Front passenger's side view of the Karma GS-6

KARMA AUTOMOTIVE LAUNCHES GS-6 SERIES, DRIVING CONSUMER PASSION FOR ELECTRIC VEHICLES IN “NEW LUXURY” SEGMENT

The next evolution of sophisticated luxury is here with the introduction of the GS-6 Series from Karma Automotive, a southern California-based producer of luxury electric vehicles. The first model to be produced in the new series is called the GS-6, and while it will retain the same exotic design of the award-winning Revero GT®, it will be offered at a more attainable price point for drivers who want the environmental benefits of an electric vehicle, without sacrificing design or performance.

“Our brand promise at Karma has always been to provide high-end luxury vehicles and technologies that are driven by innovation and inspire our drivers’ ambitions with new and unique offerings,” said Dr. Lance Zhou, PhD, Karma’s CEO. “As we look to the future, we believe we will change the world of mobility by making luxury electric vehicles more accessible.”

The combination of stimulating design, confidence-inspiring driving and technology, and an aggressively-priced manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $83,900*, the GS-6 extended range electric vehicle (EREV) is a formidable competitor in the “new luxury” sedan segment. Available now, the GS-6 is offered in three variants: Standard, Luxury, and Sport, with the anticipated all-electric GSe-6, the brand’s first-ever pure battery electric vehicle (BEV), available later in the year starting at $79,900*.

All GS-6 models benefit from the exclusive design and craftsmanship that Karma Automotive is known for, while offering high-tech customization that allows every Karma to be personal and special to its owner. The GS-6 family is available with convenience and safety features including an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS) which features Adaptive Cruise Control (with “Stop & Go” feature), Lane Keep Support (LKS, with hands-off detection/warning and haptic steering wheel response for unintended lane departure), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM) and Rear Cross Traffic Alert (RCTA), 360-degree Surround View Cameras System (SVCS), and Parking Distance Monitoring (PDM). The haptic steering wheel can also control audio and phone functions, cameras, driving modes, the adaptive cruise control and the 3-mode regenerative braking system. The GS-6 also has heated power side view mirrors, eight airbags, an anti-theft alarm, Over-the-Air (OTA) remote diagnostics and software update functionality, Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay®, Android Auto™, and integrates Karma mobile app support.

The GS-6 Series has Karma’s class-leading powertrain and new vehicle warranty: 8-year/80,000-mile powertrain limited warranty; 4-year/50,000-mile new vehicle limited warranty; 6-year unlimited anti-corrosion/perforation limited warranty; and 4-year/50,000 mileage roadside assistance program.

Confidence-Inspiring Performance

Assembled at Karma’s Innovation and Customization Center (KICC) in Moreno Valley, California, which has offered world-class engineering, design, customization and manufacturing services along with electrification platforms since it opened in 2017. The 28 kW HV battery pack together with a 1.5-liter turbocharged powerplant mated to an onboard generator provides electricity to the 400 kW 2-motor propulsion system that offers a compelling combination of drivability, performance and efficiency. This setup provides 536 horsepower and 550 lb-ft torque. All options incorporate Karma’s advanced regenerative braking system.

Beautiful, Functional Design

Karma vehicles have a long and well-established reputation for excellent design and the GS-6 is no exception with focused customization options, including elements like reclaimed wood salvaged from California wildfires, carbon fiber and a range of five interior leather color combinations. New for 2021, Karma has introduced two new exterior colors – Saguaro Green and Imperial Copper – that will join a diverse palette comprised of 10 other California-themed hues. The GS-6 will also offer a black-out option and various exterior carbon fiber elements.

The GS-6 and GS-6L will come standard with 21-inch Cascade Silver wheels and slate-colored Brembo disc brake calipers, while the top-of-the line GS-6S will come standard with 22-inch Dune Twist Midnight Chrome wheels with red Brembo calipers mated to vented discs. Optional caliper colors also include silver, blue, yellow and two shades of orange and certain trim levels include options for either 21- or 22-inch wheels and surface finishes.

Human Machine Interface (HMI)

The high-resolution connected displays in the GS-6 serve as the information hubs for tech-forward drivers, controlling the vehicle systems such as steering feel, accelerator pedal aggressiveness, ADAS behavior, HVAC, audio functions, camera displays, and other vehicle systems. Using Bluetooth connectivity, a driver’s phone can used to activate Apple CarPlay™, Android Auto™ and their in-car ecosystems. In addition, the center display on the GS-6 features personalized comfort zones for heated and vented seats, mirrors, temperature, audio and lighting.

Upon accessing the “Energy” page via the center-mounted touch-screen, the driver can enter “Track Mode” which provides several statistics including energy flow, tire pressure and temperature, speed, torque, lap times, g-forces, energy usage, battery function, engine temperature, fuel usage and driving history. The “Driver Stats” page holds the vehicle’s achievement records and can encourage them to “beat” their previous records for racetrack environments or driving efficiency.

The “Energy History” page provides current and historical energy usage, where energy-conscious drivers can monitor the vehicles efficiency over various trips and receive an energy efficiency score, as well as displaying a multitude of other dials and data points.

Karma App

The Karma app functions as a controller offering drivers access to the vehicle’s location, remote preconditioning, door lock-unlock, charge scheduling, vehicle health reporting and an Augmented Reality (AR) user manual.

Firmware Over the Air (FOTA)

Cellular connectivity provides bidirectional software connectivity for remote diagnostics and continuous updates and upgrades helping the vehicle systems remain current and even improve over time.

Karma Extended Range EV Technology

The GS-6 is designed as an “extended-range electric vehicle” or “EREV” to help mitigate consumer range anxiety fears. This range extender setup uses an on-board generator to create electricity which powers the motors propelling the wheels. The vehicle utilizes a transversely mounted, twin-motor, Rear Drive Module (RDM) that includes torque vectoring in the GS-6S variant. The 28-kWh battery pack is good for up to 80 miles of pure electric range and 360 miles of total range[1].

The GS-6 uses inverters developed in-house by Karma’s powertrain team that converts DC current from the battery pack and/or generator to power the AC drive motors, and to capture AC power from the regenerative braking system to recharge the battery pack. A single-speed gearbox sits between the twin motors. Because the inverters are integrated with the drive motors, the RDM is an extremely compact and lightweight package.

Three Driving Modes

An efficient, three-cylinder, 1.5-liter, turbocharged powerplant acts as the GS-6’s range-extender. In “Stealth” driving mode, the vehicle is powered by the battery only. In “Sustain” mode, the generator creates electricity to power the vehicle. In “Sport” mode, power is provided to the traction motors from both the battery and the generator. To enhance the driving experience, Karma also implemented an active exhaust system specifically programmed to provide a throaty, sporty note when driving in Sport mode.

