Diesel-Driven Bentley Bentayga Unveiled!

What's that you hear? Just the sound of tea cups shattering. Flail your arms around and run in circles because what's happened is blasphemy in its truest sense. Under the hood of a Bentley now sits a diesel engine. GULP! The first-ever diesel engine for the Winged-B finds home in the first SUV the brand has ever made -- the Bentayga. 

Alright, alright, it isn't as bad as it sounds. Since this is Bentley we are talking about, the engine isn't just another diesel motor. The Bentayga borrows the 4.0-litre from the borderline bonkers Audi SQ7. The massive motor is paired to a ZF-sourced eight-speed gearbox that channels power to all four wheels. The V8 diesel engine is twin-turbocharged and is supplemented by an electric-powered compressor (EPC) that spools up within 30 microseconds.

The result is 435PS of power and 900Nm of twist (available from just 1,000rpm), that is enough to make the gargantuan Bentayga sprint to 100kmph under five seconds -- 4.8 to be precise. Flat out, the bulky Brit will go on to hit speeds of 270kmph. While the 0-100kmph timing is on par with its Audi brother, top speed is higher by 20kmph. It is fuel-efficient as well (in case the millionaire cares), with a range of 1,000kms on a single tank of diesel. 

And, in case you are wondering if the diesel engine ruins 'The Bentley Experience', then here's what the press release read like: "The new model has also been made with a number of specific developments to provide peerless refinement. For example, the bespoke exhaust system has been acoustically engineered to be as quiet and refined as possible." Right then: super refined, super quiet, super powerful. Ticks all the Bentley boxes in my books. 

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: "The Bentayga Diesel represents a moment of immense significance in Bentley's history, by giving the world its fastest luxury diesel SUV. Immense power, grand touring capabilities and superb refinement -- this is a true Bentley. Only Bentley could produce a car so powerful, yet so refined."

Everything else, including the not-exactly-pretty exteriors to the bespoke interiors, has been carried over as is from its petrol-engined counterpart. But there are a few subtle differentiators in place -- a 'V8 Diesel' badge embedded on the lower front door edge, 'twin-quad' exhausts, and a gloss black grille with a central chrome bar. The interiors are doused in leather, wood and some chrome. It can seat five, and continues to look like a luxury yacht on the inside. 

Bentley already retails the petrol-powered Bentayga in India, so we cannot rule out the possibility of the diesel being launched here. What's your say on the first-ever diesel Bentley? Let us know through the comments below!

Recommended Read: Bentley Unveils 635PS Flying Spur W12 S!

Read More on : Bentayga