BENTLEY has revealed details of the first diesel model in the iconic brand’s history – and the 168mph Bentley Bentayga launches as the world’s fastest diesel SUV.

At the heart of the world’s fastest and most powerful luxury diesel SUV is an all-new, technologically advanced, triple-charged, 4.0-litre, 32-valve V8 engine.

Developing 435PS and 900Nm of torque, the Bentayga Diesel hits a top speed of 168mph and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 4.6 seconds. Yet with low CO2 at just 210g/km, it should also be a much more attractive business proposition.

Certainly at £135,800 it is just under £27,000 less than the W12 petrol-fuelled 187mph version that cracks 0-62mph in 4.0sec, but while that returns a reported 21.6mpg combined economy, the diesel claims 35.8mpg.

Bentley’s Crewe-based engineers have developed a V8 powertrain to deliver an authentic Bentley driving experience. Peak torque is available from just 1,000 rpm, which makes progress in the Bentayga Diesel truly effortless.

New clean technology gives the Bentayga Diesel the lowest CO2 emissions of any Bentley, as well as a range of over 1,000 km (621 miles) – allowing owners to, for example, drive from London to Verbier, Bordeaux, or the Scottish Highlands on a single tank.

Inside, the Bentayga Diesel retains the innovative features, advanced technologies and handcrafted luxury for which the Bentley Bentayga is renowned.

Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: “The Bentayga Diesel represents a moment of immense significance in Bentley’s history, by giving the world its fastest luxury diesel SUV. Immense power, grand touring capabilities and superb refinement – this is a true Bentley. Only Bentley could produce a car so powerful, yet so refined.”

The Bentayga Diesel retains the dynamic performance of the Bentayga W12, while introducing clean technologies and enhanced range.

The next-generation 4.0-litre V8 engine, mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, has variable-geometry, sequential twin-scroll turbochargers powered by the exhaust gases, while a third electric supercharger – powered by Bentley’s innovative 48 Volt system – spools up within 30 microseconds to eliminate turbo lag.

The effect is effortless, seamless power delivery across the entire engine-speed range – the quintessential Bentley driving experience.

The immense 900Nm peak torque available from just 1,000 rpm promises both seamless on-road performance and exemplary off-roading ability. The immediate flow of power complements the traditional, class-leading refinement and performance customers have come to expect.

The new model has also been made with a number of specific developments to provide peerless refinement. For example, the bespoke exhaust system has been acoustically engineered to be as quiet and refined as possible.

The addition of Selective Catalytic Reduction contributes to lower nitrous oxides. Combined with Bentley’s stop-start system; class-leading CO2 emissions of 210 g/km; and an impressive range of over 1,000 km between fuel stops, this technology puts the Bentayga Diesel at the forefront of advanced engine efficiency.

The Bentayga Diesel demonstrates the same authentic and modern British luxury design as its W12-powered stablemate, while also benefiting from a number of unique styling additions.

A V8 Diesel badge is embedded on the lower front door edge, complemented by a new Bentley ‘twin-quad’ exhaust tailpipe design, which provide a further subtle reminder of the new engine specification.

Further distinctive external styling cues include a bold, black matrix grille with chrome surround and central bar, which serves as a signature for the powertrain that lies behind.

A new optional Mulliner Driving Specification 21-inch wheel – available in a silver or grey painted finish (the latter with machined accents to the spoke and rim) – can be specified, with a 20-inch ten-spoke alloy wheel offered as standard.

The Bentayga’s cockpit sets new standards for both luxury and precision, with meticulous tolerances between the exquisite veneered woods and metal elements.

The hand-selected veneers – including a new Liquid Amber finish introduced with Bentayga Diesel – form pure and elegant surfaces throughout the cabin. Each of the 15 pieces are shaped by Bentley’s artisans and finished with trademark Bentley attention to detail.

As with all Bentleys, the Bentayga Diesel can be handed over to the highly skilled craftspeople at Mulliner, Bentley’s bespoke coachbuilding department, who will respond to individual customer requirements.

The Bentayga is available with an exquisite integrated Mulliner Hamper Set, complete with refrigerator, bespoke fine Linley china cutlery, crockery and crystal glass, and storage area for dry goods. For comfort in the great outdoors, sections of the hamper can be removed and used as seats.

A bespoke mechanical Mulliner Tourbillon by Breitling clock can also be specified. The most complex of watch mechanisms, the Mulliner Tourbillon is automatically wound periodically by a dedicated high-precision winding mechanism within the car.

This masterpiece is machined in solid gold (customers can select from either rose or white gold), with a choice of either a mother-of-pearl or black ebony face and decorated with eight diamond indexes.