Safety is a Priority

To further enhance driver confidence and with vehicle safety at the top of customers’ purchase considerations, Karma has developed and integrated several Advanced Driver-Assistance Systems (ADAS) safety features in the GS-6, including the following technologies:

  • Lane Keeping Assist (LKA) – Combine a forward-facing camera to detect lane markings with an electric steering system, alerting drivers through haptic feedback when they are about to cross lines.
  • Lane Keeping Support (LKS) – Combine a forward-facing camera to detect lane markings with an electric steering system, actively keeping the vehicle in the center of the lane.
  • Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) – Automatically steps in to prevent a collision and is a vital piece of safety technology in all new Karma products.
  • Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with “Stop & Go” feature – Accelerates or brakes to maintain a set distance from the car ahead to relieve the stress of operating the accelerator pedal in many cruising conditions. The ACC system can bring the vehicle to a complete stop in normal traffic situations with ‘Resume’ available for extended stops.
  • Blind Spot Monitor – Vehicle-based sensors that detect other vehicles located to the driver’s side and rear and provides user-selectable visual, audible, and haptic steering wheel warnings.
  • Curve Adaptive Headlights – As the driver turns the steering wheel left or right the headlights pivot in that direction to better illuminate what’s in the vehicle’s path and a side camera view can be shown on the center display.
  • Surround View Camera System – Front and rear cameras, side view curb cameras, and a 360-degree overhead vehicle view combine to provide a birds-eye view of your car on the center display. The visual information is reinforced with audible warnings if the vehicle is too close to an obstruction.

More Attainable Pricing

As previously announced, the Revero GT nameplate will be moving up-market in future variants, while the GS-6 will now occupy a slot in the Karma lineup at a much more attainable price-point for entry luxury buyers.

“We’re proud that we have been designing, engineering, producing, selling and servicing luxury EV vehicles for years now, which is something other EV startups can’t say,” said Joost de Vries, Karma’s VP of Global Sales and Customer Experience. “The GS-6 with its more attainable price point, combined with a long list of standard and available convenience features and luxurious design, will appeal to a much larger audience.”

The GS-6 Series

In addition to the GS-6 EREV, 2021 will see Karma Automotive offer it’s first-ever all-electric vehicle, the GSe-6. With a starting manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $79,900*, the U.S.-built vehicle will include a new all-battery powertrain configuration expanding the automaker’s reach in the competitive pure EV market.

Drivers who are interested in securing their GSe-6 please contact one of our Karma specialist.

Side view of the Rolls-Royce Phantom Tempus with front and back doors open

Introducing Phantom Tempus

Rolls-Royce Phantom, the marque’s pinnacle product, which resides at the apex of the luxury world, has today become the subject of an exclusive and rare collection, the Phantom Tempus Collection. This arresting new iteration of Phantom is inspired by Time – how it passes, and how it can be made seemingly to stand still.  The Collection is strictly limited to just 20 examples, all of which have already been allocated to clients.

The design of the Phantom Tempus Collection encompasses various aesthetic and intellectual themes relating to time and the cosmos. A key component is a rare astronomical phenomenon, the pulsar, unknown until 1967 and found only in the deepest reaches of space (the nearest yet discovered is 280 light years, or 1,680 trillion miles, from Earth). These very dense, white-hot stars emit electromagnetic radiation in extremely regular pulses, making them some of the most accurate clocks in the universe.

In Phantom Tempus, this remarkable force of nature is rendered as a centrepiece in a Bespoke Starlight Headliner consisting of fibre-optic lighting and intricate Bespoke embroidery, creating the unique and beautiful Pulsar Headliner.

Another aspect of time – the illusion of its standing still – is captured in the ‘Frozen Flow of Time’ Gallery. This unique artwork is housed in the fascia from which the clock is deliberately omitted to signify patrons’ freedom from time and its limitations. A single billet of aluminium is milled to form 100 individually contoured columns, representing the 100-million-year period of a rotational spin of a pulsar star. Each column is black-anodised and hand-polished to reflect the light. As the eye travels along it, the whole structure, though entirely solid, appears to ripple and flex.

A description of the Gallery can be found on an engraved plaque in the glove compartment, together with a quotation from Albert Einstein, “The distinction between past, present, and future is only a stubbornly persistent illusion“.

A swirling, twisting pattern of stars is presented on the interior of the doors. Created by hundreds of illuminated perforations, additional perforations in contrasting leather add a greater depth and detail to the effect, providing an atmospheric aura even when not illuminated.

The exterior of the Phantom Tempus Collection is presented in a new Bespoke paint finish, Kairos Blue, created to embody the darkness and mystery of space. The paint incorporates jewel-like blue mica flakes, which glitter and glint as they catch the light, representing the stars. This effect is highlighted by black exterior detailing.

Gracing the bonnet of Phantom Tempus is the Spirit of Ecstasy, now in her 110th year, personalised with a unique date and location of particular significance to the client. A marriage, the birth of a child or even a major business success, can be engraved as a timeless reminder on the base of the iconic figurine.

As a finishing flourish, a unique accessory has been developed to accompany the Collection. Based on the widely acclaimed Rolls-Royce Champagne Chest, the Tempus Champagne Chest incorporates a distinctive element of the Collection. A pulsar artwork is hand-painted onto the table, below which, the perfectly appointed chest houses thermal flasks for chilling both champagne and caviar, four hand-blown crystal champagne flutes arranged to evoke the cylinders of a V12 engine and a fine mother-of-pearl caviar spoon.

For inquiries, please contact us for further details.

