2023 Bentley Bentayga Azure on 2040-cars

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2022 Bentley Bentayga gets the world's largest production carbon wheels

Carbon fiber wheels are becoming a hot commodity when it comes to sports cars, and for obvious reasons: They're light and strong. Now the technology is coming to SUVs, as the Bentley Bentayga will soon get the option of the woven and molded wheels. The wheels available will measure 22 inches in diameter, which Bentley says makes them the largest carbon fiber wheels in production. You can also rest assured that they'll be safe for a multi-ton SUV as they pass Germany's rigorous TUV testing and regulations. And they deliver on the lightweight promise, as each wheel weighs about 13 pounds less than an aluminum counterpart. Not only is that good for performance, but we'd bet they deliver a nicer ride, too. Bentley also highlights some other benefits of the carbon fiber wheels. Among them is greater rigidity. Bentley says that aluminum wheels can flex under load up to the equivalent of one degree of camber per G of force. And supposedly, the reduced flex will help reduce tire wear. We sincerely doubt any Bentayga driver will notice. Heck, we doubt many car enthusiasts would actually notice. But hey, luxury isn't entirely about what you'll really notice. Really, we suspect most people who pick up these wheels will do so because they like the look of the exposed carbon. And it should, as Bentley also mentions, match the available carbon exterior packages nicely. If you're looking to pick up a Bentayga with these wheels, they'll be available later this year. Pricing hasn't been announced. Related video: Byron plays rich in the 2021 Bentley Flying Spur V8 | Autoblog

The Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e Concept is the gentleman's open-air electric tourer

The ever-present pressure exerted by increasing fuel economy and emissions standards is forcing automakers worldwide to re-examine their traditional internal combustion lineups. In order to gauge customer interest, Bentley brought the all-electric EXP 12 Speed 6e to the Geneva Motor Show. The drop-top concept shows Bentley's vision of an electrified future and what it envisions a battery-powered luxury touring car will be. Bentley believes any electric vehicle that wears the flying B should be as capable as the equivalent gas-powered model. That means London to Paris or Milan to Monaco on a single charge. Filling the battery should be effortless, which is why they want inductive charging, negating the need for cables. There is one for those times inductive charging isn't available. Most of all, the electric motors should supply effortless amounts of torque, just like the current lineup of Bentley eight and 12-cylinder engines. The interior of the EXP 12 Speed 6e is both futuristic and distinctly Bentley. High-quality leather and copper trim cover most services while a large OLED display houses most of the car's controls. The half-cut steering wheel uses glass elements embedded with various buttons and controls. The cut sections feature controls a performance boost and one for a speed limiter for use in urban areas. The copper elements continue outside, highlighting various trim elements around the car. When in motion, there is a large "6" that illuminates within the grille. The design is similar to the Continental GT prototype we spied a few weeks ago, which in turn takes elements from a previous Bentley concept, the EXP 10 Speed 6. It will be interesting to see how well customers receive the concept. Rolls-Royce brought out similar vehicle awhile back. Reception was icy, but the two automakers do have a different customer base. Related Video: Featured Gallery Bentley EXP 12 Speed 6e Concept: Geneva 2017 View 14 Photos Image Credit: Live photos copyright 2017 Drew Phillips / Autoblog.com Geneva Motor Show Bentley Convertible Electric 2017 Geneva Motor Show

Bentley Bentayga Hybrid First Drive Review | Mass without substance

The new Bentley Bentayga Plug-In Hybrid is the venerable British brand's cheapest vehicle. Certainly, with a base price of $158,000, it is not inexpensive by any stretch. In fact, it costs more than four times the average price of a new vehicle purchased in America this year. But after driving an advance version of the marque's first plug-in through the horror-scape that is Silicon Valley, we were reminded of the old saying: You get what you pay for. We will preface this review by stating something that should be obvious: The Bentley Bentayga is our least favorite Bentley. Its proportions are inelegant, its shape nondescript. Though we know it is hand-built in Crewe alongside the rest of the marque's wondrous new lineup, it lacks the specialness, a sense of occasion that should be endemic. This isn't just because it's a sport utility vehicle, and thus ostensibly utilitarian. The contemporary Range Rover, the Mercedes G-Class, and even the Rolls-Royce Cullinan all have the kind of gracious charisma that the Bentayga lacks, even if they deliver it in a manner that is louche and imperious. The Bentayga looks like a Bentley knockoff, a crossover tarted up with all of the relevant if superficial brand cues, but without the necessary substance. The plug-in hybrid only enhances this perception. Whereas other Bentaygas at least arrive with potent twin-turbocharged motors in V8 (542 horsepower ) and W12 (600 or 626 hp) configurations, the Bentayga Hybrid is granted only a 335-horsepower VW parts bin 3.0-liter, single-turbo V6, paired with 13 kWh of batteries in the trunk and a 126-hp electric motor. It accelerates to 60 mph in 5.2 seconds, well off the pace of its non-hybrid siblings and in the realm of its lesser platform-mate, the $70,000 Audi Q8 V6. This is not special. Even less special is the way in which the Bentayga Hybrid comports itself when accomplishing its tasks. A Bentley, by definition, is meant to be extraordinary, and this extraordinariness is meant to be effortless. Being in a Bentley should make everyday events special, and special events grand or even grandiose. Driving the Bentayga Hybrid feels like engaging with functional transportation. This is not because we are hostile to electric vehicles. We love electric vehicles, and their intrinsic and luxurious benefits in terms of silent operation and instant-on torque.