Bentayga

McLaren W1 First Drive: Ferocious Hypercar Transcends the Track

You know things are getting serious when McLaren rolls-out the ‘1’ suffix. The origin story is, of course, the very first road car McLaren ever built, the F1. Designed by visionary Formula 1 aerodynamicist and engineer Gordon Murray, it arrived in 1992 and rendered all other supercars obsolete. The tiny, lightweight F1 embraced carbon-fibre material technology, adopted a radical centre seat driving position with two passengers set back and either side and was powered by a 6.1-litre V12 engine from BMW that might as well have been passed down directly from the Gods. Game-changer? That doesn’t even come close to describing its impact, even if at the time sales didn’t come easy… The P1 was very different. Rather than a unique side project from the Formula 1 team, it was instead a statement piece for McLaren Automotive, a new road car division still in its infancy. It arrived in 2013 and was a wild-eyed showstopper. It traded the long-legged gait and supple suspension of the F1 for a weaponized hybrid system capable of delivering 903bhp and huge blue flames from its drainpipe exhaust. In Race mode, it lowered by 2-inches and its massive concave rear wing extended into the sky. The P1 was all about aerodynamic downforce, crazed acceleration and a snorting, angry soundtrack that mixed venomous twin-turbocharged V8 with the manic whirr of electric motors. Not so much a car as a force of nature. And now there’s this: The W1. It’s a true successor to the P1 with a similar brief and, on the face of it, it evolves rather than radically reinvents McLaren’s vision for the ultimate hypercar. This is not a criticism. How could it be when the result is this dramatic and has such staggering, other-worldly potential? The W1 has 1258bhp delivered to the rear wheels. It’s capable of 0-124 mph in 5.8-seconds, the quarter mile in 9.6-seconds at 167 mph and produces 2205lbs of downforce at 174 mph. The active aerodynamics – particularly a rear wing that extends way out beyond the rear of the car – are pure performance art and deliver massive aerodynamic efficiency. The result, aside from looking extremely cool, is that the W1 is McLaren’s fastest road car around a racetrack. Ever. Their benchmark circuit is the breath-taking Handling Track at the Nardo proving ground in southern Italy, where the W1 beats their previous benchmark, the flyweight McLaren Senna, by three seconds per lap. Or “a lifetime” as they call it in racing. Maybe two lifetimes! Core to the W1’s performance is the new ‘Aerocell’ carbon fibre tub. With integrated seats and a raised footwell to allow for inboard pushrod-operated front suspension – which in turn gives air a clean path to the huge underbody diffuser – it’s light, stiff, space efficient and has been instrumental in McLaren realising a full ground-effect concept. Just like last year’s F1 cars, which were the fastest ever made. There is also an active front wing and the aforementioned complex rear wing dubbed ‘Active Long Tail’. All of which is very admirable. But the ‘anhedral’ or gullwing doors and the fantastically shirnked-wrapped feel to the minimalist, highly-focussed interior are a pretty good side effect. The W1 feels special. Those fixed seats are perhaps a shade more upright than expected, and the driving position is less obviously racecar than, for example, the Aston Martin Valhalla or Ferrari F80. However, once you’ve adjusted the pedals (they move on a slider) and the delicate, slim-rimmed and alcantara-trimmed steering wheel, there’s an overwhelming sense of purpose. The cabin is so tightly tailored and imparts a sense of lightness and agility before you so much as start the all-new 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, which makes 916bhp all on its own and revs to 9200rpm. Reach up to a roof-mounted control panel to find the starter button. Maybe this fighter plane trope is a little corny, but somehow you feel thrilled rather than manipulated. The W1 has a sense of humour as well as all that motorsport-derived sophistication. There’s a short delay, but when the engine does fire it’s instant – as the high-powered hybrid system negates the need for an old-school starter motor. A sharp flare of revs tells you that this engine is hyper-responsive and angry. On some deep level your brain and body have been sent all the signals required to prepare for something new and intense. Ahead of us, an empty Mugello racetrack, so press and hold the blue button next to the red starter to select Race mode. The centre display graphic shows the W1’s transformation in real time as it lowers by 37mm at the front and 17mm at the rear whilst simultaneously undocking all that active aero goodness. Race mode is not road legal and is geo-locked. You can show your friends and neighbours the aero dance, but it won’t allow you to select a gear to actually drive unless you’re at a circuit. Incidentally, the rocker switches either side of the display binnacle allow further options now: Toggle up the Handling control on the left for Race+ (for F1-spec super smooth tracks) or stick to Race for gnarlier ones. On the right toggle select ‘GP’ for sustained performance over a stint or ‘Sprint’ to unleash all 1258bhp for a time attack. There’s also a DRS and Boost function on the steering wheel. But I guarantee you won’t have the mental capacity to use them… Exit the pitlane, pin the throttle and W1 takes maybe a millisecond or two to gather its might (the gearing stretches to around 60mph in first, nearly 100mph in second, primarily to aid traction), but then lunges at the first turn with incredible ferocity. It instantly feels light, almost like inertia is no longer a thing. McLaren really does prize lightweight engineering, and at 3084lbs (dry) the W1 has a 278lbs advantage over the Ferrari F80. Plus, Ferrari uses figures for cars fitted with every single carbon fibre option. In reality, the gap is probably wider still. The impression of agility and stunning control continues as the track is unravelled at startling pace. The electric motor mounted to the side of the new 8-speed dual-clutch transmission is good for 342bhp and 324lb ft and it boosts any low rev lethargy the new flat-plane crank V8 might have (spoiler alert: It doesn’t appear to have any), so the W1 just feels massively, almost impossibly powerful at any revs. Even so, there’s real reward for wringing it out to 9200rpm and the power curve feels superheated but organic, too. In Race mode the steering – still hydraulically powered – has less assistance and it is noticeably heavier than other McLarens. However, that resistance is welcome as it gives you something to push against and imparts so much information about the front grip level. New Pirelli Trofeo RS tyres with a bigger front footprint than P1 or Senna really help. The front-end feels incredibly secure and the rear-axle follows with perfectly-aligned precision. The whole car feels super-stiff, completely locked into the surface and inspires confidence, but there’s an inherent agility and adjustability that means you’re quickly confident to push at its limits and really impose yourself on the chassis. It’s such a complex car but the driving experience is intuitive, and the driver feels a key contributor rather than just amazed (or terrified) observer, holding on for dear life. Every dynamic ingredient really is shockingly effective and yet has a subtlety and lightness of touch. From that delicious steering to the incredible brakes, the W1 just feels so mission-focussed, so hooked-up. Only the new 8-speed gearbox is a slightly disappointment. It’s fast and punchy, but after the scintillating energy of the Ferrari F80 ’box it feels competent rather than inspired. Other quibbles – it’s okay to quibble when the starting price is $2.1-million before tax and destination charge. Well, that new twin-turbocharged V8 sounds tightly wound and aggressive but if you have a P1 tucked in the garage you’ll miss the snorting, Darth Vader-style soundscape and all the drama that goes with it. Ferrari does this better, too. The F80 sounds deathly dull from the outside but is a riot of turbochargers, electric motors and all sorts of mechanical fury within the cockpit. Even so, the W1 is wildly entertaining on track, and the rear-drive configuration makes it more of a challenge and more satisfying than the F80 when chasing lap times or just sliding around for fun. In the Ferrari, you must second-guess what the front e-axle might do, whereas in the W1 it’s all on you. There are plenty of tools to help, including the ingenious Variable Drift Control, but somehow the W1 is more heroic. Or at least fools you into feeling more heroic – which is surely the point! On the road? Nimble, loaded with feel and sublime response. The ride is noticeably tougher than, say, a 750S but the control is ramped-up too, and with a bit more speed the whole car finds a delicious rhythm. Sport mode for the drivetrain brings some nice turbo whooshes and chirps, but the noise remains high-quality rather than extreme excitement. It is perhaps the one area the W1 feels just a little too tame. Of course, there’s nothing tame about the raw performance… which is genuinely shocking and literally hurts your neck muscles after a few hours. How McLaren has given the W1 such immense traction through just two driven wheels is beyond me. So, is it worthy of that ‘1’? I think so. Perhaps we won’t be talking about $25-million auction results for the W1 in 30 years from now, as we are for the F1. Perhaps it doesn’t quite have the amazing presence and jaw-dropping star quality of the simply gorgeous P1. But it is such an intense experience and the way it marries stunning track performance with delicate poise and entertainment on normal roads is something akin to magic. Maybe not ‘the one’ but definitely a searing, outrageous addition to McLaren’s fiercest family line. Just 399 W1’s will be built and they’re all sold. I’m not surprised at all. View All McLarens For Sale Images: McLaren Automotive

By Tyler Rampersaud – August 01, 2024

Exclusive Automotive Group Sells The Final Bentley Bentay...