The W12 Engine

FIRST CUSTOMER BACALAR W12 ENGINE COMPLETES TESTING

Producing 659 PS (650 bhp) and 900 Nm (667 lb.ft) of torque, the engine for the first customer Bentley Mulliner Bacalar has now completed assembly and production testing at Bentley’s center of excellence for W12 engines.  The Bacalar spearheads a return to coachbuilding by Bentley Mulliner and features an enhanced version of Bentley’s peerless 6.0-liter, W12 TSI engine, the most advanced 12-cylinder engine in the world.  Since the first introduction of the twin-turbocharger W12 in 2003, the refinement of the engine has seen an increase of up to 27 percent in power, 38 percent in torque and a reduction of 28 percent in emissions. This has been realized through evolution and optimization of the crankcase, improvements in the oil and cooling systems, twin-scroll turbocharging technology and more effective injection and combustion processes. Each W12 engine is hand-built over 6.5 hours by a team of 45 craftspeople before undertaking a highly sophisticated test regime of over an hour via three specialist diagnostic machines during the engines assemble. The testing not only provides feedback on the quality of each engine but also provides multiple checkpoints to catalog the exact behavior of each engine from the moment of manufacture. Quality Guaranteed Through Testing The three tests that the Bacalar engine has already been put through are part of Bentley’s exceptional quality control processes. The first test is for leakage and can be undertaken after the engine has been assembled to the point that fuel, water and oil systems can be closed – a production stage known as a “short engine”. The leakage test is conducted by pressurizing each of the systems, for fuel, oil and water individually. The different cavities are pressurized to values between 0.2 – 5.0 bar respectively and then measured whilst the pressure decays over time. The reduction in pressure versus time represents the quality of the sealing of the engine assembly. If the pressure drops faster than expected, a leak is indicated. A fluid is sprayed on to the exterior of the engine to pin-point any leakage paths. The second and most advanced test is Cold Test. The engine is loaded on to a testbed plate and connections are made to the engine loom and all engine systems, whilst a large electric motor couples to the engine via the crankshaft.  “Motoring” the engine via the crankshaft allows the testbed to collect data from a suite of sensors. The facility measures 600 individual properties and characteristics of the engine during a 15-minute cycle. Due to the low running speed of 120 RPM for the test, finer details and any inconsistencies can be identified thanks to a sample rate that highlights even the briefest of anomalies that would be invisible if the engine was firing or running at speed. This fine detail analysis is also valuable for confirming the precise timing of the engine. Using positioning information from sensors on the crankshaft, crankcase and camshafts along with cylinder compression values, the Cold Test can confirm the engine timing is accurate and therefore achieving the best possible combustion cycle.  In order to gather cylinder-specific data, Cold Test is carried out before the exhaust manifolds, turbochargers and other ancillaries are fitted. The third and final test – Hot Test – checks the complete engine assembly once these parts are installed, and simulates real world usage in the vehicle.  When the engine arrives for hot testing, a UV dye is added to the engine to help identify any leaks. The coolant and fuel system are pressurized with air and nitrogen respectively for a final check before introducing the necessary fluids ready for testing. The engine is cranked to build oil pressure before the ignition system is energized and then left to idle whilst the engine test technician listens for any refinement issues and checks for leaks with a UV lamp. Each W12 is then tested for a minimum of 21.5 minutes and runs up to 3,800 rpm with a maximum load of 300 Nm. One in every one hundred engines receives a full eight-hour power test, achieving 6,000 RPM, and must achieve 900Nm. Since the installation of the three testbeds in 2002, over 100,000 W12 engines have been handcrafted in Crewe and passed through the test facility. Engine Technology Advancements Bentley’s legendary 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12, created in 2002, has evolved into the latest iteration of W12 engine used across today’s current model range. The unique W-configuration means that the engine is 24 per cent shorter than an equivalent V12, benefitting packaging and maximizing usable cabin space. The latest generation of W12 was launched in the Bentayga in 2016. A thoroughly reworked engine included a crankcase 30 percent stronger than its predecessor, while the cylinder surfaces were coated to reduce friction and improve corrosion resistance. A low-alloy steel coating is applied to the bores using an Atmospheric Plasma Spray (APS) process. Improvements were also made to the cooling system, with the engine featuring three separate coolant circuits. The first is designed to bring the cylinder heads up to optimum operating temperature as quickly as possible for best engine performance and low emissions. The second cools the engine block and oil system, while the third handles the thermal load of the turbochargers. Each system has a dedicated water pump, allowing optimized individual control. The W12 combines high-pressure direct fuel injection (200 bar injection pressure) with low-pressure port injection (six bar). The combination of these two systems maximizes refinement, lowers particulate emissions and optimizes power and torque delivery.  Twin-scroll turbochargers minimize turbo response time and provide a more efficient exhaust package. The exhaust assemblies for the three front and three rear cylinders are separate from one another which then feed the twin-scroll impellers. The turbocharger housing is welded directly to the exhaust manifolds and feature integrated speed sensors, allowing the engine to monitor turbo performance for maximum efficiency. Bentley’s Variable Displacement system shuts down half of the engine under defined conditions. Intake and exhaust valves, fuel injection and ignition are all shut down on defined cylinders, with the engine running as a six-cylinder for improved efficiency. The system will run in this mode in gears three to eight, below 3,000 rpm and up to 300 Nm torque output.

Front view of the Bentley Bentayga V8 driving down a road

BENTAYGA V8 PROCLAIMED LUXURY SUV OF THE YEAR BY 4X4 MAGAZINE.

The new Bentley Bentayga V8 has been recognized as the definitive luxury SUV, with the awarding of 4×4 magazine’s Luxury SUV title in their annual 4×4 of the Year awards sponsored by BFGoodrich. The important award celebrates the Bentayga’s benchmark position as the original and best luxury SUV, and comes after the car was previously heralded as the Performance SUV of the Year by the same magazine. Editor of 4×4 magazine, Alan Kidd, comments: “Until this last year, we’ve always seen the Bentayga as a performance SUV. But its pace and dynamics have been so dominant in its character, it has been easy to overlook the luxury that’s a critical element of any Bentley. “That’s why the new Bentayga is so significant. It remains magnificent to drive, with a masterful lightness of touch on the road – but now this is matched by an interior whose seats, fascia and electronics have all been replaced by new items. The improvement is emphatic. “We think the latest version of Bentley’s design language is far better suited to the Bentayga’s proportions, too. It now has the looks to go with its athleticism. “The Bentayga may well go hand in hand with a membership of several exclusive clubs. But the most exclusive of all is the club for vehicles which have triumphed in more than one class in these awards. A former Performance SUV of the Year is now our Luxury SUV of the Year. For one model to reach such heights in two separate categories is truly remarkable.” Consideration for the award was made during Bentley’s “Toy Box” event in October, which included an on- and off-road drive in new Bentaygas. Wading of up to half a meter, side slopes up to 35 degrees and challenging ascent and descent gradients were all tackled with ease by the Bentayga’s intelligent off-road systems. The new Bentayga was the first car launched under Bentley’s Beyond100 business plan in 2020, following a first-generation featuring more than 20,000 cars – more than any of its competitors. A new exterior design adopts the Bentley design DNA now prevalent across the entire model range, giving Bentley the freshest and most modern product family of any luxury car company. Combining the abilities of a performance grand tourer, a luxury limousine, a spacious family car and an off-roader, the new Bentayga follows its predecessor’s mantle of having the broadest brief of any car on sale today. The Bentayga established the luxury SUV sector, and has been enhanced to create the ultimate in power, luxury and usability. Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, England, the new Bentayga is now on sale in all markets around the world. Bentley’s Member of the Board for Sales and Marketing, Chris Craft, comments: “The Bentayga has been the definition of the luxury performance SUV ever since we first launched it five years ago. I’m delighted that 4×4 magazine has conferred this award, recognizing the handcrafted luxury inherent to every Bentayga after having previously commended the car’s performance. That combination of these two seemingly immiscible attributes is what makes every Bentley special, and with the Bentayga we then add every-day practicality, the latest onboard technology and all-terrain usability. It really is the ultimate go-anywhere, do-anything car.” 

Front passenger's side view of the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid

BRINGING SERENITY TO THE CITY AND BEYOND – THE NEW BENTAYGA HYBRID

Bentley is taking the next step on its journey to a sustainable future with the launch of the new Bentayga Hybrid – the only electrified true-luxury SUV in the world, and a model that Bentley predicts will become the best-selling member of the new Bentayga family.

Following the recent launches of the new Bentayga V8 and Bentayga Speed, the new Bentayga Hybrid becomes the third model in the most successful luxury SUV portfolio the segment has ever seen.

The new exterior and interior design emphasises Bentley design DNA across the entire model range, giving Bentley the freshest and most modern product family of any luxury car company.

The new Bentayga Hybrid offers the ultimate in electric luxury, with smooth and silent progress through urban environments, whilst having the grand touring capability to escape the city and explore further. Customers of the Bentayga Hybrid can escape the noise of the city through the refined and acoustically-isolated serenity of the cabin without engine interference, using up to 31 miles of electric-only range (NEDC), before physically leaving the city behind with the comfort of a total combined range of 536 miles (NEDC).

Delivering the same level of comfort and luxury, yet with a quieter and more refined driving experience, the Bentayga Hybrid brings a selection of new technologies and connected car services, positioning the new product as the most technically advanced Bentayga to date.

Introducing the very latest on-board technology and an even more cosseting cabin, the new Bentayga is significantly revised both inside and out from the previous generation.

Subtle exterior badging complements the new Bentayga’s exterior design now prevalent across the entire model range, giving Bentley the freshest and most modern product family of any luxury car company.

Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, Adrian Hallmark, comments:

“The Bentayga Hybrid is the next step on our journey to becoming the world’s leading sustainable luxury mobility company. Bentley will transform from a 100-year-old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury, and the Bentayga Hybrid is the first model to pioneer our company’s recently announced Beyond100 strategy.”

