Bentley injects sportiness into Bentayga with new S

BENTLEY has added an extra dose of agility to its Bentayga SUV line-up with the reveal of the new S variant which pairs a bespoke sports suspension tune with more aggressive looks, similar to what Porsche does with its GTS variants.

Flaunting a heap of blacked-out exterior elements – side skirts, grilles front and rear, wing mirrors, tail-lights, dark-tinted head and tail-lights – and an enlarged roof spoiler while riding on unique 22-inch alloy wheels, the Bentayga S is powered by the familiar twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 developing 404kW/770Nm.

As usual, drive is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, resulting in a 0-100km/h time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 290km/h.

To help the S live up to its name – and appease the customer demand that resulted in its return – Bentley has fitted its “Dynamic Ride” active anti-roll control and expanded the parameters of the standard “Sport” driving mode.

Enhancements include a 15 percent increase in the damping of the air suspension, unique stability control and Bentley Dynamic Ride tunes which along with the recalibrated torque-vectoring system, claim improved steering feel, greater turn-in response and less body roll.

To match the sportier character portrayed by the S, a new sports exhaust has also been added to better match the pumped-up attitude of the exterior.

The sporty theme continues inside the cabin too with a heap of Alcantara – seat cushions and backrests, gear lever, steering wheel, upper trim and headlining – and the option of seating for four, five or seven people.

The seats themselves have been redesigned to be sportier as well.

Other highlights and changes include a smattering of “S” motifs and badges throughout the cabin, illuminated “Bentayga S” treadplates and the configurable digital cockpit from out of the flagship Bentayga Speed.

In terms of a local introduction, Bentley Australia has confirmed to GoAuto the brand is planning to launch the Bentayga S here late in the first quarter of 2022 with pricing and local specification inevitably set to be revealed closer to its release.

The brand’s local arm has sold 26 Bentaygas so far this year ending April, accounting for 2.1 percent of the $100,000-plus upper large SUV segment.