The Bentley Bentayga V8 Design Series is
now in Bentley Kuala Lumpur. Described as a contemporary styled and visually
dynamic version of the luxury SUV, the Design Series combines unique Mulliner
exterior and interior features with a suite of existing Bentayga options for a
striking special edition.
Mulliner features include Palladium Grey
Paragon alloy wheels with self-levelling wheel badges, which means that the B
logo will always remain upright when the wheels rotate. These fancy shoes are
in a seven-spoke design with polished accents.
The Blackline spec is standard here, which
besides black trim in place of chrome bits, adds a body-coloured lower apron on
the front bumper and twin gloss black tailpipes. There are Design Series badges
on the lower front doors.
Inside, a new carbon fibre weave and
Duotone colour palette are available for the first time, as well as an accent
design line colour split with Beluga leather seats and high-contrast orange
hide. The latter is focussed on the console and lower dashboard areas. Duotone
centre seat perforations are also found here.
The carbon fibre weave applied to the
dashboard and doors was created specially for the Bentayga V8 Design Series,
featuring an intricate diamond quilt pattern with a gloss finish. Piano black
is used on the console and centre fascia. Design Series embroidery can be found
on the seatbacks (a dash of orange to match the Duotone), while the deep pile
floor mats have contrast binding.
Watch guys will want a Breitling clock in
a Bentley, and the Bentayga V8 Design Series has it. It’s not just the usual
watch face though, but a mother of pearl dial with diamonds alternating with
12, 3, 6, 9 as indices. The “bezel” has Bentley’s usual knurled pattern, while
Breitling’s winged B logo is applied. Like jewellery, you don’t need this fancy
clock, but it’s such a nice touch. Lastly, the Design Series cabin is completed
with illuminated treadplates, and goodies like the Front Seat Comfort spec and
drilled alloy sports pedals are ticked.
Under the hood is a 4.0 litre V8 with 550
PS and 770 Nm of torque, sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed ZF
automatic. It may not have Crewe’s signature W12, but the Bentayga V8 does the
0-100 km/h sprint in just 4.5 seconds, onwards to a top speed of 290 km/h. For
the “base engine” of something so huge, that’s impressive. There’s cylinder
deactivation (happens in 20 milliseconds) and auto stop-start to help
efficiency. As with all Bentaygas, the V8 Design Series comes with an
electronic differential lock and up to eight drive modes, four on-road and four
off-road. There’s also multi-mode air suspension and hill descent control.
The Bentayga V8 Design Series is priced at
RM 1,045,000 before taxes and duties. Bentley KL says that only one exclusive
unit will be ever available in Malaysia – this one you see here – so get in
touch with the KLCC outlet if your interest is piqued.