Bentley’s research shows over 90 per cent of customers use their first-generation Bentayga Hybrid on a daily basis or several times a week, and nearly 100 per cent of customers use EV mode, with half of them consistently undertaking journeys of less than 30 miles.

During previous retailer training, 78 per cent zero emissions journeys were achieved regularly over a 500 mile activity. In a more urban environment, one of Bentley’s development drivers achieved 67 per cent zero emissions over 672 miles around San Francisco, and in the UK, Chris Cole – Project Leader for the Bentayga Hybrid achieved 64 per cent zero emissions commuting to and from the factory.

In real world terms, the majority of journeys can be achieved completely in electric only, with zero emissions, delivering more benefits environmentally and building on Bentley’s new reputation for sustainability for the future.

Hybrid Powertrain Drives Further Technological Advancements

The Bentayga Hybrid’s electrified powertrain consists of 12 main components in three key areas. Firstly the distribution of electricity; the charge point is located on the left-hand side of the car, opposite the fuel flap and is specific to the region of the vehicle. An LED provides a visual indicator showing the state of charge of the battery, which can be charged at a rate of 7.2kW/h.

The 17.3 kWh lithium battery consist of 168 individual cells with an expected life of 100,000 miles or eight years, and can be charged to 100 per cent in as little as two and a half hours (region specific). The power electronics convert the energy stored from the high voltage battery to supply the E Motor or supplement the existing 12v vehicles electrical infrastructure.

Conversion of stored energy into smooth, effortless performance is via the 94 kW (126 bhp) E Motor which can produce up to 258 lb.ft (350 Nm) of torque. The E Motor is housed within the transmission between the gearbox and internal combustion engine and can deliver full torque instantaneously from stationary, providing silent and rapid vehicle acceleration.

A 3.0 litre twin-scroll turbocharged V6 engine supplements the E Motor when additional torque is required or when speeds above 84 mph are requested. To warn pedestrians of the vehicle’s near silent movement, a dedicated speaker emits an exterior sound at low speeds.

The Bentayga Hybrid not only has different drive modes but can also use the information stored via the Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Navigation system to achieve the very best efficiency, via feedback through the throttle pedal.

The Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Accelerator Pedal provides a pressure point when in EV Drive to denote the boundary between pure electric and hybrid power. This encourages the driver to stay in EV Drive for as long as possible but can also be disabled if required.

Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Braking blends seamless integration of braking between the E Motor and conventional hydraulic braking, to provide a conventional feel to the brake pedal for comfort and the driving experience while maximising recuperation of energy.

A dedicated button allows control over the three E Modes – EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode. These will enable the driver to manually manage battery usage during a journey – though this can also be managed automatically by the car.

EV Drive mode is engaged as soon as the car is switched on, and maximises the electric driving experience. This is ideal for city driving and for shorter journeys. The Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Accelerator Pedal provides feedback to the driver using a pressure point to denote the boundary between pure electric and hybrid power. Using predictive data from the Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Navigation database, the pedal will vibrate when approaching a junction or speed limit decrease, advising the driver to lift off the throttle, saving energy whilst also giving the maximum opportunity for regeneration. Haptic feedback through the throttle pedal of the transition between the E Motor disengaging and the internal combustion engine starting encourages the driver to stay in EV Drive for as long as possible, maximising efficiency. In pure electric drive, the E Motor continues to function up to speeds of up to 84mph.

Hybrid Mode maximises vehicle efficiency and range using data from the intelligent navigation system. This mode is suited for longer journeys and uses predictive E-Mode and engine coasting whilst following directions from the navigation system. Inputting a destination, the car will automatically engage the correct Drive Mode for each part of the journey, constantly calculating the most efficient use of battery charge and storing electrical energy for sections of the journey where it is most useful – such as when arriving in the city. The system will reduce on-board charge to zero just as the vehicle reaches its destination, maximising overall efficiency.

Hold Mode balances engine and electric power to hold high voltage battery charge for later use. This is the default mode when in Sport is to provide consistent boost and recuperation.

The new Bentayga Hybrid is delivered with all of the required market specific cables, facilitating charging of the vehicle at the home or via industrial charge points at work or in public car parks. In addition to the standard equipment supplied customers can also choose a Bentley branded wallbox available as a no cost option* providing an attractive solution housing the charge unit and neatly storing the charge cables.

The latest release of the My Bentley in-car and remote connected car services are available through the new Bentayga Hybrid. In-car services are now delivered through an embedded SIM, meaning they no longer require a data connection from a customer’s mobile device.

Remote services – subject to regional availability – are accessible through the My Bentley app and are further improved, including the technology levels and range of features. Four specific features for the new Bentayga Hybrid can be found in the convenient features and are as follows:

MY CAR STATISTICS – which provides an overview of vehicle data. You can view the time and date of recent trips as well as last trip distance, average speed, travel time and average fuel/electric consumption.

MY BATTERY CHARGE – allows you to remotely initiate vehicle charging as long as your vehicle is plugged in. You can select the time you plan to leave and the charging system will calculate a rate of charging to achieve the highest level of charge in line with your departure.

MY CABIN COMFORT – lets you remotely heat or cool the cabin to an optimum temperature of 22°C ahead of your journey.

E-CHARGING – identifies the nearest charging point locations in the area or at a destination of your choice, allowing you to navigate to the most convenient location. You can filter the results by distance, bay availability and charging rate.

Bentley Research Proves Effectiveness of Bentayga Hybrid

As part of Bentley’s journey towards electrification and the recently announced Beyond100 strategy (delivering a product range composed entirely of plug-in hybrids or battery electric vehicles by 2026), a research activity has been undertaken to understand customer usage of the Bentayga Hybrid in detail.

Over 90 per cent of customers use their first generation Bentayga Hybrid on a daily basis or several times a week and nearly 100 per cent of customers use EV mode, with half of them consistently undertaking journeys of less than 30 miles.

In real world terms, this means that the majority of the journeys, whether office commuting or school runs, can be achieved predominantly whilst producing zero emissions.

Rear shot of the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid

New Bentayga Hybrid – Summary

The new Bentayga Hybrid builds upon the latest design and feature content offered by the newest iteration of the Bentayga product line.

Adopting the new Bentley family DNA, the exterior of the new Bentayga has a more modern and purposeful look, and concurrently the interior has been re-imagined and now contains a modernised, unparalleled combination of luxury materials and exquisite, intricate craftsmanship.

A next generation infotainment system is integrated seamlessly into the handcrafted, Bentley ‘wing’ dashboard design and features a 10.9-inch display screen with edge-to-edge graphics. The all-new digital display includes super high-resolution and dynamic graphics which are configurable to suit driver preferences.

The latest hardware and software bring all-new navigation with satellite maps, online search and other features. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard for the first time, alongside the existing wired system, along with Android Auto (market dependant). Rear seat occupants benefit from the introduction of a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet, similar to that introduced in the all-new Flying Spur.

Connectivity around the car has been significantly improved, with USB-C data ports and a wireless phone charger now standard. The new Bentayga range is now provided with an embedded SIM, as with the latest Continental GT models, meaning My Bentley connected car features no longer require customers to provide their own data connection. My Bentley in-car and remote services is a continually developing range of services available to customers through a dedicated app, available both on Apple iOS and Android mobile platforms.

