Behold the Bentley Bentayga Apex Edition

20-unit special gets carbon wheels and ceramic brakes for 44kg unsprung weight saving

The Bentayga S will likely be more than enough Bentley SUV for most, with 550hp from its twin-turbo V8, rear-axle steering and active anti-roll technology. For those who need more, however, Bentley now offers this: the Apex Edition by Mulliner, nothing less than the ‘most dynamic-looking and driving Bentayga ever’.

Interestingly, there’s no more power, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t significant changes. Because this is a Bentley on carbon rims - you read that right. The 22-inch wheels are a collaboration with Bucci Composites and save a huge six kilos each in unsprung mass over the standard items; not only that, but Bentley claims that a forged aluminium wheel can lose up to a degree of camber because of flexing, which doesn’t happen with a super strong carbon wheel. Just don’t even think about any damage to them.

Behind the new wheels sit Carbon Silicon Carbide discs, which offer improved braking performance over standard, can withstand temps up to 1,000 degrees, and contribute another useful weight saving - they shave 20kg off the figure for iron rotors. So that’s 44kg in total, all unsprung, which could have a transformative effect on the Bentayga S experience when gains are there with a few kilos taken away. Marking out Apex Editions (if the wheels aren’t giveaway enough) will be satin carbon exterior accents including badges plus a couple more model-specific highlights inside.

Six ‘curated themes by Mulliner’ are available as far as colour choice goes, which seems more than generous given only 20 Apex Editions will be made. And it’s actually seven, because those who were fortunate enough to get a Le Mans Edition GT or GTC last year can have their Bentayga in matching specification.

Otherwise the choice is Extreme Silver with Beluga stripe and Signal Yellow pinstripes, Pale Brodgar with Anthracite stripe and Bacalar bronze pinstriping, Alpine Green with matching stripe and orange pinstripe, Candy Red with Anthracite/Arctic White stripe and Arctic White pinstripe, Anthracite with black stripe or Orange Flame. We’d go into interior variations, but you get the idea - there’s something for everyone here, not least with additional personalisation available on top.

With just 20 for the entire planet, the Apex Edition will be an incredibly rare thing even by Bentley standards. There isn’t a price yet for any market, though suffice it to say that 22-inch carbon wheels and giant ceramic brakes don’t come cheap in any context - let alone an extremely limited edition one. And you’re probably too late anyway. But don’t forget funky Bentayga specs aren’t exclusive to the Apex Edition: this one combines dark green and orange very smartly, and those feeling brave can go all in on the Orange Flame by Mulliner with this V8 S.