Motoring: The not-so-gently Bentley & more
BENTLEY has given the public debut to its new highly-anticipated 4×4 vehicle.
The Bentley Bentayga First Edition was unveiled to a select group of VIP customers at the Sunset Marquis Hotel, Los Angeles. The exclusive limited edition of the most powerful SUV in production will be restricted to just 608 cars globally.
Bentley hopes the eye-catching specification with exclusive details and unique components demonstrates the Bentayga’s abilities to the fullest. The First Edition’s unique design includes Brand Britain touches as Union Jack badging, illuminated treadplates and 22inch black painted and polished wheels. Just 10 exterior colours will be offered, highlighting the exclusivity of the model.
Inside the cabin, the ‘Diamond within Diamond’ quilting, bespoke ambient lighting, Union Jack fascia badging, unique contrast stitching and embroidered seats are intended to enrich the look and feel of this special series still further. There is also detailing in metal, wood and leather – including meticulous tolerances between elements of trim.
Bentley is producing 608 Bentayga First Edition models as this number marks the metric power output of the Bentayga 608 PS (600 bhp / 447kW) and 900 Nm (663 lb. ft).
Built in Crewe, an all-new twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 engine is at the heart of the new Bentayga. Bentley says the mighty 12-cylinder unit combines efficiency and refinement with ultra-luxurious levels of power and torque. With a 0-60 mph time of 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds) and a top speed of 187 mph (301 km/h), the Bentayga is billed as the world’s most powerful and fastest SUV.
Kevin Rose, board member for sales and marketing, aftersales, said: “With the First Edition we have created the ultimate expression of the Bentayga’s spirit. It is equipped with an array of striking features that celebrate both the pioneering nature of the Bentayga and its unique abilities.”
Each of the First Edition customers will also receive a unique Breitling watch to complement their new, luxury SUV.
In tribute to the launch of the new Bentley Bentayga SUV, Breitling has created three high-performance special-edition chronographs: the Emergency, which features an integrated dual frequency personal locator beacon; Cockpit B50 – with its electronic multifunction calibre; and the automatic Chronomat 38, which is designed for women.
Goldenballs’ Sport set to go under the hammer
A SPECIAL Range Rover Sport first owned by David Beckham is set to go under the hammer at a classic car auction in the West Midlands.
The off-roader is being auctioned off at a sales organised by Classic Car Auctions at its base in Warwickshire on December 5.
The 2007 car was exclusively designed and upgraded for the ex-England captain by Kahn Conversions at a cost of £100,000. Estimates for the sale are between £23,000 and £25,000.
The car is powered by a 4.2 litre supercharged V8 petrol engine and is presented in Beckham’s favourite black with a striking Kahn body kit and black five spoke alloy wheels.
Complete with every optional extra conceivable, the Range Rover features a unique interior with hand-stitched quilted leather seats and a bespoke Genesis sound system. There is also plaque bearing the legend “Designed for David Beckham”, as well as the Beckham name embroidered into the floor mats.
First registered with the number plate “DB1001” the history file includes a speeding summons in the name of David’s sister Joanne, to whom he subsequently gifted the car with the V5C listing Beckham as the first owner and the current vendor as the second.
David isn’t the only Beckham to lend a hand in designing a Range Rover. Notably his wife Victoria helped support the design of the hugely popular Range Rover Evoque.
Speaking of which…
LAND Rover has unveiled the convertible version of its best-seller to buyers in Los Angeles and as befitting the home of Hollywood has ‘evoked’ a little glamour to sell the vehicle.
It has enlisted the support of Bond actress Naomi Harris, none other than Miss Moneypenny herself, to help promote the vehicle.
JLR is keen to pull out all the stops for the new Evoque – which will be made at Halewood from next year – because it knows that California is such an important market for the car.
Harris, who in her role as Moneypenny has been paired with Land Rover vehicles including the iconic Defender (Skyfall) and more recently the Discovery Sport (SPECTRE) said: “I was so impressed by the design of this car; it’s like nothing I’ve seen on the road before and is so sleek! I love the fact that it is just as much at home driving down the Pacific Coast Highway in LA, as it is off-road in the British countryside.”
More than 450,000 Range Rover Evoques have been produced globally since its introduction in 2011 making the premium compact SUV the fastest-selling Land Rover of all time. This sales success has been accompanied by critical acclaim, as the Range Rover Evoque has also won more than 165 international awards since launch.
The new Range Rover Evoque Convertible will go on sale from spring 2016. Pricing in the UK will start from £47,500 OTR based on a TD4 HSE Dynamic derivative.
Luxury Mercedes SUV set for launch
THE new Mercedes-Benz GLS seven-seat luxury SUV is now available to order, priced from £69,100 OTR, ahead of first UK deliveries in March next year.
The German manufacturer claims the new GLS sets standards as the ‘S-Class among SUVs’. It said the seven-seater premium SUV combines luxury with comfort, agile dynamics and best-in-class safety.
The new GLS features improved efficiency, extended DYNAMIC SELECT transmission modes, the latest AIRMATIC air suspension system with ADS adaptive damping system, a nine-speed 9G-TRONIC automatic transmission, state-of-the-art driver assistance systems and the latest telematics with internet access.
Three models are available in the UK: the GLS 350d 4MATIC AMG Line, the GLS 350d 4MATIC designo Line and the new Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 4MATIC.