The luxurious interior can be further enhanced with the application of dark tint diamond brushed aluminium trim for the first time in a Bentley, as well as two straight-grained veneers new to Bentayga: Koa and Crown Cut Walnut. Mulliner Driving Specification adds a new quilting design, and micro piping detailing is a new option for the seats.

Bentayga Adopts Bentley’s New Design Language

The exterior design of the new Bentayga range has been completely refreshed from the previous generation to create an even more stylish and purposeful car. Every panel at the front and rear of the car has been altered to give it a cleaner and more modern look.

JP Gregory, Head of Exterior Design at Bentley Motors, comments:

“We spent a long time examining how to improve the proportions and character of the car. New Bentayga is still instantly recognisable as a Bentley but now has a much greater road presence, a more self-confident looking SUV from whatever angle you look at the car. The prouder grill and higher, more focused elliptical headlights give a much more modern expression.”

At the front, a larger and more upright new matrix grille allows the Bentayga’s elegant bonnet to sweep down to the very edge of the chrome work. This gives the car a more dominant, upright profile and pushes the new elliptical LED matrix headlamps further apart, raising them 30 mm higher leading to a more muscular aesthetic. The new headlamps also include the marque’s now-signature cut crystal design, which makes them appear to sparkle even when not lit.

Perhaps the most dramatic design changes have been reserved for the rear of the car, where the new Bentayga range is radically different from its predecessor. In line with the Continental GT, it features elliptical tail lamps for the first time.

The lights feature within an all-new, full-width tailgate, resulting in a cleaner, more contemporary look. The licence plate has moved down into the bumper, allowing for prominent Bentley lettering above.

The dynamic new looks are further accentuated with a breadth of individualisation possibilities, including the contemporary urban appeal of the Blackline Specification that replaces all exterior chrome with black versions.

Craftsmanship Redesigned

The Bentayga’s fine handcrafted cabin has been reimagined for the new model. Already universally acclaimed as the benchmark for luxury SUV interiors, new Bentayga Hybrid now contains a modernised, unparalleled combination of luxury materials and exquisite, intricate craftsmanship.

Bentley designers have created an even more relaxing environment for passengers, wherever they travel. Among the major changes to Bentayga’s more contemporary interior are new door trims and steering wheel, plus a redesigned centre fascia and digital instrumentation cluster. These are complemented by new seats that further improve on the industry-recognised benchmark for seat comfort.

Two versatile seating configurations are available in the new Bentayga Hybrid. The standard five-seat benefits from an all-new seat frame, doubling the travel of the rear-seat recline angle, and the optional four-seat layout features two individual rear seats separated by a centre console.

The ergonomics of the four-seat configuration are further enhanced from a 30 mm increase in knee room in the upright seated position, with an improvement of almost 100 mm in the reclined position, helping to make luxury travel even more comfortable.

A new quilting design is included in Mulliner Driving Specification cars, while customers can choose from eight sustainably-sourced veneers including two straight grained options new to Bentayga – Koa and Crown Cut Walnut.

Information At The Press Of A Button

The new Bentayga range now has a fully digital driver’s information panel similar to the Continental GT and new Flying Spur. The display brings a contemporary look to the cockpit, can be customised to the driver’s requirements and features real-time lighting effects with elegant animations.

The standard Bentayga tachometer that displays engine speed is replaced with a dial showing when the car is operating in pure EV Drive, or engine speed if the combustion engine is operating for the Hybrid version. A battery status dial replaces the coolant temperature gauge.

Setting new standards in the sector for customer technology interfaces, the new Bentayga introduced a new, cutting-edge infotainment system. A bigger and brighter, high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen, with an anti-reflection and anti-glare coating and much improved touch functionality, now spans the entire width of the centre fascia for a more contemporary look.

The infotainment screen can display energy flow in each of the three E Modes, showing whether the vehicle is being powered by energy supplied by the battery, or the combustion engine – or whether energy is flowing back to the battery in order to charge it.

The Bentley Hybrid Efficiency Navigation system features free text, context-specific search entry, including an address or point of interest. Navigation is improved with a three-dimensional building display, satellite maps, content in the driver’s next generation Head-Up Display and several other useful features. The Head-Up Display can now project traffic information, street names and distance to destination too.

As well as the usual array of media sources, wireless Apple CarPlay is now standard in the new Bentayga range (in addition to the previous standard wired system), along with Android Auto for the first time in a Bentley. With a corresponding phone plugged in to one of the car’s USB-C sockets, the central infotainment screen mirrors the smartphone display.

The first annual Bentley Fall Classic

Bentley Houston host the first annual Bentley Fall Classic

The inaugural Bentley Fall Classic presented by Bentley of Houston was held November 16th at the Carlton Woods Country Club.

Over 75 golfers were invited to this exclusive event competing for various prizes such as a weekend with a Bentley Continental GT, to stays at the Golden Nugget and The Post Oak Hotel.

The one-day event featured a post-play lunch, drinks, entertainment all while surrounded by Bentley’s complete lineup of new models.

To participate in future classics or sponsorship opportunities, please contact our Concierge for further information.

Rolls-Royce Whispers app

Rolls-Royce Whisper App Expands for the Holiday Season

Rolls-Royce Whispers is the marque’s digital world of curated luxury, an Application created to meet the demands and tastes of an eclectic network of global clients. Over the course of 2020, Whispers has expanded and evolved, providing an engaging and inspiring experience for its unique online global community. Until today, Whispers has been the reserve of owners of Goodwood created Rolls-Royce motor cars. By popular demand, Whispers will now be available for partners of owners, providing a more holistic access as we approach the holiday season.

Already the epitome of customer-centricity, the Application has been evolved to consider the current restrictions faced by so many clients around the world, who, due to Covid-19 movement restrictions, are unable to travel to the Home of Rolls-Royce, in Goodwood, West Sussex. Many clients expressed a wish to maintain even closer contact with the marque, and in answer to these demands, Verena Masters, Head of Whispers, embraced the unique opportunity presented by the Application. Written dialogue is already available via the popular community messaging function. This function has now been developed to facilitate face-to-face video interactions, for more natural communication between clients and the marque. Now, patrons can experience Rolls-Royce’s Global Centre of Luxury Manufacturing Excellence from wherever they are in the world, in the comfort of their own home.

A comprehensive suite of online live video options enables real-time communication with the marque’s executives, product experts and craftspeople. Clients may even view their motor car, live on the production line, at the marque’s manufactory – witnessing the ‘marriage’ – a seminal moment as the powertrain meets the chassis, or the fitting of the Spirit of Ecstasy.

New Ghost has naturally ignited considerable demand for this service. One-on-one live consultations with Rolls-Royce specialists and designers have provided detailed and personal product insights, which enable remote commissioning to take place. Materials and colours are defined, Bespoke accoutrements are envisioned, and unique motor cars are brought to life in consummate Rolls-Royce style – with effortless ease.

The curation of cultural and exclusive opportunities continues on Whispers courtesy of the marque’s Luxury Intelligence Unit. Most recently, members have enjoyed editorial inspiration on topics ranging from the forefront of moving-image art, guidance on how to cultivate a woodland, and even, the philanthropic endeavours of other Whispers members.

Rare and whimsical products continue to delight. The Whispers Concierge is in demand as signed first edition Harry Potter books, unique Hermès handbags and Yeezy Boost 380’s are sourced for members from around the world, as attention turns to the holiday season.

