2015 Bentley Bentayga Photos, engines & full specs

Bentley finally decided to end the rumors and launch its first-ever SUV in 2015, opening a new chapter in the carmaker's story with the Bentayga.

In 2012, Bentley tested the market and unveiled a concept car at the Geneva Motor Show. It was an SUV and had the EXP 9 F nameplate attached to it, and just a few people considered that the model would reach production. And yet it happened three years later when, at the Frankfurt Motor Show, the British automaker unveiled the Bentayga and created a huge controversy among the marque's fans. But it was the right decision, and the luxurious SUV became one of the brand's best-selling products.

As part of the Volkswagen Group, Bentley had access to all the best parts that the German automaker had in its basket. As a result, the Bentayga shared its platform with the Audi Q7, Volkswagen Touareg, and Porsche Cayenne. It also received a distinct bodywork that incorporated Bentley's main design language. As a result, the front of the SUV featured a broad chicken-wire-style mesh grille on the upper side, complemented by additional cooling areas on the lower side of the bumper. Furthermore, the full LED headlights resembled those installed on the Continental GT. From its profile, the vehicle revealed its sculptured door panels and side sills, while the raked-forward tailgate emphasized the car's dynamic image. Moreover, at the back, under the bumper, the Bentayga boasted a pair of chromed exhausts with a unique, butterfly-like shape.

At the time of its launch, the Bentayga was the most luxurious production SUV in the world. As a result, the cabin boasted handcrafted leather upholstery and wood grain inserts in the dashboard, center console, and door cards. The driver fronted an elegant instrument cluster filled with two large dials and two smaller ones and an LCD that took center stage for various data gathered from the onboard computer regarding car status, navigation, or multimedia system. In addition, the automaker installed its latest technologies available, such as the infotainment unit fitted with an 8" touchscreen placed on the center stack. Moreover, the automaker offered an option for a 10.2" removable tablet that ran on Android, made for the rear passengers. In the back, there was a split-folding bench wide enough to fit three adults but profiled for two. This bench, when folded, expanded the trunk, which was very generous in size. Bentley also offered an option for cutlery, glasses, and dishes for a nice weekend in nature.

Bentley used the same W12 twin-turbo powerplant as its stablemates but tuned especially for the heavy, full-size SUV. Despite being mostly a road-oriented vehicle, it featured an eight-speed automatic transmission and a transfer box with off-road designated programs. Thanks to this setup, the SUV could easily handle soft off-roading situations.