MotorMartin has been following the development of the impressive Bentley Bentayga for a number of months now and has started to finally see a few examples on the highways and byways of West Yorkshire and what an impressive and imposing silhouette they have on the road out in the real world rather than the glossy pages of a magazine. Well done then to Bentley. It’s certainly the case that never before has a vehicle so coherently combined genuine luxury with go-anywhere driving ability.
Bentley have shared with MotorMartin that in this opinion, their incredible SUV is powerful, individual and exquisite in equal measure and that the Bentayga is for those who demand luxury without restriction. They also say that the Bentayga provides a true Bentley experience, even in the most challenging environments and takes luxury to new places, unrestrained by climate, terrain or conditions and in MotorMartin’s opinion, it would absolutely appear to be the case.
MotorMartin has been informed that the Bentayga 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 Setting. Rather incredibly, 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).
And of course, the Responsive Off-Road Settings allow 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. Everything a gentleman needs when out and about in the countryside.
Of course, as with all Bentleys, the Bentayga comes with multi-mode air suspension. The Bentayga 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. All in all, their has been an incredible amount of hard work from day one to bring this incredible SUV to the market and for this, MotorMartin reverently doffs his cap. Well done Bentley.
However, up here in MotorMartin Towers there’s a particular problem that’s been keeping MotorMartin awake at night and I’m sure it’s something that a lot of you out there will also be struggling with. Put yourself in this simple, everyday situation. Your Bentayga is on the drive and you’re wanting to go out for a spin and hopefully take in a little fly fishing, but you don’t want the rear of the Bentley to get spoiled, what then to do?
Of course you could pack up your fishing gear and stack it neatly in the Bentayga’s more than adequate boot space, but that’s not really going to cut the mustard with your friends and colleagues when you arrive at the loch to catch those tricky fish, so another solution is required. And Bentley, being Bentley have tasked their Bentayga department to find a solution to this very problem that will be acceptable to all.
Thank goodness then as Bentley has created the ultimate angling accessory; the new Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner. Brilliant.
Bentley have, once again, outdone themselves and have quite rightly shared the following with MotorMartin: Hand-crafted by Bentley’s bespoke coachbuilding division, the Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner is an exquisite installation which houses all the equipment required for a successful day on the river.
Four rods are stored in special tubes trimmed in Saddle leather with Linen cross-stitching and located on the underside of the parcel shelf. A pair of landing nets in matching leather bags are stored in a bespoke, carpet-trimmed hard pocket built into the side of the boot.
And as you would expect, at the heart of the Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner are three individual, Saddle-leather-trimmed units: a master tackle station; a refreshment case; and waterproof wader-stowage trunk.
The master tackle station and refreshment case sit on a sliding tray that allows for easy access. Inside the master tackle unit is a special Burr Walnut veneered drawer containing a fly-tying vice and tools, as well as a selection of cotton, hooks and feathers. Beneath this are four machined-from-solid aluminium reel cases trimmed in Saddle leather with a Linen cross-stitching. The interior of the refreshment case is trimmed in Linen leather, and contains up to three metal flasks and a set of Mulliner fine-china tableware, as well as a separate food storage compartment. With a quilted leather finish on top, it can also be removed entirely and used as additional seating.
Before continuing to say that, Waders and boots are conveniently stowed in a hand-crafted and Saddle-leather-wrapped wood trunk, lined with hard-wearing neoprene material to keep the items in a waterproof environment after use.
Of course, all three units can be removed from the Bentayga’s boot whenever maximum luggage space is required.
Waterproof boot-floor and rear-sill-protection covers are discreetly integrated into the rear of the Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner, as is an electronic dehumidifier unit to ensure the area remains fresh and dry.
Finally, Bentley have add that, For the first time with Bentayga, Mulliner ‘Welcome Lights’ are also featured. These are built into the underside of the doors and project the Bentley and Mulliner logos on to the ground when the doors are opened. In addition as a bespoke option, any personal logo or graphic can be individually specified on a customer’s Bentayga order. Excellent work Bentley.
Geoff Dowding, Director of Mulliner, informed MotorMartin that: “The Bentayga Fly Fishing car showcases the breadth and level of detail a customer can expect from Mulliner. This is an individual bespoke solution and our skilled craftspeople can design elegant and exquisitely executed bespoke solutions to complement any customer lifestyle or hobby. Fly fishing is a sport that requires a variety of equipment and clothing, so it was essential to package the rods, reels, waders, boots and fly-tying station into the car in a luxurious, accessible and elegant way – and the end result is truly extraordinary.”
So their you have it. You can now take your Bentayga fishing. Well done Bentley and the hard working Bentayga department. In all seriousness, this is a gorgeous solution, stunningly put together and compliments the Bentayga perfectly.
Where will you go?