customer deliveries beginning the following year. Importantly, he stressed that the timeline will remain unchanged regardless of fluctuations in global EV demand.

Attention to craftsmanship remains a core part of the story. Rabe revealed that the interior will feature 30 square metres of leather, assembled using 150 metres of thread and an extraordinary 130,000 stitches – figures that underline Bentley’s determination to preserve its artisanal identity in the electric age.

Walliser summed up the significance of the project: “Our first fully electric Bentley, the world’s first true luxury urban SUV, represents a bold step forward. It embodies our vision for sustainable luxury and technological excellence.”

“With industry-leading charging capability and unmistakable Bentley character and design, it marks the beginning of an exciting new era for our brand – a future defined by innovation, craftsmanship and sustainability.”

If this early prototype is anything to go by, Bentley’s electric future is shaping up to be every bit as ambitious as its past.

Source: Autocar