What's the news?
A diesel Bentley has finally been revealed. About time too, as Bentley hung on longer than most, but even the super rich can't be bothered stopping for fuel, and the triple charged V8 turbodiesel engine promises significantly enhanced range - up to 1,000km, assuming you're not in too much of a hurry. That engine will debut under the bonnet of the Bentayga SUV for now, but don't be surprised if it's adopted more broadly across the range in time.
A big, torque-rich diesel engine in a Bentley makes a lot of sense. Bentleys are about masses of effortless power and torque, and this engine delivers exactly that. It's a 4.0-litre V8, with a pair of variable geometry, twin-scroll sequential turbochargers. The clever bit is the addition of an electric turbocharger that fills in the gaps, adding to response and allowing its peak torque of 900Nm to arrive a just 1,000rpm. That, allied to the 435hp it's producing, allows the Bentayga to sprint to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds from rest - pipping even the Audi SQ7 (which it pinches its engine from) by 0.1 seconds.
Bentley is claiming it's the fastest diesel SUV you can buy too, as its top speed is rated at 270km/h. That's undeniably fast, but more significantly Bentley says it'll get you from London to Verbier in Switzerland without stopping, if you want. The snow in Verbier might hang about a bit longer too, thanks to the Bentayga Diesel emitting the lowest CO2 of any Bentley. The quoted output is just 210g/km, a good 86g/km lower than its W12 relation, meaning merely Band F taxation in Ireland.
You'll take 0.8 seconds longer to reach 100km/h than that W12 Bentayga, but when you're sat inside its opulent wood, leather and chrome adorned cabin you'll not care one bit. Bentley is certain to have silenced any diesel rattles and dampened any nasty derv vibrations to make sure nobody knows what's powering it.
Anything else?
Outwardly, the only way people will know your Bentayga is diesel powered is by seeing the 'V8 Diesel' badge on the lower front door edge, complemented by a black matrix grille with chrome surround, though we're sure if sir or madam wanted it without those, Bentley would be only too happy to oblige.
No word on pricing as yet, but we do expect the Bentley Bentayga Diesel to debut at the Paris Motor Show.