• There's that Bentley eye. All photos courtesy Bentley
    There's that Bentley eye. All photos courtesy Bentley
  • Big, it might be, but it's still rather zippy.
    Big, it might be, but it's still rather zippy.
  • There's that tidy interior.
    There's that tidy interior.
  • Sitting under a spectacular sky.
    Sitting under a spectacular sky.
  • That redesigned rear section.
    That redesigned rear section.
  • Green, mean, yet strangely serene.
    Green, mean, yet strangely serene.
  • Bentley badge on a bit of sporty seating.
    Bentley badge on a bit of sporty seating.
  • Feel like getting in?
    Feel like getting in?
  • The 'B'-all and end-all.
    The 'B'-all and end-all.
  • That terrain shouldn't present too much of a problem.
    That terrain shouldn't present too much of a problem.
  • Tidy bit of trademark detailing on the door.
    Tidy bit of trademark detailing on the door.
  • Heading into the sunlight.
    Heading into the sunlight.
  • Getting a bit of speed up.
    Getting a bit of speed up.
  • Here it comes.
    Here it comes.
  • There's the posh new steering wheel.
    There's the posh new steering wheel.
  • Shiny in silver.
    Shiny in silver.
  • Nothing there to complain about.
    Nothing there to complain about.
  • A rearside wink.
    A rearside wink.

First look: Bentley gives the 2021 Bentayga a facelift


Simon Wilgress-Pipe
  • English
  • Arabic

Bentley has finally launched the new Bentayga – and with it, the company has outlined its plans to regain its place at the top of the luxury SUV tree.

The 2021 Bentayga is being touted as the ultimate in power, luxury and usability.

This latest model is said to combine the abilities of a performance grand tourer, a posh limousine, a spacious family car and an off-roader, giving it the broadest brief of any car on sale today.

An assertive mission statement, indeed.

An initial glance is enough to tell you the 2021 version certainly looks the part. The classic lines are still there. The front grilles, while not an insubstantial feature before, have been beefed up even more. In fact, Bentley says every panel at the front of the car has been redesigned.

The dynamic look remains, then, and still reflects design cues from the Continental GT and the Flying Spur.

Under the bonnet, the Bentayga has a 4-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which will get to 100kph from a standing start in 4.5 seconds and tops out at 290kph.

Inside, it’s even roomier than before, and the comfort levels are unlikely to fall short of the standards of even the most pernickerty punter. Major changes come with the introduction of a new central fascia and steering wheel, as well as upgraded door trims and seats – now available with ventilation in the rear of the standard five-person cabin option.

The infotainment system features a 10.9-inch display screen with edge-to-edge graphics. Two levels of audio system are offered: the Signature standard or an optional Naim system with 20 speakers.

The new model was designed at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, England, where the cars are still manufactured (though Bentley itself might prefer it if we used the word ‘handcrafted’ to describe the building process).

The Bentayga has some strong competition with the likes of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan and the Lamborghini Urus, both of which have shifted plenty of extra units for their respective brands.

Bentley won’t feel too downhearted about that, though, having already sold more than 20,000 Bentaygas since its launch.

As yet, there's no official information over price or when the vehicle will arrive in the UAE.

Emergency phone numbers in the UAE

Estijaba – 8001717 –  number to call to request coronavirus testing

Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111

Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre

Emirates airline – 600555555

Etihad Airways – 600555666

Ambulance – 998

Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday (All UAE kick-off times)

Lecce v SPAL (6pm)

Bologna v Genoa (9pm)

Atlanta v Roma (11.45pm)

Sunday

Udinese v Hellas Verona (3.30pm)

Juventus v Brescia (6pm)

Sampdoria v Fiorentina (6pm)

Sassuolo v Parma (6pm)

Cagliari v Napoli (9pm)

Lazio v Inter Milan (11.45pm)

Monday

AC Milan v Torino (11.45pm)

 

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills