THE EPITOME OF LUXURY

FACT spent the day in the new Bentley Bentayga Azure, a luxury vehicle that stands head and shoulders above most would-be premium SUVs.

This month, thanks to Bentley Doha, FACT got to experience the epitome of automobile luxury when given the opportunity to test drive the new generation Bentley Bentayga.

First unveiled in 2015, the Bentayga firmly established a sterling reputation thanks to its attractive design, impressive on-road performance, genuine off-road capabilities and bespoke specifications. The second generation Bentayga is propelling this reputation to new heights as Bentley launches its first extended wheelbase (EWB) edition.

Exterior

Fortunate enough to get our hands on the enhanced Azure trim, our model exhibited extra special touches, including body-coloured lower bumper grilles and side skirts, along with Azure badging.

At the front end, the elegant Vertical Vane Grille design delivers a visually striking centrepiece, announcing the arrival of this modern SUV in a most memorable manner.

When taking in the SUV’s flanks, the extra 180mm wheelbase of the EWB edition, combined with the proud stance of the 2023 model, endows the new Bentayga with a powerful presence. This sturdy posture is underscored by the model-specific 22- inch 10-spoke wheels. The graceful yet commanding lines and curves of this luxury SUV flow effortlessly from bonnet to boot and combine with the slightly sloping roofline to form an aesthetically pleasing profile.

The new Bentayga’s shapely rear end combines oval LED taillights and a unique twin dual exhaust system with integrated lip and roof spoilers, ensuring the vehicle looks as good on departure as it does on arrival.

Interior

This luxury SUV has been designed with the rear occupants firmly in mind, which is no surprise considering Bentley’s proud history of producing chauffeur-driven vehicles.

The rear cabin of the Bentayga EWB couples world-class luxury with technical innovation, showcasing craftsmanship and levels of comfort other premium vehicles can only dream of.

In the new Bentayga, Bentley have achieved near perfection with what can only be called simplistic luxury. The brand have not attempted to overpack its SUV with countless quirky features and desperate cries for attention. Instead, they have concentrated on classy inclusions, high-quality materials and attentiveness to the finer details.

The 16-way power-adjustable seating of the new Bentayga provides ventilation, five individual massage programmes and a beautiful diamond-quilted design. The flawlessly symmetrical pattern of the seat back tops was achieved through digital craftsmanship and precision technology.

The extended wheelbase ensures all passengers have ample legroom, while the redesigned front centre console provides improved ergonomics and functionality for the rear passengers. The rear face of the console has been extended to improve interaction with the touchscreen remote and now houses a wireless charging cradle for smartphones.

Infotainment & Connectivity

The Bentayga’s infotainment system is accessed through a 10.9-inch display and features a small rotary knob for additional control. This intuitive setup is compatible with Apple CarPlay (wireless) and Android Auto (cable). Paired with a fully digital instrument cluster, the high-quality screen displays a traditional speedometer and tachometer, along with a detailed map and night vision camera.

The top-of-the-line Naim audio system proved to be one of our favourite internal features of the new Bentayga. Equipped as standard in our Azure model, the sound quality was amongst the clearest and fullest we’ve ever experienced.

Safety & Assistance

As one would expect from a Bentley, the Bentayga has been equipped with a full suite of advanced safety and driver assistance features. These include, but are not limited to, crash mitigation and detection systems, ABS brakes, traction and stability control and a rear-view camera.

The Touring specification includes a head-up display, lane-keep assist, traffic assist, lane departure warning and a tyre pressure monitoring system. Dual front and rear side curtains, along with front and rear thorax bags, have also been equipped as standard on all Azure models.

Power & Performance

The most memorable moment of our Bentayga experience was the firing up of the engine. The Bentayga EWB is powered by Bentley’s 4.0-litre, 32-valve, dual twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine. Coupled with an eight-speed automatic gearbox, this SUV delivers a supercar performance in Sport Mode, producing 542bhp and 568lb.ft of torque. This potent powertrain enables the car to surge from 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds and to achieve a top speed of 290km/h.

“The rear cabin of the Bentayga EWB couples world-class luxury with technical innovation, showcasing craftsmanship and levels of comfort other premium vehicles can only dream of.”

Our Verdict

We thoroughly enjoyed the smooth and quiet ride delivered by this premium SUV. The ample power combined with proficient suspension and braking systems meant a superb on-road experience.

The Bentley Bentayga Azure EWB delivers an exquisite all-round experience exclusively reserved for those purchasing the upper echelons of the luxury SUV segment. ✤

GO: CALL 4411 4411 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK A TEST DRIVE OF YOUR OWN.