This is the end of a glorious Bentley era. Bentley’s W12 engine was introduced over 20 years ago as a unique take on a 12-cylinder engine. It offers the incredible luxury, performance, and exclusivity of a 12-cylinder engine with a compact footprint compared to a typical V12 layout. Since then, the W12 engine has imbued Bentley’s cars with incredible performance, putting Bentley’s Speed models at some of the world's highest echelons of performance cars. One of those is the Bentley Bentayga Speed, one of the world’s fastest, most powerful, and most luxurious performance SUVs created. Exclusive Automotive Group in Ashburn, Virginia, sold the final Bentley Bentayga W12. The commemorative vehicle is elegantly finished in a Dark Grey Satin exterior, with a Saddle leather interior that showcases the Bentayga Speed’s performance-oriented character with carbon fiber trim. Commemorative touches include the number 12 emblazoned on the grille and W12 2003-2023 exterior badging. Inside, the dashboard’s carbon fiber is decorated with “The Final Bentley Bentayga W12” lettering, and a decorative treadplate depicts the inner workings of the legendary engine. However, increasing the collector-grade status of this masterpiece is the signature of none other than Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Bentley’s CEO in the engine bay. With these commemorative touches, this 2023 Bentley Bentayga Speed is a veritable treasure of automotive history and Bentley’s recently-ended but iconic W12 era. View All Exclusive Automotive Group Inventory Image Source: Exclusive Automotive Group

Extraordinary Journeys Collection 1 New Mexico

By Tyler Rampersaud – June 12, 2024

Bentley Reveals New Globally-Inspired 'Extraordinary Jour...

These exclusive Mullier creations revel in the spirit of adventure. Bentley’s Mulliner division, known for its unique and captivating creations, artisan craftsmanship, fine materials, and incredible attention to detail, has announced a new collection of exclusive Bentleys. Entitled ‘Extraordinary Journeys,’ the collection is inspired by captivating destinations worldwide and celebrates the spirit of adventure. Those destinations are New Mexico, Scandinavia, China, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Showcasing the internationally inspired configurations is the Bentley Bentayga Azure, Bentley’s best adventuring vehicle. It is designed for long-distance comfort and relaxation, luxurious spaciousness, practicality, versatility, and well-rounded capability. The New Mexico configuration uses browns and warm tan shades to echo the look of the canyons and rocky landscapes of New Mexico. In contrast, the Scandinavia configuration’s blues and white evoke a peaceful and coastal environment. Meanwhile, the China configuration celebrates the country's diverse nature and biomes with features like tweed accents, stone veneer, wood, and Linen leather. New Zealand’s configuration captures the archipelago country’s captivating landscapes using green, brown, and stone accents. The UK configuration honors Bentley’s home country with hues of green, reminiscing the legacy of British Racing Green and the verdant countryside. The beautiful, bespoke, and exclusive collection revels in the natural beauty that can be seen worldwide and encourages lifelong wanderlust with its travel-inspired depictions. With the luxury and capability of the Bentayga Azure, the beauty of the world can be seen in stunning automotive excellence and luxury. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Image Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 29, 2024

The New Exclusive Bentley Bentayga Apex Edition Has Carbo...

