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2019 Bentley Bentayga V8 First Drive Review | Losing cylinders but not much else

There's no such thing as a cheap Bentley. Even though the new-for-2019 Bentayga V8 is $30,000 less expensive than its W12-powered sibling, the twin-turbo V8's $165,000 window sticker still puts it well into the upper echelon of pricey luxury vehicles. Bentley is loathe to compare the two versions of the Bentayga — what parent wants to pit siblings against one another? — but does frame the V8 edition as a somewhat sportier alternative to the full-bore, glitz and glamor W12. Let's examine that line of reasoning. Under the hood of the Bentayga V8 is a 4.0-liter turbocharged engine that shares most of its bits with the latest Porsche Panamera and Cayenne Turbo. The engine is specifically tuned for use in this new application, with a unique sound signature and a cooling package that Bentley says will keep it running comfortably even in the face of the largest desert sand dunes in the world. The V8's peak of 568 pound-feet of torque hits below 2,000 rpm and stays exactly there until 4,500, with a horsepower peak of 542 at 6,000. From behind the wheel, the Bentayga's V8 engine feels a bit higher strung than the effortless W12. Instead of instant torque, there's a strong rush of power that builds nicely until it nears its 7,000-rpm redline, the highest rev limit of any engine the brand has ever installed in a passenger vehicle. If such a peaky-sounding engine seems incongruous with the intent of a luxury SUV, just know that there's plenty of stonk available any time the driver decides to push a red-bottomed Louboutin into the plush carpet. It's just a little less than what'd be on call from the W12, but there's not enough of a discrepancy to really matter. The V8 is a bit less sprightly to 60 than the W12 — 4.4 seconds versus 4.1 — and, with its 180-mile-per-hour top speed, it's a meaningless 7 mph slower at the top end, too. So, that doesn't really support the idea of sportiness. Neither too does the V8 handle any differently than the W12. There's only about a hundred pounds separating the two vehicles, with the new V8 edition weighing in at 5,264 pounds. And since only half of that weight savings is centered over the front axle, there isn't any real change to the Bentayga's driving dynamics or steering feel. That's not to say the Bentley Bentayga V8 doesn't drive well, it just doesn't drive differently than its more powerful, more expensive sibling.

Finally, a Bentley Bentayga just for falconers

Bentley is a company that knows what its customers want. For a price, they will turn a customer's desires into a six-figure rolling testament to wealth and excess. Mulliner, Bentley's in-house coachbuilding division, will adapt and modify their products for any taste or hobby. If fly fishing is your thing, Bentley and Mulliner have you covered. If falconry is more up your alley - it is the sport of kings - Bentley has you covered there too. The new Bentley Bentayga Falconry by Mulliner is the perfect vehicle for any well-to-do falcon enthusiast. Not only does it have plenty of accessories and storage specifically tailored for falconers, the dash contains a beautiful, 430-piece wood inlay that displays a saker falcon soaring far above the desert. The scene took nine days to craft, undergoing cutting, sand shading, pressing, and double cutting. A wide variety of woods are used, including chestnut, eucalyptus pommele, holly, lacewood, maple, olive ash, and ripple sycamore. Up front, the Bentayga is fitted with a cork perch on the center console, flanked by the front seats. The hatch contains the real prize. Two cork chests - a flight station and a refreshment case - are fitted perfectly in the Bentayga's hatch. The pair sit on a movable tray for easier access. The flight station has a piano black veneer drawer that holds accessories like a GPS bird tracking unit, binoculars, and handcrafted leather bird hoods and gauntlets. These of course can be had as an additional option. Two additional perches are stored out back. With the hatch lifted, falcons can be prepared out back in the shade. All of this can be had for a price that's most likely far more than you probably think it is. Bentley isn't releasing numbers, but if you're buying a bespoke Bentayga, the cost is simply just another number. Related Video: Featured Gallery Bentley Bentayga Falconer View 37 Photos News Source: Bentley Design/Style Bentley SUV Luxury bentley bentayga

Bentley already considering smaller crossover

Bentley has yet to reveal (let alone start selling) its upcoming new SUV, but the company is already reported to be considering a smaller model to follow in that new model's footsteps. This according to Autocar, in speaking with Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer at the announcement of the company's record sales results for 2014. Prior to originally taking the helm at Bentley and Bugatti, Durheimer served as head of R&D at Porsche, which recently launched the Macan crossover to join the larger Cayenne. Tipped to be called the Bentayga, the forthcoming Bentley crossover will share its platform with the next generation of its sister company's crossover, whose success Bentley aims to emulate. The Bentayga (or whatever it's ultimately called) will be vital in helping Bentley achieve its sales target of 20,000 units per year by 2020. The storied British marque topped 11,000 units for the first time in 2014, and the new SUV will be a vital component in boosting those figures. Bentley says it has already received 4,000 "expressions of interest" for the crossover before it's even unveiled, suggesting that it could exceed earlier sales projections of 3,000 units per year. But even then, the big crossover wouldn't be enough to get Bentley to its target. That's why it's already considering the smaller crossover, among other options including a four-door coupe, a two-door sports car and a Mulsanne-based convertible. The company is also investing heavily in infrastructure and production capacity to ensure its supply can meet the demand it is working to build up.