In an additional enhancement of the Whispers Application, members can now virtually exhibit their automotive collections for the network of fellow Rolls-Royce clients to peruse and admire. With the ability to search by name, location and even by car, members are able to connect with local, like-minded members, be it for business or leisure purposes.

For further information, please contact your Rolls-Royce Specialist.

Front view of the Rolls-Royce Ghost

New Ghost has arrived at Rolls-Royce of Houston

As the first to unveil the New Ghost in Houston, Rolls-Royce of Houston launched the newly designed Ghost which Reflects the minimalist philosophy that underpins new Ghost, highlights of this transformative motor car are listed in short form below. For more details please contact our Rolls-Royce representatives for further Ghost details and commissioning options.

The most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce yet 

Succeeds the most successful product in the marque’s 116-year history 

Reflects ‘Post Opulent’ design philosophy, rejecting superficial expressions of wealth 

Built on rigid aluminium Rolls-Royce spaceframe architecture 

All-wheel drive and all-wheel steering for unprecedented poise and surefootedness 

World first Planar suspension system significantly increases agility and effortlessness 

Equipped with hallmark 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine, delivering 571PS and 850nm 

For effortless egress, doors now electrically open as well as close 

Interior components tuned to specific resonant frequency to create a sense of serenity 

Down lit Pantheon grille discreetly illuminates Rolls-Royce iconography 

Illuminated Fascia debuts featuring Ghost nameplate surrounded by more than 850 stars.

To learn more about the New Ghost, contact your Rolls-Royce Specialist today.

The New Bentley Bentayga

Bentley Raises the Bar with the New Bentayga

Bentley has today announced details of the new Bentayga – the definitive luxury SUV, and the first car launched under Bentley’s Beyond100 business plan. With more than 20,000 Bentaygas handcrafted since the car’s launch – more than any of its competitors – the new Bentayga is set to build on an incredible success story to date.

A new exterior design adopts the Bentley design DNA now prevalent across the entire model range, giving Bentley the freshest and most modern product family of any luxury car company. Introducing the very latest onboard technology and an even more cosseting cabin, the new model is significantly revised both inside and out.

Combining the abilities of a performance grand tourer, a luxury limousine, a spacious family car and an off-roader, the new Bentayga follows its predecessor’s mantle of having the broadest brief of any car on sale today.

The car that established the luxury SUV sector has been enhanced to create the ultimate in power, luxury and usability. Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, England, the extraordinary new Bentayga builds further on the outstanding success of its predecessor.

Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, comments:

“From its moment of launch nearly five years ago, the Bentayga has been the very definition of the luxury SUV. Like the Continental GT, the Bentayga created an entirely new part of the market, and since we set the benchmark many others have joined the sector, but no other car can offer a breadth of ability to rival the Bentayga.

“With the new Bentayga, we’re repositioning the pinnacle of the luxury SUV segment to be even higher, even further away from the competition. We’ve listened to our customers and made improvements to the areas most important to them, and the new Bentayga is a thoroughly modern and beautiful extension of the original car’s abilities and achievements.”

New Bentayga – Summary

Key to the new Bentayga is its strikingly dynamic look, which draws inspiration from the marque’s new design language, introduced by the third-generation Continental GT and all-new Flying Spur. Together, the three cars form a new family that are more visually connected than ever before. The bold styling offers an imposing road presence, with every panel at the front of the car redesigned for a cleaner, modern look.

The larger, assertive matrix grille is now more upright, while new, intelligent LED matrix headlamp technology includes the signature Bentley design inspired by cut crystal glassware. A more aggressive front bumper emphasizes the performance characteristics of the car. Heated, wet-arm windscreen wipers are introduced for the first time, with 22 washer jets in each arm.

At the rear, the new Bentayga has undergone a major transformation, with a total redesign of the rear surfaces including a new full-width tailgate with new encapsulated lamps, while the licence plate has been moved down into the bumper for a cleaner appearance. Wide, split tailpipes leave no doubt that this is a powerful performance car. A 20 mm increase to the rear track width brings dynamic benefit and repositions the wheels in their arches to improve the car’s stance. The wheels themselves are a new design, unique to Bentayga.

The Bentayga’s highly praised interior has been significantly revised in the latest model. Among the major changes are a new centre fascia and steering wheel, new door trims and all-new seats – now available with ventilation in the rear of the five-seat cabin option. Passengers in the rear also enjoy significantly more space, with legroom increased by up to 100 mm depending on configuration.

A next-generation infotainment system is integrated seamlessly into the handcrafted, Bentley ‘wing’ dashboard design and features a 10.9-inch display screen with edge-to-edge graphics. The all-new digital display includes super high-resolution and dynamic graphics which are configurable to suit driver preferences.

The latest hardware and software bring all-new navigation with satellite maps, online search and other features. Wireless Apple CarPlay is standard for the first time, alongside the existing wired system, along with Android Auto (market dependant). Rear seat occupants benefit from the introduction of a new, larger touchscreen remote control tablet, similar to that introduced in the all-new Flying Spur.

Connectivity around the car has been significantly improved, with USB-C data ports and a wireless phone charger now standard. New Bentayga is now provided with an embedded SIM, as with the latest Continental GT models, meaning My Bentley connected car features no longer require customers to provide their own data connection. My Bentley in-car and remote services is a continually developing range of services available to customers through a dedicated app, available both on Apple iOS and Android mobile platforms.

The luxurious interior can be further enhanced with the application of dark tint diamond brushed aluminium trim for the first time in a Bentley, as well as two straight-grained veneers new to Bentayga: Koa and Crown Cut Walnut. Mulliner Driving Specification adds a new quilting design, and micro piping detailing is a new option for the seats.

The new model will initially be launched in Bentayga V8 guise offering supercar performance balanced with everyday usability, with the plug-in Hybrid and W12-powered Speed versions to follow this year. The V8’s 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged petrol engine develops an impressive 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft (770 Nm) of torque.

Chris Cole, Product Line Director for Bentayga, comments:

“With new Bentayga, our objective was relatively straightforward – to take the best and make it even better. To do this, we listened closely to our existing Bentayga customers, then addressed their comments to ensure the new model offers an even more complete, all-round proposition.

“New Bentayga reflects the truly sophisticated qualities and design make-up of other members of the Bentley family, such as the new Continental GT and all-new Flying Spur. It was already the pinnacle of the luxury SUV sector but now we have taken it even higher.”

Bentley Bentayga – Defining The Luxury SUV Sector

The original Bentayga defined a new sector when it was introduced in November 2015. It set the benchmark as the world’s first true luxury SUV and offered customers a Grand Touring experience that was unrestricted by terrain.

At launch, the Bentayga was the fastest, most powerful and most exclusive SUV in the world. The result of a £840 million investment programme, it created 1,500 jobs in the United Kingdom and ensured Bentley was the first luxury brand to offer an SUV.

Designed with arguably the broadest remit in automotive history, Bentayga had to offer the performance of a supercar, the ride comfort of a limousine, a semi-autonomous driving capability, a range of powertrain options, and off-road ability to rival the very best premium SUVs – whilst retaining the craftsmanship, luxury and quality of a Bentley.

With class-leading performance from a range of petrol, diesel and hybrid engines, Bentayga has gone on to win a string of major international awards. It has been a stunning success for Bentley and in 2019 accounted for 45 per cent of the company’s global sales.

Since its original launch, the segment created by the Bentayga has welcomed a number of new models from rival brands. Yet despite the arrival of these newcomers, Bentayga has continued to be the best-selling luxury SUV.

