Bentley Bentayga, London. What's the point?

[MarJay]

I encountered something rather unexpected on my commute into London yesterday. A Bentley Bentayga.

It was enormous, and it was difficult to filter past (on the bike) and it was stuck in traffic just the same as any other car. Then, surprisingly on the way home I also encountered the same car. Also stuck in traffic, also difficult (but not impossible) to get by.

Since then, it's stuck in the back of my mind. Why? Why not buy a Range Rover? Why show off that you can afford to splurge 200 grand or whatever it is on a car that is just going to sit on the M3? I assume it's not a regular trip as I've never seen it before but if you've got a Bentayga, wouldn't you have a Fiat 500 or something just to nip into town with?

I'm not even sure why I'm puzzled. I'm not sure if I'd even be as affected if I saw someone doing the journey in a 488 or something.

I suppose it says something about me. I would like to be in a situation where I can afford a 200 grand car, but if I were would it be a Bentayga? No of course not. I thought they were produced purely for rich Chinese businessmen where being ostentatious is of the fashion, or perhaps the occasional Premiership footballer. Yeah I might expect to see one in Cheshire, but driving into London on the M3? I'd buy a Rangie and with the change I'd buy a bunch of fun cars or bikes.

Waftmobile, yes I can see the point. Range Rover? Not my thing, but I can see the point. Sports car? Definitely. Supercar? Definitely. Cars for people who need to transport people and things? I don't like them, but they are most certainly a necessity. A 200 grand supersoft leather trimmed 600hp piece of bling? Who am I? Wayne Rooney?

(I just looked up the 2020 Range Rover, and the cheapest is £89k. Sheesh! but at least they are subtle to some extent?)

I just don't get it, and it would be great if someone could explain it to me. Mind you, I don't get 'Adventure' bikes or 'SUV's or 'Crossovers' at the best of times, so maybe it's just me?

[Jonny_]

If you're able to afford it, it's probably about the comfiest way to get through a traffic jam.

[Plate spinner]

“...being ostentatious is of the fashion...”

It’s not just Chinese businessmen

Suggest you check social media. Everyone wants the world and their dog to know how happy / rich / successful they are via the goods they own.

I guess though if you can afford it, it’s your choice. It would make a boring commute more comfortable.

[iphonedyou]

Because the owner liked it, and could afford it, and so he bought it.

That’s really it.

[Jimmy Recard]

It seems like an excellent car for a traffic jam to me. Quiet and comfortable and automatic gearbox. Much better than a Fiat 500.

Maybe the owner does commute usually in a Fiat 500 but today it was being repaired/serviced so used the Bentayga. Just one possible reason you haven't seen it before.

[hungry_hog]

Unexpected?

See them almost daily. The similarly sized RRS/FFRR is extremely common in London for people with a pretty penny to spend.

I guess the point is (for a fella) showing wealth, showing off and attracting like-minded puffy lipped women?
For a girl - showing other yummy mummies how successful you are and attracting the guy with tattoos and Gucci trainers.

Seem pretty compelling reasons to me!

[StuE39]

If I had to sit in hours of traffic, I'd also choose a Bentayga to do it in too! That's if I could afford one. If you're staring at an interior for hours, I can think of worse ones to look at than a Bentley.

[ettore]

There are hundreds in London, thousands of Range Rovers and an increasing volume of Metrocab Cullinans and Urii. Nothing unusual in seeing them.

People like them, can afford them and they make decent London wheels - simples.

[Brooksay]

"comfortable" is a strange word to use. Comfy as in the seats are soft and the air perfectly conditioned, maybe. Comfortable knowing that most people are looking at you thinking 'wker', and some more than likely with murder in their eyes, well, I'd find that a tad uncomfortable. Out of interest, upon leaving it parked in public does the owner have to scrape much spit off it on his return?

[anonymous-user]

To him / her it be like buying a fiat 500.

If I had to live in London / commute in traffic it is what I would probably pick too.

[ettore]

Brooksay said:

"comfortable" is a strange word to use. Comfy as in the seats are soft and the air perfectly conditioned, maybe. Comfortable knowing that most people are looking at you thinking 'wker', and some more than likely with murder in their eyes, well, I'd find that a tad uncomfortable. Out of interest, upon leaving it parked in public does the owner have
to scrape much spit off it on his return?

Have you been to central London recently?

No one gives a monkey - either way.

[GT03ROB]

Brooksay said:

"comfortable" is a strange word to use. Comfy as in the seats are soft and the air perfectly conditioned, maybe. Comfortable knowing that most people are looking at you thinking 'wker', and some more than likely with murder in their eyes, well, I'd find that a tad uncomfortable. Out of interest, upon leaving it parked in public does the owner have to scrape much spit off it on his return?

Seriously? You think they are that worried?

As many people will look at a ST Ford or S line Audi & think the same

[flatso]

URII....excellent use of grammar!

[iphonedyou]

Brooksay said:

"comfortable" is a strange word to use. Comfy as in the seats are soft and the air perfectly conditioned, maybe. Comfortable knowing that most people are looking at you thinking 'wker', and some more than likely with murder in their eyes, well, I'd find that a tad uncomfortable. Out of interest, upon leaving it parked in public does the owner have to scrape much spit off it on his return?

Nobody really cares.

[Cledus Snow]

Brooksay said:

and some more than likely with murder in their eyes,

Really?

[DoubleD]

iphonedyou said:

Because the owner liked it, and could afford it, and so he bought it.

That’s really it.

Yep, but some like to make more out of it than that for some reason.

[Glenn63]

Probably blocks almost all surrounding traffic noise, big comfy massage seats, a good sound system and automatic, why wouldn’t you want to sit in traffic in one.

[Meeten-5dulx]

Prob already had a RR, so what is 'better' or more discussed.....

Shrouds don't have pockets...

[can't remember]

Go on, spec up a Range Rover. What in the real world is the difference between a 135K RR and a 150k Bentley? fk all to those who can afford it.

[alorotom]

Why not and frankly who cares??

Thankfully we have a market full of choice to choose from that caters for all tastes and financial affordability envelopes.