An ultra-exclusive limited edition is Bentley’s sportiest Bentayga yet. Last year, Bentley celebrated two important anniversaries, the 20th anniversary of the Bentley Speed 8’s 2003 Le Mans victory, and the 100th anniversary of the first 24 Hours of Le Mans where Bentley set the fastest lap in 1923. The way the historic luxury manufacturer celebrated those moments was with the Continental Le Mans Edition, an exclusive rendition of both the Bentley Continental GT and Continental GTC. The exclusive run of 48 cars paid homage to Bentley’s long-standing racing legacy and pedigree, and now, Bentley, with the help of its Mulliner division, has revealed a new creation that evokes the brand’s motorsport legacy: the new Bentley Bentayga Apex Edition. Based on the Bentley Bentayga S, only 20 Apex Edition Bentaygas will be made globally, and the ultra-luxe SUV also boasts the status of being the sportiest Bentayga yet. It features the Bentayga S’s 542-horsepower twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine, with a 4.4-second 0-60 time and a 180 mph top speed, but that’s not what sets the Apex Edition apart. Rather, Bentley and Mulliner added extra touches that elevate the dynamic character of the Bentayga S. These most prominently include 20-inch carbon fiber wheels, saving an immense 53 pounds of weight and offering more agile steering, improved braking, and reduced tire wear. In addition, carbon brakes also save weight and improve braking performance, and a carbon fiber body kit enhances aerodynamics and alludes to the Apex Edition’s performance-oriented character. The Apex Edition boasts an exclusive livery that consists of a stripe on the hood and roof, a Bentayga first. Six themes are offered, with the main colors of Candy Red, Anthracite, Orange Flame, Alpine Green, Pale Brodgar, and Extreme Silver. The interiors of each are also exquisitely crafted in striking configurations. Also, owners of the Bentley Continental Le Mans Edition are exclusively offered a matching livery to the Continental for their Bentayaga Apex Edition, with an interior that echoes that of the exclusive Continental as well. With added performance-oriented tweaks and improvements throughout, the new Bentley Bentayga Apex Edition is an ultra-exclusive ode to the Bentayga, and also the sportiest rendition of the Bentayga yet. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Image Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – April 09, 2024

New Bentley Bentayga S Black Edition Features Unique Blac...

Bentley unfurls black wings for the first time in a century. For those who enjoy a more sleek and subtle look to their luxury car, black is a great option, and oftentimes, clients will opt for black accents, when they are available, to make that look even more consistent and elegant. Through its incredible bespoke ability, artisan craftsmanship, and attention to detail, Bentley is able to offer options like these among the billions of possible configurations its vehicles boast. However, one of the best examples of that is seen on the newly-revealed Bentey Bentayga S Black Edition, which offers a special touch that hasn’t been seen on a Bentley in a very long time. The Bentley Bentayga S offers a sharper, more driver-focused side to the Bentayga, with its 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine sporting 542 horsepower and 568 lb/ft of torque, resulting in a 4.4-second 0-60 time and a 180-mph top speed, which are impressive figures for a sumptuous, plush luxury SUV. In addition, all-wheel steering adds nimble character to the vehicle, and 22-inch wheels and a sports exhaust indicate the model’s performance character. Better yet, performance and efficiency are available with a 456-hp hybrid powertrain. However, the Black Edition adds a few touches that make it special. Black paintwork is a available with a range of accent colors: Mandarin, Signal Yellow, Klein Blue, Pillar Box Red, Ice, Hyper Green, and Beluga. In addition, the brightware, typically finished in chrome, is replaced with gloss black. However, what sets the Black Edition apart is the Bentley Wings logo on the rear, which is also finished in black. The Bentayga S Black Edition marks the first time Bentley has used a black Bentley Wings logo in 105 years. The interior recieves a similar specification, with Beluga leather interrupted by splashes of contrasting accent colors, along with carbon fiber trim and stunning embroidery that nod to the car’s performance-oriented and luxurious character. With a sleek, stealthy look, and a unique logo seen for the first time in 105 years, the new Bentley Bentayga S Black Edition shows off a darker side to Bentley luxury. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Image Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – March 08, 2024

Bentley Celebrates International Women's Day With Three N...