Alongside its sales performance, the Bentayga has been driven on every terrain imaginable across the planet – racing kite surfers on Danish beaches, crossing inhospitable deserts in Chile and Bolivia, trekking across Iceland, dune surfing in the Middle East, and setting a new SUV record at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb. Special editions equipped for fly fishing, field sports and even falconry have been created and released, while Bentayga Speed remains the fastest SUV in the world with a top speed of 190 mph (305 km/h).

Bentley is now introducing the new Bentayga to reinforce its position as market leader. Close attention to feedback from original Bentayga owners – of which up to 70 percent were new to the brand – has prompted particular focus on the exterior presence, infotainment system and rear seat package, and the new model is set to raise the bar once again.

A New Exterior Design

The exterior design of the new Bentayga has been completely refreshed to create an even more stylish and purposeful car, showcasing Bentley’s new design language. Every panel at the front and rear of the car has been altered to give it a cleaner and more modern look – but with no change to the car’s coefficients of drag or lift.

JP Gregory, Head of Exterior Design at Bentley Motors, comments: “We spent a long time examining how to improve the proportions and character of the car. New Bentayga is still instantly recognisable as a Bentley but now has a much greater road presence.

“What we have achieved is a significant step forward. New Bentayga is a more self-confident looking SUV from whatever angle you look at the car. The prouder grill and higher, more focused elliptical headlights give a much more modern expression – a real statement of intent.”

A number of the intricate design details draw inspiration from the latest members of the Bentley family, including the third-generation Continental GT and the new Flying Spur limousine.

Key to these is the new matrix grille. Larger and more upright than before, it allows the Bentayga’s elegant bonnet to sweep down to the very edge of the chrome work. This gives the car a more dominant, upright profile and pushes the new LED matrix headlamps further apart, raising them 30 mm higher.

New elliptical headlamps are seen for the first time on a Bentley. They include the marque’s now-signature cut crystal design, which makes them appear to sparkle even when not lit. They now also illuminate with a contemporary wake-up sequence.

In profile, the muscularity of the design is clearly visible. A new, longer vent is positioned above the sculpted power line on the side of the front wing, while the lower door mouldings are also completely new, alongside discreet V8 badging.

A striking new 22-inch wheel design is available in two finishes, expanding the number of available wheel designs to five – all of which are unique to Bentley. The dynamic stance of the car has been improved by adjusting the lateral position of the wheels in the arches, reducing the horizontal space between surface of the wheel and the edge of the arch at all four corners.

Perhaps the most dramatic design changes have been reserved for the rear of the car, where the new Bentayga is radically different from its predecessor. In line with the Continental GT, it features elliptical tail lamps for the first time. The lattice pattern offers a unique jewellery-like appearance when illuminated, with a deep, three-dimensional glow. The lights also offer an animated ‘welcome’ feature with a sweeping direction indicator.

The lights feature within an all-new, full-width tailgate, resulting in a cleaner, more contemporary look. The licence plate has moved down into the bumper, allowing for prominent Bentley lettering above. Larger, oval-shaped split sport tailpipes echo the design of the rear lamps, while a new, longer roof spoiler gives new Bentayga a visually longer, more elegant profile and makes the whole car look more athletic.

Two new colours are also added to the already extensive Bentayga palette – Viridian, a dark shade of metallic green based on the colour of the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept car, and Patina – a luxury-focused mid-tone off-white.

The dynamic new looks are further accentuated with a breadth of individualisation possibilities, including the contemporary urban appeal of the Blackline Specification that replaces all exterior chrome with black versions.

A Unique Cabin Reimagined

The Bentayga’s fine handcrafted cabin has been reimagined for the new model. Already universally acclaimed as the benchmark for luxury SUV interiors, new Bentayga now contains a modernised, unparalleled combination of luxury materials and exquisite, intricate craftsmanship.

Bentley designers have created an even more relaxing environment for passengers, wherever they travel. Among the major changes to Bentayga’s more contemporary interior are new door trims and steering wheel, plus a redesigned centre fascia and digital instrumentation cluster. These are complemented by new seats that further improve on the industry-recognised benchmark for seat comfort.

Darren Day, Head of Interior Design at Bentley Motors, said: “The interior of Bentayga has always been highly admired for its exceptional build quality, relaxing atmosphere and luxurious ambience.

“Alongside from the more obvious changes to the centre console, seats and door trims, it’s the little features customers may not notice at first that add up to make the difference in new Bentayga. It might be the new, horizontal grab handle in the door, or the unique seat stitching – each one emphasising how the design team has gone the extra mile. New Bentayga will be a voyage of discovery for our customers.”

A new centre fascia houses the latest-generation infotainment screen, enhancing the visual appeal and practicality of the class-leading Bentayga and sat within the famed Bentley ‘wings’ design ethos across the dashboard.

The central pair of traditional ‘bullseye’ centre vents have been replaced by a sculptured single vent with a flowing chrome bezel, that sits above the main infotainment screen and integrates the Breitling clock into its form. A long pocket along the side of the centre console carries smaller items, such as a mobile phone, while a wireless inductive phone charger with signal booster is situated directly in front of the gear lever.

Three versatile seating configurations are available in new Bentayga. Apart from the standard five-seat, an optional four-seat layout features two individual rear seats separated by a centre console. A three-row, seven-seat configuration offers the ultimate in practicality and flexibility.

The five-seat Bentayga benefits from an all-new seat frame, which doubles the travel of the rear-seat recline angle. All the seats now have a more sculpted shape, especially around the shoulder area. New foam and cover designs are standard, while Contrast Stitching and Hand Cross Stitching deliver extra design detail. Seat micro piping is also available for the first time on Bentayga. The five-seat configuration now also has the option of rear-seat ventilation, previously available only on the four-seat cabin.

The four-seat Bentayga benefits from a 30 mm increase in knee room in the upright seated position, with an improvement of almost 100 mm in the reclined position, helping to make luxury travel even more comfortable.

A new quilting design is included in Mulliner Driving Specification cars, while customers can choose from eight sustainably-sourced veneers including two straight grained options new to Bentayga – Koa and Crown Cut Walnut.

Unique to new Bentayga, a stunning, dark tint diamond brushed aluminium finish trim is available as an option in a Bentley for the first time. Evoking the Bentley matrix grille design, this exquisite finish is produced via an intricate process of brushing the aluminium precisely, from multiple directions, to achieve a contemporary three-dimensional effect.

Cutting-edge Infotainment

Setting new standards in the sector for customer technology interfaces, the new Bentayga introduces a new, cutting-edge infotainment system. A bigger and brighter, high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen, with an anti-reflection and anti-glare coating and much improved touch functionality, now spans the entire width of the centre fascia for a more contemporary look.

Content in the primary window can be selected either via hard keys beneath the screen, or from the main menu screen. A customisable dashboard can also be set up to show three favourites, such as phone, navigation or media.

The advanced navigation system features free text, context-specific search entry, including an address or point of interest. Navigation is improved with a three-dimensional building display, satellite maps, content in the driver’s next generation Head-Up Display and several other useful features. The Head-Up Display can now project traffic information, street and names and distance to destination too.

As well as the usual array of media sources, wireless Apple CarPlay is now standard in the new Bentayga (in addition to the previous standard wired system), along with Android Auto for the first time in a Bentley. With a corresponding phone plugged in to one of the car’s USB-C sockets, the central infotainment screen mirrors the smartphone display.

