Detroit show: Bentley adds Porsche V8 to Bentayga

UPDATED: 17/01/2018

BENTLEY has revealed the third variant in its Bentayga range at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit this week with the V8 version featuring a bahn-storming Porsche-developed powerplant.

Speaking to GoAuto, Bentley Motors retail marketing manager of Australia NZ Emma Ireland confirmed that local deliveries of the Bentayga V8 will commence in June with it priced from $334,700 before on-road costs.

This means the V8 undercuts the previously entry-level Diesel ($335,000) in price by just $300 and is significantly cheaper than the flagship W12 ($427,300).

Shared with the upcoming Cayenne Turbo and current Panamera Turbo, the latest Bentayga's 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine punches out 404kW of power at 6000rpm and 770Nm of torque from 1960 to 4500rpm.

These outputs are sent to the ground via a rear-biased (40:60) permanent all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission.

The net result is a zero-to-100km/h acceleration time of 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 290km/h.

Comparatively, the existing 320kW/900Nm Diesel is 0.3s slower to triple figures and tops out 20km/h behind the pace, while the 447kW/900Nm W12 flagship is 0.4s quicker than the V8 version to 100km/h and has a terminal velocity of 301km/h.

Claimed fuel consumption on the combined cycle test is 11.4 litres per 100 kilometres for the V8, while its carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have been tested at 260 grams per km, with both figures aided by cylinder deactivation.

Meanwhile, the efficient Diesel has marks of 7.9L/100km and 210g/km, while the thirstier W12 checks in at 12.8L/100km and 292g/km.

Eight-shaped quad exhaust pipes and a trademark burble signal the bent-eight powerplant sitting under the bonnet of the V8, which is otherwise almost indistinguishable from its siblings.

Minor changes include a black and chrome front grille, and standard Tornado Red brake callipers, as well as optional black 22-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels.

While only an option, the V8 claims to offer the world's largest front braking system for a production car, consisting of 440mm carbon-ceramic discs clamped by Bentley-branded 10-piston stoppers, as well as 370mm rotors at the rear.

Three new interior options are available with the V8, including high-gloss carbon-fibre trim, a wood and hide three-spoke steering wheel, and Cricket Ball red leather upholstery. Four-, five- and seven-seat configurations are also offered.

As per the other Bentayga variants, the V8 is available with Bentley Dynamic Ride, Drive Dynamics Mode, All-Terrain Specification, a multi-mode air suspension, adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, traffic sign recognition, a 360-degree camera, park assist, night vision and a 1950W 18-speaker Naim sound system.

As previously reported by GoAuto, Bentley is preparing to further expand the Bentayga range with its first-ever plug-in hybrid petrol-electric powertrain later this year, while an all-electric version is also in the pipeline.

Bentayga sales were impressive in the model's first full year on the market, with 84 examples sold to the end of 2017, representing a 52.7 per cent lift over the 55 units moved in a shorter 2016 period.

Significantly, the Bentayga was largely responsible for increasing Bentley's overall annual sales volume by 15.3 per cent year-on-year in 2017, mainly owing to the Diesel variant that launched in March.