Bentley celebrates International Women’s Day and its own rich history. International Women’s Day celebrates the incredible contributions of women across the globe throughout history, and as the historic British automotive luxury manufacturer Bentley celebrates the day, it looks back on its own history, inspired by three women tied to the story of Bentley in the 1920s. These women were the “Bentley Girls,” Mary Petre Bruce, Dorothy Paget, and Diana Barnato Walker. All three of them boldly wrote chapters in Bentley’s history nearly a century ago, and are being celebrated today by a stunning bespoke project. Mary Petre Bruce had a veritable need for speed, as her first time behind the wheel of a Bentley was in 1929 when she drove a Bentley 4½ Litre in Montlhéry, France for 24 hours to break the world record for single-handed driving, averaging 89 mph to cover 2,164 miles over the 24 hours, despite fog and a dangerous track. The same year, she also used a powerboat to achieve the fastest double-crossing of the English Channel at the time, and became the first woman to fly around the world alone. Dorothy Paget is known for racing the legendary Blower Bentley, sponsoring a team of four supercharged Blowers, which raced at Brooklands and Le Mans, and despite never winning, the #2 car raced by Sir Tim Birkin has become the most valuable and legendary Bentley in the world. Diana Barnato Walker inherited her father’s courage, and pursued passions like horseback riding, and driving a Bentley 4¼ Litre Park Ward Saloon in Dove Grey. However, her lifelong passion was flight, and her favorite aircraft was the Spitfire, flying solo at the Brooklands Flying Club, and joining the Air Transport Auxiliary in 1941, completing the precarious and dangerous delivery of 260 Spitfires and other aircraft to their squadrons by the end of World War II. Each of these women are being honored with a bespoke one-of-one Bentley Bentayga, designed and crafted with intricate details of their stories in mind. The Mary Petre Bruce Bentayga Azure is finished in Parson Green, which references her 4½ Litre, along with the fluted seat uppers, and the vehicle also has a checkered flag badge on the D-pillar that reference her racing triumphs. The Dorothy Paget Bentley Bentayga EWB Mulliner is appropriately finished in Blower Green, with a Cumbrian Green and Blower Green interior that matches the #2 racing car. Turned aluminum fascias in the interior also give a historical reference to the dashboard of the Blower racing car. The Diana Barnato Bentley Bentayga S is inspired by the Spitfire, with a Smoke Green exterior, and a green and saddle interior that references the Spitfire’s cockpit. A D-pillar badge features the Spitfire logo, and Signal Yellow accents reference the leading edge of the aircraft’s wings. These incredible bespoke Bentleys celebrate the stories of women who helped shape the history of the amazing Bentley brand we know today, and they make for a perfect celebration of International Women’s Day. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Image Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – February 22, 2024

The First Two-Tone Bentley Bentayga EWB Was A Bespoke Com...

Bentley’s flagship luxury meets bespoke style. With the introduction of the new Bentayga EWB, Bentley introduced a new approach to flagship luxury. The stretched Bentayga also introduced the Airline Seat: a rear seat with incredible levels of temperature control and adjustment that is nothing short of opulent. However, Mulliner created a new commission that adds a new level of bespoke style to the Bentayga EWB, and the resulting vehicle is called the ‘Kingfisher’ Bentley Bentayga EWB. A couple in Irvine, California requested a unique commission for the Bentayga EWB that hadn’t been done yet at the time: a two-tone paint finish, which spurred the introduction of two-tone configurations as a factory option an entire year earlier than Bentley would have otherwise. An example of the Bentley Bentayga EWB Azure First Edition, the vehicle goes beyond the 46 billion available configuration combinations, and instead sports Kingfisher, an electric blue, with an Onyx top half to complement the dark trim pieces. Even the wheels are painted in the striking Kingfisher blue. Inside, the couple opted for the Airline Seat specification, an open-pore Koa wood veneer, and a Naim for Bentley audio system. The upholstery chosen was a striking combination of Mandarin and Imperial Blue leather, with “one-of-one”-branded treadplates in each of the door frames highlighting the fact that this ultra-luxe SUV is a bespoke commission. With Bentley making more personal commissions than ever before, the historic luxury brand showcases its own bespoke craftsmanship, and the imaginations and stories of its clients. View All Bentley Bentayga EWBs For Sale Image Source: Bentley

By Tyler Rampersaud – January 30, 2024

The New Peninsula London Luxury Hotel Commissions Four Be...