168mph Bentley Bentayga: Developed across five continents

The development programme for the Bentayga has been the most exhaustive in the Bentley brand’s history, ranging across five continents. From the dirt and gravel of South Africa and the dunes of Dubai, to the muddy fields of Cheshire, and from -30°C in the frozen North Cape to searing 50°C desert heat, the Bentayga’s ability to perform on any surface and even in the most extreme conditions has been proven.

The Bentayga Diesel can be specified with Bentley Dynamic Ride – the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilises an unrivalled 48V system. , this system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces Inherent in larger vehicles with a higher centre of gravity when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling.

Bentley’s adaptive and reactive system provides variable torsional resistance, allowing the Bentayga to be both dynamically capable and comfortable for all occupants at all times. The pioneering use of a 48V system – which on Bentayga Diesel utilises a new lithium-ion battery system to offer even greater reserves of power – results in silent, instantaneous responses to deal with all road surfaces.

Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS) is also featured on the Bentayga. The new system improves feedback to the driver, while providing isolation from steering kick-back both on- and off-road. EPAS also features a variable rack ratio, permitting light and fast steering while manoeuvring at low speeds, as well as a more subdued response for excellent stability at high speeds.

The Bentayga Diesel offers class-leading ride comfort, steering feel and handling thanks to the partnership of a highly sophisticated chassis and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). In addition to advanced, multi-mode Traction Control (TCS), the Bentayga also features Hill Descent Control.

Hill Descent Control automatically regulates the vehicle’s speed on steep declines, allowing the driver to concentrate fully on steering and obstacles ahead. It can be pre-set at speeds between two and 30 km/h (going in either direction) and works on gradients greater than five per cent.

As with all Bentleys, the Bentayga Diesel comes with multi-mode air suspension. The driver has four different modes to choose from: High 2, High 1, Normal and Low. High 2, for example, can be manually selected when tackling more severe off-road surfaces. Customers can also lower the rear suspension via a switch in the boot, to ease loading and trailer hitching.

Advanced driver assistance technologies

A suite of state-of-the-art driver assistance systems and infotainment features designed to enhance safety, comfort and convenience make the Bentayga Diesel an innovative, advanced and connected luxury SUV.

It offers the widest range of on- and off-road drive settings of any vehicle via Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Mode and optional Responsive Off-Road Settings. Up to eight modes are available, allowing drivers, at the simple turn of a dial, to select the perfect dynamic set-up for any surface or road condition.

This versatility is complemented by Bentley Dynamic Ride (electrically activated 48V active roll control) and Electric Power-Assisted Steering (EPAS).

Responsive Off-Road Settings allows the customer to select the appropriate vehicle settings for a wide range of off-road surfaces, while the Driver Information Panel displays information on pitch, roll, wheel articulation, steering angle, compass bearing and altitude.

Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) including Stop & Go, Predictive ACC and Traffic Assist enables the driver to maintain a set distance to the vehicle in front. Predictive ACC uses the navigation data, sensors and cameras to predict upcoming corners, city boundaries and speed-limit changes and can then modify the vehicle speed accordingly, improving both comfort and fuel economy.

In urban environments, there are a number of driver aids available on the Bentayga Diesel. These systems – such as Traffic Sign Recognition, which detects a wide variety of traffic signs and displays information to the driver; Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, which uses radar technology to detect crossing traffic when reversing out of a parking space; and Top View, a system which uses four cameras to display an overall picture of the vehicle’s surroundings – combine to enhance everyday usability.

Park Assist is also available – a system that detects suitable parking spaces (both parallel and perpendicular) before autonomous steering takes over to support parking manoeuvres, even in narrow and tricky spaces.

Other innovative systems available include Electronic Night Vision, which uses infra-red technology to identify potential obstacles ahead, and a Head-Up Display, which reduces driver distraction and increases safety.

The Bentayga’s eight-inch touch screen infotainment system boasts class-leading navigation technology, a 60GB hard drive, and a choice of up to 30 languages.

Rear seat passengers benefit from the introduction of the Bentley Entertainment Tablet – a removable 10.2-inch Android device with 4G, WiFi and Bluetooth for effortless, high-speed on-board connectivity.

Customers can choose between three different sound systems for the Bentayga Diesel: Bentley Standard Audio, Bentley Signature Audio and Naim for Bentley Premium Audio. The latter is the most powerful system in the segment, with 1,950 watts, a network of 18 speakers and super-tweeters for unrivalled recreation of the highest audio frequencies.

Customer deliveries will begin in Europe early next year, with entry into Russia, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand and Taiwan planned across the rest of 2017.