What's all this about?

Bentley has announced the plug-in hybrid version of its Bentayga SUV is now available in S and Azure specifications, the former emphasising the sportier side of the Bentayga’s character and the latter its more luxurious and laid-back aspect. Azure and S specs were already found across much of the Bentley range and were already an option on the V8 versions of the Bentayga.

Remind me, what's powering the Bentayga Hybrid?

That’s a 3.0-litre twin-turbo V6 allied to a 100kW electric motor which gives the hybrid Bentayga an output of 462hp and, thanks to an 18kWh battery, an electric-only range of around 27 miles.

So what about the new variants?

First up is the Bentayga S. It looks sportier than a standard Bentayga thanks to the fact that it comes as standard in Blackline trim which substitutes all the external brightwork (apart from the winged Bentley badge) for black alternatives. That includes the side sills, door mirrors, radiator grille and surround and the front bumper as well as adding a dark tint to the headlamps. At the rear, there’s a tailgate spoiler like that found on Bentayga Speed models, with a dark tint to the rear lights and black split-oval tailpipes. The 22-inch wheels are finished in silver or black and contrast with the red brake calipers. The interior features strong use of Dinamica, a synthetic Alcantara-like material. Fluted seating and “S” badging on the fascia, illuminated treadplates and headrest also help set the S apart from the Azure.

Any mechanical changes?

Not many. Damping is increased by 15 per cent, which should make the Bentayga S a bit stiffer, and the exhaust is specially tuned to pipe more engine noise into the cabin. There’s now the addition of Sport mode too to sharpen up the driving experience better adapt the Bentayga S for a more spirited run.

What about the Azure?

If the Bentayga S is about dynamism and aggression, the Azure is all about relaxation and wellbeing. Bentley says that research has shown that people regularly exposed to traffic noise of more than 70 decibels were at 65 per cent more risk of depression than those who weren’t. As such, the emphasis with the Azure has been on reducing noise, vibration and harshness, so the damping isn’t as stiff as in the Bentayga S and the exhaust noise has been toned way down too. The materials such as the leathers and wood veneers are supposedly created with “wellness” in mind (whatever that means) and, setting the Azure apart from the Bentayga S inside is the Azure emblem on the fascia, illuminated treadplates and seat embroidery.

Anything outside?

Just a few things. In contrast to the Bentayga S, there’s more in the way of brightwork, with chrome lower bumper grilles, Azure badging, 22-inch ten-spoke wheels and a jewelled fuel filler cap. Mechanically, the Azure is broadly the same as the Bentayga S with similar performance figures all round.

David Mullen - 30 Sep 2022