For the luxury off-roader that already has everything, Bentley have added quite a lot more. Like giving a spoilt child an entire sweet shop, the engineers at Crewe have conferred with motorsport experience specialists FAT International, to transform the already super fast and super capable Bentayga Speed into the beast that you see here: the Bentley Bentayga X Concept, equipped with everything that you need to go as far off road – or on ice – as you please, with an added go-kart on the roof for good measure.
Idea, say Bentley, is to foreground what the Bentayga is capable of, beyond its more usual urban habitat navigating speed bumps and the rigors of city traffic while cocooning occupants in traditional Bentley luxury with hand-stitched diamond patterned leather seating. In particular, as Bentley puts it: the "breadth of abilities, offering incredible performance, luxurious comfort and refinement, and off-road capability” that the Bentayga has at its disposal. But that’s just the start.
Launch was at FAT International’s annual Ice Race in Austria and the Concept X was all dressed up and ready to go. Nifty all white alloys are bespoke forged 22-inch items by Brixton Forged Wheels of Los Angeles, equipped with off-road tyres. Speed variant is already all wheel drive and boasts a four litre twin turbo V8 punching out 640 bhp and good for a modest 193 mph. Add to that an increased ride height for navigating tricky slopes - and possibly icebergs - as well as an increased wading depth of up to 21 inches.
Bentayga X Concept: The details
That roof mounted go-kart - strapped to the bespoke roof rack behind a full set of rally-style spot lamps to pick out passing elk - is eligible for FAT International’s Karting League should you happen to be near a track. Titanium sports exhaust is by Akropovic, which we’re guessing gives passers-by the full throated burbling roar of the under-bonnet V8. Practicality? There are twin towing eyes at the front, though given the Concept X’s abilities they’re more likely to be used for pulling others out of trouble than needed to assist the Bentayga itself.
Your passengers will be pleased to find that the Bentayga’s super smooth air suspension is present and correct, augmented by what the company call Bentley Dynamic Ride, a 48 volt active electric anti-roll control system. Broadly this means a quiet snooze in the back while the driver navigates between polar bears.
The factory at Crewe tell us their Bentayga X Concept is strictly a one-off, and not available to the average Arctic loving plutocrat, however nicely they ask. Basic - if it can be called that - Bentley Bentayga Speed is available to order, however. You’ll need a not inconsiderable £219,000, and that’s before you add the go-kart to go on top and all of those essential off-road accessories that make up the X Concept version. Add another £50,000 for bespoke additions? See you at the bar at the nearest Ice Hotel.
Next up: The 10 best Bentleys of all time.
