Bentley has expanded the Bentayga lineup with the addition of a new powertrain option.
The British automaker's best-selling luxury SUV is now available with a 4.0-lilter twin-turbocharged V8 engine — the same powertrain used by the Porsche Panamera Turbo and will also be seen in the upcoming Bentley Continental GT.
In the Bentayga V8, the gasoline engine delivers 542 horsepower and 568 pound-feet of torque. The powertrain is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that sends power to all four wheels. This allows the luxury SUV to go from 0 to 60 miles per hour (mph) in 4.4 seconds and attain a top speed of 180 mph.
The new V8 model also comes with start-stop technology, which activates at "near-to-stop" speeds, as well as shut-off technology that deactivates four of the eight cylinders during certain conditions. The shift happens in just 20 milliseconds so drivers and passengers do not notice it.
With the addition of the Bentayga V8, Bentley's luxury SUV is now available with three powertrains. The Bentayga V8 sits in between the Bentayga Diesel, which is powered by a 4.0-liter V8 diesel engine that delivers 429 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, and the W12 model, which comes with a 6.0-liter 12-cylinder engine that produces 600 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque.
At 5,280 pounds, the Bentayga V8 is also lighter than the two other models.
The Bentley Bentayga V8 carries the same design language as the other models. However, the new model sets itself apart with sporty red front brake calipers, new 22-inch alloy wheels in black and with a polished finish, a black and chrome grille and twin-quad exhaust pipes.
Inside the cabin, the Bentayga V8 features a new wood and leather steering wheel, a high-gloss carbon fiber trim on the dashboard, center console and doors, as well as a new chestnut leather color, Cricket Ball. These new trimmings will also be made available on the other Bentayga models.
U.S. pricing and availability for the Bentley Bentayga V8 has yet to be announced. Meanwhile, the British automaker is also slated to introduce a plug-in hybrid variant for the Bentayga later this year.
