RALEIGH, NC — Bentley’s first SUV — named for a rugged peak in the Canary Islands — goes on sale early next year.
The photos and specs of the new vehicle — called the Bentayga — were announced on Wednesday.
It has an aluminum body and a frame of aluminum and high-strength steel, a Bentley first.
It’s powered by a 12-cylinder engine, which Bentley says will make it the fastest production SUV in the world with a top speed of 187 mph.
The time of 0 to 6 mph is just 4 seconds, according to the car maker’s website.
The miles per gallon in the city is estimated to only be around 14 mph, according to Bentley.
But, highway mileage is much better at around 31 mpg thanks to the help of an 8-speed automatic transmission, the company says.
The looks of the SUV are controversial, with some car reviewers saying it is attractive, while others say the SUV with “a grille-heavy nose” is just plain ugly.
C|Net’s review of the Bentley says it has a “massive presence” and is “monument to opulence.”
Meanwhile, Car and Driver said that Bentley’s claim to now have the fastest SUV is “ridiculous.”
The interior can be configured to seat four or five people.
Pricing hasn’t been announced, but it’s likely to be around $200,000.
That is much higher than the pricing of the $138,000 Range Rover Autobiography.
— The Associated Press contributed to this report
