Bentley Bentayga arrives

Bentley has launched its controversial Bentayga uber-SUV Down Under.

Priced from $423,600 for the launch ‘First Edition’, the five seater SUV is the fourth model family in the UK brand’s line-up, joining the Continental GT coupe, Flying Spur sedan and Mulsanne limousine.

Bentley claims Bentayga establishes a new “ultra luxury segment” in the SUV world. It plans to sell around 50 of the loaded softroader in Australia this year.

Bentayga is powered by an all-new 6.0-litre W12 turbocharged petrol engine which pumps out 447kW and 900Nm. For the first time, the signature Bentley powerplant features cylinder deactivation and auto start-stop.

The car itself features a host of technologies new to the brand, gifted to the off-roader by the vehicles co-development with Volkswagen Group partners, Audi and Porsche.

The new Bentley features alloy panels and a new part-alloy part-steel body in white. The external panels are manufactured using the same advanced ‘Superforming’ techniques as the Mulsanne.

Bentley claims it consulted customers around the world in creating the Bentayga. It says vehicle is fully capable off-road and yet still claims a top speed of over 300km/h.

The Bentayga accelerates 0-100km/h in 4.1sec. Peak torque is available at just 1250 rpm. Indeed, Bentley claims the big five-door can power its way from 5-80% of available torque with just a 1.1sec push of the accelerator.

As you'd expect from the luxury UK brand there is no shortage of bright work, jewelry and tech. All lighting is via LEDs and the car also features an acoustic windscreen and double glazed side windows.

Driver aids include adaptive cruise control and 360° camera systems as well as self parking. At this stage, however, the Bentayga does not feature any autonomous driving modes.

Bentayga rides on height-adjustable air suspension and offers a kneeling function for access to the 590-litre cargo area. There is no seven-seat option but a power tailgate is standard, of course...

The company believes up to 50% of Bentayga buyers will be new to the brand. However, it says that more than a third of existing customers currently own and SUV of some description.

It believes Bentayga will attract a more youthful and “active” customer profile than its existing models.

As you'd expect at this end of the marketplace, options for customizing your Bentayga are myriad. Rear seat entertainment, custom picnic sets, a patented ‘event seat’ cum luggage barrier and even shotgun cases are all available from the pricelist.

The most outrageous option however is what the company claims is the world's most expensive in-car timepiece. The Breitling Mulliner Tourbillon clock will set you back in the region of an ‘eye-watering’ $250,000. Although that does include a desk mount for when you choose to remove it from your Bentayga!

At this stage Bentleys local connections say no Australian owner has ticked that box yet.

motoring.com.au drove the new Bentayga briefly at Sandown circuit today.

The location and very brief time in the car (just two laps) means we'll reserve judgement on the car’s dynamic abilities in the real world. That said, we can vouch for both its refinement and outright pace.