Bentley Orlando has used Mulliner's extensive capability to produce a bespoke space-themed Bentayga Speed for one of its customers. Using feature content from Mulliner's personal commissioning guide and a number of bespoke elements, the resulting Bentley Bentayga Speed is a stunning individual example of the craftsmanship associated with Mulliner.

The exterior paint shade of Cypress is famously familiar from the launch of the first generation Continental GT in 2003. The dark metallic grey with subtle green undertones creates a dark, stone-like exterior, with visual presence increased by the use of Blackline Specification - replacing all exterior brightware with gloss black version. Orange Flame accents to the gloss carbon fibre Styling Specification take inspiration from comet dust trails racing across the night sky, and add a bright contrast to the Cypress paintwork. The combination provides a unique backdrop for the bespoke interior.

Inside the beautifully crafted cabin, the first individual feature visible when opening the doors are the illuminated treadplates depicting planets orbiting a solar system. The eye is quickly drawn to the Orange bezels surrounding the Galaxy Stone fascias set into the dashboard and mirrored on the door waistrails. The smooth bright surfaces contrast the dark grey tactile stone emphasising the highly bespoke nature of this customer commission.

The cabin is trimmed in Beluga and Porpoise, providing a dark, night-sky-esque backdrop for the accents of colour. Unique satin black speaker grilles, of the class leading 'Naim for Bentley' sound system, discreetly hide in the shadows, with the Naim centre badges illuminated like stars in the night. The unique and bespoke fluting in the door recesses can also be seen emanating from the bright orange Bentley seat emblem towards the outer edges of the shoulder area. Orange micro piping trails the seat edges and encircles the floor-mats.

The largest splashes of Orange can be found nearest the driver, like solar eruptions. The centre spoke of the steering wheel and gear lever are the brightest areas within the interior, both trimmed in beautiful contrast hide.

Joseph Wierda, Bentley Orlando General Manager, comments: "The Space Coast in central Florida has long been established as the world's gateway to explore the universe above, so space travel and exploration were the perfect themes to inspire this unique car. Just as space is limitless, the opportunities for customisation with the Mulliner design team were only limited by our collective imagination."

Bentley's in-house bespoke and personalisation division - Mulliner - has already completed 100 unique design requests for 2022, a doubling of demand in comparison to the previous year. 2021 saw the success of the dedicated Mulliner Design team as they completed their 1000th bespoke commission since inception seven years ago. The extensive portfolio includes coachbuilt cars, Blowers, limited editions and an incredible array of individual customer projects.

The pace of growth has increased at the start of 2022, with continuing demand of individual personalisation of Bentleys across the model range.

Paul Dickinson, Head of Mulliner Commercial, comments: "The rise in popularity of our bespoke commissioning service is testament to the skills of both our Mulliner Design team and the craftspeople working tirelessly to deliver any request. Our Personal Commissioning Guide is the launch pad for so many customer journeys, and this space-themed Bentayga Speed is a stunning example of what's possible."

'Rocket-like' Performance

The Bentayga Speed takes the Bentayga's extraordinary abilities to new levels, utilising the 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers peak power of 635 PS (626 bhp). Effortless acceleration is always guaranteed thanks to 900 Nm (664 lb.ft) of torque, available as a plateau from 1,500 rpm to 5,000 rpm.

With exceptional performance, comfort and handling, maximum speed is 190 mph (306 km/h), while the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint is delivered in 3.9 seconds.

To use this power with ease the Bentayga Speed is equipped with four on-road Drive Dynamics modes: Comfort at one extreme, Sport at the other and with Bentley mode - the balanced recommendation of Bentley's chassis team in Crewe - alongside a Custom mode for customers who opt to create their own driving set-up.

Uniquely, the Sport mode has been calibrated to enhance response from the W12 engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission, together with the air suspension system and Bentley Dynamic Ride. The effect is a more dynamic and engaging drive.

Bentley Dynamic Ride is the world's first electric active roll control technology that utilises an unrivalled 48V system. This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling. Recalibration of Bentley's Torque Vectoring by Brake system - whereby the car lightly brakes the inside rear wheel at corner entry to sharpen the front axle turn-in - has made Bentayga Speed even more responsive to drive.

