Bentley has launched the Bentayga in India at a price of Rs. 3.85 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi). This is the first SUV from the British luxury car maker.

The Bentayga is based on the Volkswagen Group's MLB-Evo platform. It is powered by a 5,950cc, W12 petrol engine that produces 600 BHP and 900 Nm of torque. The engine is mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox and an all-wheel drive system. Bentley claims that this is the fastest SUV in the world with a 0-100 kph time of 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 301 kph.

The Bentayga carries over design elements from other Bentleys. These include the round LED headlamps and grille. The car has B-shaped side vents, dual tail pipes and a roof-integrated spoiler as well. The vehicle measures 5,141 mm in length, 1,998 mm in width (with mirrors folded) and 1,742 mm in height. It has a wheelbase measuring 2,992 mm and a kerb weight of 2,422 kg.

On the inside, the Bentayga gets leather upholstery, an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with navigation and a 60 GB hard drive, Wi-Fi connectivity, heated split rear seats and panoramic sunroof as a part of standard equipment. Optional equipment includes Bentley Rear Entertainment, a Bentley Signature sound system or a Naim sound system, and a Breitling Tourbillon dashboard clock among other features.

Bentley's ambition to make a mark in the SUV segment will see the light of the day in 2016. The British luxury car maker has officially confirmed that its first SUV will be called "Bentayga". Now, the company has released a teaser video showcasing some key features which this car will boast.

For starters, this SUV will possess a head-up display, infrared night vision, a terrain response system, a touch sensitive start/stop system and adaptive cruise control, among other features. It goes without saying that the interiors sport generous amounts of leather and wood, all of which ooze luxury.

The Bentayga will compete with Range Rover's Autobiography - an SUV which sits at the pinnacle of the premium luxury segment.

Bentley has officially stated that their first luxury SUV will be name the "Bentayga". The SUV concept that was initially named the EXP-9F, is the British car maker's attempt to "combine pinnacle luxury and performance".

While the actual debut will take place later in 2015, the official announcement was made at the Detroit motor show. According to the official release, the name has been inspired by the Roque Bentayga rock formation in the subtropical Canary Islands. Labelled a "sector-defining SUV", Bentley says the Bentayga will offer an "impressive combination of on and off road performance".

The luxury SUV will be put on sale in 2016.

Check out a teaser video of the Bentayga in action here.

Bentley has officially confirmed a £40 million investment that will expand its headquarters in Crewe. The expansion is in preparation for the arrival of what Bentley calls the "world's first ultra-luxury SUV", slated to make its debut in 2016.

Measuring over 45,000m², the new centre will house a dedicated styling studio, research and development offices and a technical workshop. 1,300 engineers will work at these facilities. The expansion will accommodate a new research and development centre, which Bentley says will create over 300 jobs. The new posts will include engineering, manufacturing & support roles. Over the past 18 months, Bentley has created a total of 950 jobs.

Bentley recorded their highest sales of 10,120 units last year and hopes to exceed that figure in 2014.

Yesterday, Bentley launched the Flying Spur ultra luxury 4-door, high performance saloon in India. On the sidelines of the launch, Bentley's Regional Manager for South Africa, India and the Middle East, Mr Chris Buxton, announced that the luxury car maker plans to bring all new, global models to India. 

This model blitz will include the likes of the under-development Bentley EXP 9 F crossover, the Mulsanne saloon and the Continental GT V8 S. While the Mulsanne will be launched in India by the end of this year, the Continental GT V8 S is being lined up some time next year.

The Bentley EXP 9 F concept crossover, whose production version will make its global debut in the first quarter of 2016, is likely to be launched in India later that year. The SUV is likely to be the best selling Bentley model in India given India's preference for luxury SUVs over saloons as the former suit Indian conditions better. 

The production version of the SUV is likely to be different from the concept in terms of design and will be built based on the inputs that Bentley has received about the concept version. The luxury SUV will be built at Bentley's factory in Crewe, England, and will be shipped to locations across the globe. 

Bentley is exploring the option of adding a diesel engine to the luxury crossover line up, given the fact that the platform it is based on also supports the likes of the Audi Q7, the Porsche Cayenne and the Volkswagen Touareg, SUVs that feature both petrol and diesel power.

The next-generation Audi Q7 crossover, due in 2017, and which will feature aluminium construction is said to be a precursor of the Bentley SUV, in terms of the platform and the diesel engine option. The 4.2 liter V8 turbo diesel engine that the 2014 Audi Q7 will come with is likely to be shoehorned into the Bentley SUV as well. 

The petrol engine on the Bentley SUV will be a V12 unit that is likely to output between 575-650 Bhp. The crossover will come in 4, 5 and 7 seat versions, with its price pegged at about US $ 260,000. At that price, the Bentley SUV is significantly more expensive than the top end Range Rover, and is therefore said to create an all-new segment of ultra luxury SUVs.  

Source IndianAutosBlog