Bentley introduces Bentayga Diesel
The Bentayga Diesel uses two turbochargers and an electric supercharger.
Bentley has announced a diesel-powered version of its Bentayga SUV. The Bentayga Diesel represents the first diesel-powered model in Bentley's history.
The Bentayga Diesel is powered by a new 4.0L V8. In addition to being twin-turbocharged, the diesel V8 also uses an electric supercharger that can spool in just 30 microseconds, virtually eliminating turbo lag. The end result of all that technology is 429 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, the latter available from 1,000rpm.
Shifting through an eight-speed automatic transmission and Bentley's all-wheel drive system, the Bentayga Diesel can scoot from 0-60 in just 4.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 168mph. Bentley says those figures make the Bentayga Diesel the fastest diesel-powered luxury SUV on sale today.
Although diesel has been a dirty word for the Volkswagen Group as of late, Bentley says the Bentayga Diesel is actually the cleanest vehicle in its lineup. The Bentayga Diesel emits 210 g/km of CO2, compared to the gas-powered model's 296 g/km.
Bentley says the Bentayga Diesel is capable of traveling 621 miles on a single tank. Given the SUV's 22.5 gallon tank, that means the Bentayga Diesel should be able to hit nearly 28mpg on the highway.
In order to distinguish the Bentayga Diesel from its W12-powered counterpart, designers have updated the SUV with a black grille with chrome surround and center bar, V8 diesel badging and ‘twin-quad' exhaust outlets. Bentley is also introducing a new interior veneer — Liquid Amber — with the Bentayga Diesel.
"The Bentayga Diesel represents a moment of immense significance in Bentley's history, by giving the world its fastest luxury diesel SUV,” said Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors. "Immense power, grand touring capabilities and superb refinement - this is a true Bentley. Only Bentley could produce a car so powerful, yet so refined.”
The Bentley Bentayga Diesel will hit European showrooms early next year. Bentley has not announced any plans to sell the Bentayga Diesel in the United States.