The Bentayga Speed's optional carbon ceramic brakes are the largest and most powerful brakes available from Bentley, with a maximum braking torque of 6,000 Nm and engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1,000 °C. They also provide a weight saving of more than 20 kg over iron brakes.

Bentayga's Successful Launch

The first generation Bentley Bentayga was launched in 2016 with customer deliveries soon after. Since then, the Bentayga has defined the luxury SUV sector. Over this time Bentley has introduced three further powertains and in 2020 the second generation was revealed.

By the start of 2022 approximately 28,500 Bentaygas have now been produced. The Bentayga remains Bentley's best-selling model, and has expanded the luxury SUV sector exactly as the Continental GT did, when launched in 2004. For the Bentayga, maybe the sky is not the limit.

Bentley is bringing a new focus on wellness to its model range with the launch of the Bentayga Extended Wheelbase - a new grand touring SUV that builds on the strengths of the Bentayga to become a new luxury flagship, extending the latest product range to five models.

So much more than just a stretch, the Bentayga Extended Wheelbase is the result of a nine-figure investment by Bentley to create a new model that provides the best rear cabin experience since a Mulsanne, whilst retaining the Bentley hallmarks of effortless performance, exquisite handcraftsmanship and endless personalisation.

The success of the Bentayga defined and enabled the growth of the luxury SUV market since the first unveiling in 2015. Over the last seven years, the Bentayga has proved its credibility through genuine off-road capability, hybrid technology, record-breaking performance, and bespoke specifications. The Bentayga remains Bentley's best-selling model, and has become the benchmark against which other luxury SUVs are measured. The Bentayga Extended Wheelbase once again redefines the zenith.

In 2021, Bentley achieved record sales of 14,659 cars, a 31% growth over the previous best from 2020 - and the Bentayga accounted for just over a third of this volume. The global luxury SUV market continues to expand, with the forecast increasing towards the end of the decade across all regions. However, this is not the same for the E-segment, which has been declining. The Bentayga Extended Wheelbase has the potential to raise the ceiling of the D-segment, as one of the spiritual successors to the Mulsanne.

Feedback from Bentley customers is that design, technology and performance are the three most important factors on the decision to purchase, with the driving characteristics being the top priority amongst current owners. In a recent survey, owners also confirmed that 82% of them use their luxury SUVs daily, 74% in cities and urban environments. The Bentayga Extended Wheelbase stretches the class-leading SUV's breadth of ability even further whether you are driving or being driven.

The Extended Wheelbase will be responsible for up to 45% of all Bentayga sales when the car goes on sale later this year. The Bentayga will therefore remain Bentley's number one model, and the most successful and in-demand luxury SUV in the world.

Introduction to the Bentayga EWB

The Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase (EWB) builds on the latest second-generation Bentayga, extending the wheelbase and rear cabin space by an extra 180 mm. With Body-in-White changes to the underfloor, side panels, door and roof, Bentley's design team have ensured the lines and proportions continue to exude style and presence. This increase results in the wheelbase of the car stretching from 2995 mm to 3175 mm, with an overall length of 5322 mm. The increased length is all in the rear door, creating an exceptionally luxurious rear cabin area. With a larger cabin space than any other luxury competitor, an emphasis on wellness, and the introduction of the world's first auto climate and advanced postural adjustment rear seat, extraordinary journeys are guaranteed.

The new Bentley Airline Seat specification is the most advanced seat ever fitted to a car, with 22-ways of adjustment and world-firsts in a new auto climate sensing system and postural adjustment technology.

In Relax mode, the seat can recline to 40 degrees, whilst the passenger seat is motored forwards and a beautifully leather-trimmed footrest deploys from the back of the front passenger seat. In Business Mode, the seat moves into its most upright position to make working on the move more comfortable.

