Bentley shows with the Bentayga X Concept that it can also be an adventure off-roader

Many brands, including luxury ones, are convinced their SUVs have broad off-road capabilities to tackle tricky terrain, and a clear and recent example is the Porsche Cayenne, with first-generation units now highly sought after for 4×4 builds and taken into places their original owners probably never imagined. Bentley is also one of these brands, convinced that its Bentayga is also a good off-roader, and it has not hesitated to prove it.

To do so, what better than heading to one of the winter events that attract more and more enthusiasts each year: the FAT Ice Race. This event was born from the now-defunct courier company F.A.T. International, whose founder was a passionate racing enthusiast who sponsored cars and teams to promote its express parcel division: F.A. Turbo Express, a brand that reached the top of the overall standings at the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans with the Dauer 962 LM. The company ceased operations, and Ferdi Porsche, a member of the Porsche-Piëch family, relaunched it to produce clothing and develop motorsport events such as the FAT Karting League, the FAT Mankei and the FAT Ice Race that concerns us today.

There, Bentley was present showing the attendees models such as the newly unveiled Continental GT S and Continental GTC S, or various special series of the Bentayga Speed, along with the most eye-catching of all, the Bentayga X Concept, a prototype that the brand created not only to show the off-road capabilities of the Bentayga with a few modifications but also to gather as many opinions as possible about a Bentayga with enhanced off-road capabilities. It will be hard to see a Bentayga give up part of its luxury to become a more conventional off-roader, although dreaming is free.

To create this Bentayga X Concept, the brand used the Speed version as its base, which means that under its bonnet the spectacular 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 still resides, producing 650 CV and a huge torque of 850 Nm delivered between 2,250 and 4,500 rpm, sent to all four wheels through the intelligent all-wheel-drive system and the eight-speed automatic gearbox. Equipped with air suspension, the Bentayga X Concept also benefits from Bentley Dynamic Ride, an electric 48 V active anti-roll control system developed by Bentley.

This heart is wrapped in a look that differs from what the Bentayga Speed offers, because the Bentayga X Concept is designed for rough terrain and to get through it, so with these possibilities in mind its track width is increased by 120 mm to improve stability, while the ground clearance is now 55 mm higher, also maximising suspension travel, and finally with wheel arches 40 mm wider that conceal 22-inch forged wheels made by Brixton. These changes mean the Bentayga X Concept certifies a wading depth of more than 550 mm and a ground clearance of just under 310 mm.

Not stopping at the numbers, Bentley has also given the Bentayga X Concept a more off-road look by equipping it with a roof rack capable of carrying up to a kart like the ones used in the FAT Karting League, thus demonstrating how cargo capacity can be considerably increased, to which are added the four huge auxiliary lights. It also features towing eyelets for when they are needed, and a sporty touch with the titanium sport exhaust signed by Akrapovič.

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverBentley Bentayga12 versions · from 216,580 €