Behold the Bentley Bentayga S Black Edition
New addition to the Bentayga lineup gets first black-tinted Bentley wings in 105 years
When Bentley talks about the new Bentayga S Black Edition being its ‘most visually striking SUV to date’, we're inclined to break out the table salt and our cleanest pinching fingers. Given the length and breadth of its personalisation programme - and the global nature of its money-no-object customer base - we’re inclined to think that there have been customised, one-off Bentaygas waaay more visually striking than this to have left the factory gates.
Of course, what Bentley means is that the Black Edition is the most visually striking if you stay within its demarcated bounds of good taste. And in this respect, the firm finds itself on much more solid ground. There are seven colours to choose from (Mandarin, Signal Yellow, Klein Blue, Pillar Box Red, Ice, Hyper Green, and Beluga) when it comes to the ‘laser-like’ stripe on the Styling Specification body kit that separates the new model from its stablemates. That and what’s claimed to be the first application of black-tinted wings to a Bentley in 105 years.
Accuse us of drinking too deeply from the Crewe-brewed Kool-Aid if you like, but we quite like that detail, even allowing for its trifling significance in the grand scheme of things. Truthfully, Bentley had precious little wiggle room on the basis that the existing S trim already gets gloss black brightwork, although it plays nicely into the stealthy theme at least. We’d probably swerve the 22-inch black-painted wheels given the choice, but either way you get brake calipers in the same colour as your contrast stripe.
Somewhat predictably, that accent becomes even more prominent inside. Bentley reckons the ‘contrast stitching, contrast piping and accent-coloured sections of the leather trim come together to achieve the same searing effect’ as you get on the outside, although from where we’re sitting, we’d say the result is probably more effective. Either way, you also get a black ’S’ emblem embroidered on the seat and there is a carbon fibre weave for the dash fascia and centre console. The Dark Chrome pack for all the metal detailing is standard, too.
Mechanically, the Black Edition is unchanged from the S in terms of raw output - it can be bought with either the 550hp 4.0-litre V8 or the 462hp V6 hybrid - and it retains both all-wheel steering and Bentley’s active roll control technology. It also gets the ‘increased capability’ the manufacturer endeavoured to find via an enhanced ‘Sport’ mode, which is said to deliver improved steering feel and a better turn-in thanks to a 15 per cent increase in air suspension damping and the loosening of the stability control noose.
If the regular V8-powered S is anything to go by (and, black-tinted wings aside, it really should be) then the Black Edition is likely to suit any luxury SUV buyer down to the ground. Matt Bird called it ‘superb’ when we tried it out against the outgoing Range Rover SVA a couple of years ago - and that was before Bentley got around to fitting four-wheel steer. Of course, the latest addition will come with a premium attached, so you’re unlikely to see a whole heap of change from a quarter of a million quid. Striking, no?
I much prefer it in old man spec (dark green, with a tan interior) - but that crowd is an ever shrinking market...
Yet another tasteless w@nker tank for rich people with way more money than sense.
This is what people aspire to nowadays, which tells you a lot about people these days.
What an awful place the world is becoming............
I also noticed yesterday that your tasteless remark on the Lotus thread was deleted.
Mods or a change of heart?
If it was the mods, some introspection might not go amiss.
Everything a Bentley shouldn't be, top job
Don't believe me on the SUV bit?
https://youtu.be/QGB7pIj4DFc?si=PiLahcJyH4Hy5U3f
In my humble opinion!
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