Bentley is cranking up the sporting intent of its Bentayga with the first S variant of the luxury SUV. Sports suspension, sports exhaust and sports body kit – but no more performance – justify the S badge, Crewe’s response to big-power SUVs like the coming new super-Cayenne from Porsche which put all the emphasis on on-road dynamics.
The Bentley Bentayga S is a 550PS ultra‑luxury SUV
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The new S remains V8 powered – the W12 Bentayga Speed is still unavailable in the UK and Europe – and adopts the 550PS (410kW) drivetrain from the regular Bentayga V8, itself hardly a slouch with a 180mph top speed and 0-62mph in 4.5 seconds, stats shared by the new S model.
The regular V8 is no handling dunce either but the S has been endowed with more agility and responsiveness for what according to Bentley is a more engaging drive on challenging roads. Central to this is the firm’s trick 48-volt Dynamic Ride active anti-roll control system which unlike other Bentaygas is included as standard. The S also gets something you can’t get elsewhere in the range: a specific suspension tune.
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Damping for the air springs is 15 per cent stiffer and there’s a more purposeful Sport mode thanks to recalibrated stability control and torque vectoring systems. Improved steering feel, greater turn-in response and reduced body-roll are the claimed result. The new sports exhaust is said to provide a suitably fruitier soundtrack for the added dynamic edge.
Other drive modes remain as before including an off-road setting – but with the new and glamorous S-specific 22-inch wheels would you really go off-piste in this Bentley? Gloss black and silver with delicate directional “scythe” spokes, the rims are ceramic polished and hand finished – and undoubtedly look better on the Kings Road than in a muddy ditch.
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The wheels are joined in a style makeover by blacked-out brightwork and light lenses and a body kit of larger rear spoiler, gloss black side sills and front and rear lower bumper sections, plus the obligatory S badgework.
There are plenty of S motifs inside too, along with new seats, Alcantara trim and new colourways and trim detailing – all executed with a sports emphasis. Like other Bentaygas you can get the cabin in four, five or seven-seat forms, and also with a long list of options and personalisation choices. Prices start from £179,600 – and finish more or less wherever you want.
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