'The apple doesn't fall far from the tree' is how you would conclude the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Black Edition. Character-wise, the luxury SUV is a befitting heir of its ancestors – including the Turbo R, Continental R, and the Brooklands – courtesy of its spirited performance, mixed with elegant styling and unwavering luxury in equal proportions to give the recipe for the perfect Bentley. Utilizing a monstrous 6-liter twin-turbo W12, the Bentayga promises speed – and lots of earth-spinning torques! More importantly, being the 'Black Edition,' it benefitted from a range of cosmetic gloss-black upgrades in the name of minimalism and a ‘stealth-like’ appearance. Back when it was new, the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Black Edition could run you a staggering $250,000. Factor in the bespoke optional extras, and you'll eventually be looking north of $300,000!
First unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show as a concept car, the Bentayga built upon a brawny, quite muscular profile with a keen focus on traditional SUV proportions. The Bentayga leveraged the VW Group’s MLB Evo platform, sharing its underpinnings with its corporate siblings, including the Audi Q7, Q8, Porsche Cayenne, and the Lamborghini Urus. More importantly, the Bentayga prided itself on being Bentley’s first-ever take on the luxury SUV market, blending performance, cutting-edge technology, and unparalleled luxury under one (panoramic) roof. Meanwhile, the very name, "Bentayga," took inspiration from the Canary Island’s volcanic peaks, hinting at the SUV’s utilitarian form and nature. With speeds echoing that of supercars and offroad prowess, the Bentayga gained immediate success. By 2016, though, it had achieved the feat of becoming Bentley's most popular model. Next, several Bentayga variants followed, including an economical V8 diesel, a bespoke Mulliner trim, and the 'Black Edition' trim, among several others.
Beneath the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Black Edition's hood sits a VW-series twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 engine delivering 600 horsepower and 664-pound feet of torques, channeled through an 8-speed automatic transmission. Also, it couples an AWD drivetrain, propelling the full-sized luxury SUV to 60 mph in a blistering four seconds, flat, rocketing all the way up to a staggering top speed of 187 mph (or 301 km/h). So, it comes as no surprise that the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Black Edition claimed the title for the fastest production SUV in the world. But, despite tipping the scales at a hulking 5,379 pounds, this torque-happy beast packs neck-snapping speeds and surprisingly modest handling. Still, the selection of driving modes (Sport, Bentley Mode, Comfort, Custom) allows the Bentayga to transform from a stealth weapon to a luxurious cruiser, pampering you with its sumptuous interior and refined ride.
The Bentayga’s inside opens up to an out-of-this-world, quite breathtaking sanctuary. A symphony of sleek, black veneers unfolds across the cockpit in a minimalistic flow, further accentuated by carbon-fiber accents, reminding passengers of the throbbing W12 beneath the hood. The leather perforated seats, showered in premium Beluga hide, boast integrated massage features, not just heated and ventilated options. The driver is equally treated to a steering wheel, clad in exquisite Beluga hide, for an elevated driving feel. Additionally, the soft touch suppleness – in the form of Alcantara – envelops the entire cabin, carpeting the floor, door panels, and the dash, ensuring exceptional suppleness. Meanwhile, an infotainment screen sits in the center, allowing access to multimedia controls and comfort features. Still, occupants may refine the cabin's atmosphere to that of a private jet through the optional mood lighting and panoramic sunroof, completing a star-gazing experience as you glide by in your Bentley.
The 2018 Bentley Bentayga Black Edition’s outside echoes the understated elegance of the interior. So, it utilizes a series of gloss-back veneers to create a refined, more streamlined appearance. Subtle changes include the signature Bentley matrix grille, and headlamp surrounds, now finished in black, closely followed by the front-mounted carbon-fiber splitter, emphasizing a predatory, stealth-like front-end appearance. Meanwhile, massive 22-inch five-spoke wheels – all in black – dominate the side profile, an upgrade worth having over the base trim Bentayga. At the back, however, a giant carbon-fiber spoiler presides, perfectly complementing the carbon-fiber rear diffuser and the dark-accented exhaust pipes.
Complementing its supreme comfort and stealthy looks is an impressive work of technology, all done in the name of effortless driving. And so, it utilizes an (optional) Bentley Dynamic Ride, fine tuning the air suspension to recapture that of an old Bentley’s legendary waft. Meanwhile, the massage seats make occupants feel at home, closely followed by mood lighting and a premium sound system, the essentials for a truly first-class experience. Also working behind the curtains is an impressive array of safety features, including 360-degree surround cameras, adaptive cruise control, blind spot detection, rear traffic cross alert, lane-departure and lane-keeping assist, and pedestrian warning, ensuring a protective cocoon around its occupants as they bathe in classic Bentley luxury.
The 2018 Bentley Bentayga Black Edition boasted a window sticker price of a strong $239,000, excluding options and destination charges. Add in optional extras, like the must-have Bentley Dynamic Ride ($5,180), NAIM Sound System ($4,924), and the Bentley Rear Entertainment Package ($7,515), and you’ll be treading the $300,000 mark! Still, some used examples can set you back a modest $80,000 – $120,000, depending on mileage, condition, spec-sheet, etc. Want one for yourself? Head straight to the Bentley Bentayga listings at Exotic Car Trader to experience this luxury cruiser for yourself.
Beneath its sleek, dark-accent exterior lies a mighty W12 engine, capable of leaving even the most revered sports cars in its dust. Yet, within its luxurious, hand-crafted interior, a different persona emerges. Exotic Car Trader offers an online platform with an intuitive and easy-to-use interface for your exotic car shopping spree, be it a classic Bentley or a Ferrari. More importantly, benefit from Exotic Car Trader’s straightforward, quite streamlined buying process for a satisfying car-buying experience. Alternatively, contact us now to learn more about our laid-out car-selling process – protected by market-best practices and fraud-detection tools – for a simplified car-selling experience. Undoubtedly, the 2018 Bentley Bentayga Black Edition is a stealth weapon in sheep’s clothing, ready to unleash its power at a moment’s notice.
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