The new Bentayga now has a fully digital driver’s information panel similar to the Continental GT and new Flying Spur. The display brings a contemporary look to the cockpit, can be customised to the driver’s requirements and features real-time lighting effects with elegant animations.

The high-resolution screen can be viewed in either Classic or Expanded format. In Classic, the display shows the traditional two-dial design of speedometer and tachometer. In Expanded, the right dial is replaced with an area for maps and media information.

The latest release of the My Bentley in-car and remote connected car services are available through the New Bentayga. In-car services now being delivered through an embedded SIM, as with the latest Continental GT, meaning online services no longer require a data connection from a customer’s mobile device.

Essential features including real time traffic information and over-the-air map updates will be available to all customers in Bentley connected car markets. New connected features such as online music, green traffic light prediction, and local hazard information will become available depending on market.

Remote services – subject to regional availability – are accessible through the My Bentley app and are further improved, including the technology levels and range of features our customers now come to expect – from ‘find my car’ and ‘lock my car’, through to car status and statistics – including integration with other functions such as the park heater where fitted.

Luxuriously Equipped

New Bentayga is characterised by the introduction of a wealth of new, innovative and technologically advanced features that take the onboard experience to a higher level.

Two levels of audio system are offered in new Bentayga. The Bentley Signature Audio is now fitted as standard, offering exceptional quality by delivering 590 W of power through 12 speakers. The optional Naim for Bentley system delivers 1,780 W of power via no less than 20 speakers including active bass speakers under both front seats, with super-tweeters located in each A and B-pillar for higher frequencies. Unmatched in the automotive sector, Naim for Bentley audio also offers eight listening modes, ranging from Digital Media to Classic. The Naim for Bentley speaker grilles are redesigned and now include an illuminated Naim badge.

Onboard air ionisers emit negatively charged particles from the central air conditioning vents, enhancing cabin air purity and customer wellness. These create a static charge around pollutants such as dust or allergens in the air, which in turn cause them to stick to the nearest surface.  The result is to remove such contaminants from the air that the customer breathes.

Rear seat passengers in the new Bentayga enjoy a technology upgrade with a new, larger Touch Screen Remote control tablet, similar to that introduced in the all-new Flying Spur. The five-inch display shows more contemporary graphics and has extra processing power through an onboard quad-core processor and 1 GB of RAM. The unit can control a range of functions, from rear seat heating and massage, to the media system and navigation, to mood lighting and window blinds.

New Bentayga has a full suite of driver assistance systems and the very latest headlamp technology. This includes three automatic modes for low beam and a matrix system, which allows the customer to drive continuously on high beam without blinding other road users.

Each matrix headlamp contains 82 powerful LEDs to improve functionality and road safety. They ingeniously allow the pool of light to be continuously shaped by automatically switching off certain LEDs to ‘box out’ other road users.

The three adaptive headlamp settings include Town mode, which operates below 30 mph and projects a short but wide beam, making it perfect for urban areas. Country mode is for travel between 30 and 60 mph and lifts the beam to a narrower field of light. Motorway mode further lifts the beam and intensifies the light to improve visibility.

Visibility and convenience are further aided by new wet arm windscreen wipers, which include an array of 22 heated washer jets in each arm. The system means no distracting spray and dramatically improves the cleaning of the glass.

New Bentayga continues to offer all the key features that made the original model such a hit, ranging from the practicality of a hands-free powered tailgate and refrigerated bottle cooler, to the safety-focused City Specification Pack and rear view camera.

Performance & Efficiency

New Bentayga is powered by Bentley’s proven 4.0-litre, 32-valve dual twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine, which combines immense power with impressive fuel economy. Mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, the V8 offers supercar performance, developing 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft (770 Nm) of torque, resulting in a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds (100 km/h in 4.5 seconds).

The class-leading performance of the new Bentayga V8 is complemented by a range of 397 miles (639 km), with CO2 emissions of 302 g/km. This refined efficiency (21.2 mpg / 13.3 l/100 km combined) is partly due to the ability of the engine to de-activate four of its eight cylinders in suitable conditions, without compromising the drive.

Bentley Dynamic Ride – the world’s first electric active roll control technology – has been further enhanced in new Bentayga by a 20 mm track increase at the rear, reducing steering effort and improving response linearity.  Bentley Dynamic Ride instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, comfort and handling.

New Bentayga offers the widest range of on and off-road drive settings of any SUV courtesy of Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Mode and the optional All-Terrain Specification. Up to eight modes – four on and four off-road – are available, allowing drivers to select the perfect dynamic set-up for any surface or road condition at the turn of a dial.

Later, new Bentayga will be offered as an efficient Hybrid, the luxury sector’s first true plug-in hybrid. Benefiting from its introduction in the previous generation model, the Hybrid will be Bentley’s most efficient model ever and is the company’s first step towards electrification.

There will also be a performance-focused Speed model, with even more purposeful styling. The Speed is the pinnacle of the Bentayga range and will be powered by Bentley’s renowned 6.0-litre W12 TSI engine.

For further details and ordering information, please contact your Bentley specialist at Bentley of Houston.

New Bentayga Exterior
1:8 scale replica of a Rolls-Royce Cullinan

Sir Henry Royce once said, “Small things make perfection, but perfection is no small thing.”

It is in this vein that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars presents to its clients, perfect scale models of Cullinan, the marque’s stellar SUV.

As daily driving pleasures have been curtailed due to the Covid-19 pandemic, some other of life’s little luxuries have come to the fore. An authentic 1:8 scale replica of a full-sized Cullinan, in which every detail is reproduced with absolute perfection, can now be enjoyed by clients around the world, in the comfort of their own home.

Far more than a mere model, each miniature Cullinan is individually and painstakingly crafted by hand, to the client’s specification, from over 1,000 individual components. This process can take up to 450 hours – over half of the time required to build a full-sized Cullinan at the Home of Rolls-Royce in Goodwood, West Sussex.

The replica is hand-painted using Rolls-Royce colour-matched paint, then hand-polished to the marque’s exacting specification; the coachline is even applied using a fine brush, just as it is on the original. Clients may choose from a palette of around 40,000 ‘standard’ colours, or replicate their own personal Bespoke finish. The fully-functioning exterior lights are operated by a Cullinan-branded remote control; under the bonnet is a perfect likeness of the ‎iconic 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine.

On opening the coach doors, illuminated treadplates are revealed, leading to an interior designed and executed with the materials, skill and attention to detail lavished on Cullinan itself. From the headrest embroidery and wood finishes to seat piping and stitching, these Bespoke creations allow clients to recreate their full-size vehicle with astonishing accuracy, or even envision future Cullinans to add to their collection.

Presented in a display case at almost a metre in length, the replica is set on a gloss-black base mounted on a plinth allowing it to be appreciated from all angles. The Perspex window can be removed enabling the minutiae of the doors, luggage compartment and engine bay to be viewed in detail.

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, “This scale replica brings a new dimension to Cullinan’s Effortless, Everywhere philosophy. Our super-luxury SUV is now as perfectly at ease in the serene surroundings of its owner’s residence as it is in the most challenging and hostile terrain on Earth.” He continued, “It demonstrates, and reminds us as a company, that Inspiring Greatness applies at every scale. It is not just about the big things: we seek and achieve greatness in everything we do, down to the smallest item and minutest detail.”