The auto climate seat technology senses occupant temperature and surface humidity and then determines whether to apply heat, ventilation or both simultaneously to keep the occupant at optimum thermal wellbeing. Meanwhile, the postural adjustment system automatically makes micro adjustments to the occupant's seating position and pressure points, by measuring pressure across the seat surface. The system can apply 177 individual pressure changes across six fully independent pressure zones over a three-hour period improving comfort and minimising fatigue throughout a journey.

Adrian Hallmark, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, comments: 'The Bentayga Extended Wheelbase is our first car truly dedicated to the onboard wellness of its occupants. Every Bentley gets you to your destination feeling more relaxed than when you started your journey, and yet with the Extended Wheelbase we've been able to go even further thanks to the adoption of world-first wellness technology embedded within our unrivalled interior cabin design. In combination with the incredible skills of the craftspeople at our carbon-neutral factory in Crewe, these advances make the Bentayga Extended Wheelbase the ultimate luxury SUV to drive or be driven in."

The Bentley Bentayga EWB incorporates a more advanced stitching design created using digital craftsmanship. Diamonds can be seen elongating symmetrically from the centre of the seatbacks shoulder panels and along the length of the door, reflecting the extension in the car itself.

The new interior style of the rear door also includes a unique design showcasing the optional 'Metal Overlay in Veneer'. Using a thin metal strip just 0.07 mm thick, an intricate design is bonded by hand on the surface of the veneer before the part is lacquered and polished.

New features like Bentley Diamond Illumination (where light is emitted through small perforations in the soft feel door trim) demonstrate how technology combines with contemporary craftsmanship to deliver incredibly modern design in luxurious materials. With 24 billion trim combinations alone (and a total number of possible specifications running into the trillions), the cabin of the Bentayga Extended Wheelbase is capable of offering the most individual Bentayga ever.

The introduction of Electronic All Wheel Steering, a first for the Bentayga, ensures that there is no shortfall of dynamic ability despite the longer wheelbase. In fact, the turning circle is 7% less than a standard Bentayga, at just 11.8 metres. This also guarantees no compromise between high-speed confidence and low speed convenience.

Bentley Dynamic Ride, the 48V active anti-roll control system introduced originally by Bentayga as a world-first, is included as standard and provides the optimum balance between ultimate ride comfort, handling and body control.

Bentley Motors announced the company's most visually striking SUV to date, the Bentayga S Black Edition. Identified by the first application of black-tinted wings to a Bentley in 105 years, the S Black Edition combines vivid accent colours, rich black detailing and confidence-inspiring chassis technology, revealing the darker side of the Bentayga.

Customers can choose from seven accent colour specifications: Mandarin, Signal Yellow, Klein Blue, Pillar Box Red, Ice, Hyper Green, and Beluga. Each of the colours bring eye-catching yet cohesive design both inside and outside, contrasting with stealthy black treatments across the car.

On the exterior, the accent takes the form of a laser-like stripe on the Styling Specification body kit below the front bumper and side sills and across the top of the rear spoiler. Brake calipers are painted to match, adding a splash of colour behind 22" black-painted wheels. As per the standard Bentayga S, all exterior brightware is replaced with gloss black versions - but the S Black Edition is the first model in Bentley's 105-year history to include the Bentley Wings and lettering in matching gloss black. The final exterior detail is a Black Edition badge located on the rear D pillar.

At the start of the year, a host of new features have increased the desirability of the Bentayga range even further. With the exterior of the car remaining fresh, the scope for increased personalisation has been increased with seven new satin paints, a new additional exterior colour and a new 21" wheel option in three different finishes. Priority has been given to the driver and passenger experience with new chassis technology, new electrical architecture and additional features, including a reprofiled front radiator grille. The introduction of all wheel steering at the launch of Bentayga Extended Wheelbase increased handling and manoeuvrability whilst also reducing the turning circle by nearly 1m. This system is now included as standard on both the Bentayga Azure and 'S' V8 models.

For the new S Black Edition, the Bentley design team has also created a unique interior colour layout, bringing the perfect contrast between rich Beluga leather and splashes of bright accent colour. The impactful accent colours on the outside of the car are carried through into the handcrafted cabin, where contrast stitching, contrast piping and accent-coloured sections of the leather trim come together to achieve the same searing effect. Each seat is embroidered with a black 'S' emblem.