London’s newest luxury hotel features Bentley’s hybrid SUV. The new Peninsula London hotel in the city’s prestigious Belgravia district is all about luxury, and with its partnership with Bentley, that luxury begins for guests even before they walk through the doors. That’s because a fleet of bespoke Bentley Bentayga Hybrid SUVs drive them through London to get there. Commissioned by Mulliner, the four Bentayga Hybrids boast configurations inspired by the Peninsula’s signature aesthetic and colors. The exterior is primarily finished in the brand’s Peninsula Green, with a subtle coach line in Honey. Unique welcome lights and the placement of the Peninsula logo distinguish the vehicles as well. Configured as Azure trim cars, the luxurious interior focuses on wellness, with beautifully quilted leather seats, glossy Burr Walnut wood trim, and being hybrid vehicles, guests are treated to comfortable and near-silent travel as they glide through the streets of London to the luxurious, five-star Peninsula hotel. Celebrating iconic British design, luxury, and history in the heart of Belgravia, the new Peninsula London hotel made for the perfect partner for Bentley to showcase British luxury at its pinnacle in a similar light with the new fleet of Bespoke Bentayga Hybrid SUVs by Mulliner. View All Bentley Bentaygas For Sale Image Source: Bentley

By Jordan Aquistapace – August 05, 2021

Bentley Delivers A Bespoke Bentayga Hybrid For The Macall...

New, bespoke Bentayga Hybrid delivers clean luxury mobility to The Macallan Estate. Recently, Bentley Motors joined forces with the mastery of wood and spirit Macallan, in pursuit of a more sustainable future. Bentley is returning to The Macallan Estate in Speyside, Scotland to deliver a bespoke Bentayga Hybrid, one of two estate cars to find its permanent residence on the property. Along with the Bentayga Hybrid, Bentley is excited to deliver a matching Flying Spur Hybrid soon to come. Bentley Mulliner has added beautiful, subtle details themed by The Macallan brand to the car, including unique stitching, personalized inlays to wood veneer, and bespoke tread-plates, and LED welcome lamps. MUST-READ: Bentley Motors x Macallan’s Join Forces In Pursuit Of A More Sustainable Future The new electrified Bentayga Hybrid will be charged on-site with newly installed charging ports run entirely by REGO (Renewable Energy Guarantees of Origin) certified renewable electricity, sourced entirely from Wardlaw Wood Wind Farm in Scotland. The car has been specified to seamlessly blend with the colors of The Macallan Estate itself, which is home to a wide and varied natural ecosystem. Exterior paintwork is in Bentley’s rich dark metallic green known as Viridian, complemented by the Black-line Specification which applies a gloss black treatment to all exterior bright-ware. The car rides on 22” Mulliner Driving Specification Black Painted and Bright Machined Wheels. Check back in for coverage on the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid to be delivered next to The Macallan Estate. View All Bentley Bentayga For Sale

By Christina Avila – November 18, 2015

Bentley Debuts Bentayga First Edition in LA

It goes without saying that owning a Bentley has its perks, but the British brand recently took it up a notch this past Monday, November 16. According to a press release from the same day, Bentley treated their most valued customers to an exclusive unveiling of the new Bentayga First Edition.The First Edition made its official debut at a private gathering held at the historic Sunset Marquis Hotel in Los Angeles, California. To further add to the new model’s star power, Bentley promises a limited production of only 608 vehicles. And even though it’s making its mark in the United States, the Bentayga is as British as ever.Seated on black polished 22” wheels, the interior of the Bentayga First Edition is dressed in Union Jack badging and the classic "Diamond within Diamond" quilted contrast stitching. Under the hood lives a 12-cylinder twin-turbocharged W12 engine, capable of producing an aggressive 600 hp and 663 lb-ft of torque. This kind of power explains the sheer speed of the vehicle, which can reach 60 mph in a mere 4 seconds and a top speed of 187.With impressive stats like that, it’s no wonder Bentley claims this is the most powerful SUV in production.We think Bentley Board Member Kevin Rose put it best: “With the First Edition we have created the ultimate expression of the Bentayga’s spirit. It is equipped with an array of striking features that celebrate both the pioneering nature of the Bentayga and its unique abilities.”Bentleys For Sale (via Bentley Motors)

Bentayga

duPont REGISTRY News

duPont REGISTRY Group

Support

Subscribe