A new carbon fibre weave has been used on the fascia, centre console and waistrails. The weave adds seemingly-3D visual depth to the fascia, providing the perfect backdrop for the Black Edition badge, which is inlaid beneath the lacquered surface to preserve the flush finish.

The new Dark Chrome pack has been included as standard. This means that much of the interior metal detailing - the bullseye air vents, their organ stop controls and the centre vents - has been changed from usual bright chrome to gloss black equivalents.

There are three audio systems to choose from, starting with the Bentley Signature Audio system. The Bang & Olufsen for Bentley system takes sound quality to another level, while also featuring stunning illuminated speaker grilles, while the Naim for Bentley system represents the ultimate in automotive sound quality.

Agility for the urban environment, not just the race track

The dynamic nature of the Bentley Bentayga S Black Edition is enhanced in each of the driving modes by the Electronic All-Wheel Steering. This is even more apparent as the steering combines with Bentley Dynamic Ride using up to +/- 4.8° of steering lock on the rear wheels.

At low and medium speeds (below 37 mph), the rear wheels are steered in the opposite direction to the front wheels to aid a rapid change of direction, maximising manoeuvrability in tight spaces and reducing the turning circle by 1m. At higher speeds (above 37 mph), the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front, to improve stability and providing further confidence.

Understated performance

The Bentayga S Black Edition features Bentley's renowned 4.0-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine, combining immense power with impressive fuel economy. The latest-generation engine develops 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft. (770 Nm) of torque, with a 0-60 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.4 (4.5) seconds and a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). This class-leading performance is complemented by a range of 406 miles (654 km), with CO2 emissions of 296 g/km.

Deploying the power as effectively as possible, Bentley Dynamic Ride is fitted as standard and was the world's first electric active roll control technology that utilises an unrivalled 48V system. The system can react within 0.3s with up to 1,300 Nm of torque to counteract lateral rolling forces when cornering, ensuring maximum tyre contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling.

Similar to the Continental GT Speed, where the boundaries of grand touring comfort versus engaging performance have been extended through chassis mode selection, the Bentayga S Black Edition offers increased capability through an enhanced SPORT mode over a standard Bentayga.

In SPORT, improved steering feel, greater turn-in response and further reduced body-roll is possible due to an additional 15 per cent increase in air suspension damping and a unique Electronic Stability Control and Bentley Dynamic Ride tune.

Recalibration of Bentley's Torque Vectoring by Brake system - whereby the car lightly brakes the inside rear wheel at corner entry to sharpen the front axle turn-in - has made Bentayga S Black Edition even more responsive to drive.

A sports exhaust is included as standard, with free-flowing primary and secondary pipes improving flow and combining with reduced perforations in the muffler to deliver enhanced character and volume, giving a more performance-oriented feel.

The Bentayga's comprehensive off-road abilities remain, with the optional All-Terrain Specification bringing four dedicated off-road modes (Snow and Wet Grass, Dirt and Gravel, Mud and Trail, and Sand) along with a 500 mm wading depth.

Striking presence with responsibility

The Bentayga S Hybrid Black Edition allows customers to indulge their passion for sporting performance and striking design while still enjoying the many advantages of an electrified powertrain.

With a combined output of 462 PS (456 bhp), the 3.0-litre TFSI V6 petrol engine and 100 kW electric motor-generator can power the Bentayga S Hybrid Black Edition from zero to 62 miles an hour (100 km/h) in just 5.3 seconds, with a top speed of 158 mph (254 km/h). The sensation of effortless power is, if anything, accentuated by the hybrid powertrain due to the capability of the electric motor to deliver its full torque output from zero revolutions per minute.

Like its V8-powered stablemate - the new Bentayga S Hybrid Black Edition provides a more engaging drive, featuring (whilst in Sport mode) sound enhancements in the engine bay complementing the sound of the V6 TFSi and adding to the more sporting character of the car.