Bentley gauges desire for an off-roading Bentayga with new concept

The Bentley X Concept is “developed to stimulate feedback” from owners about whether there’s a market for an off-road focussed Bentayga, says the British automaker.

Launched at the FAT Ice Race in Zell am See in Austria, the X Concept is based on the fastest variant in the Bentayga lineup, the Speed.

The concept carries over the Speed’s 478kW/850Nm 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8, which is paired with an eight-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, and a 48V electric active anti-roll system.

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To improve suspension travel, the X Concept’s ride height has been jacked up 55mm, increasing ground clearance to 310mm. Bentley says wading depth is now over 550mm.

Compared to the standard Speed, the X Concept is a signficantly wider, and meaner beast. The car’s track has been increased by 120mm, necessitating 40mm wider wheel-arches all around.

Under the flared black arches are Radar Renegade R/T+ 285/50 tyres with 22-inch forged one-piece wheels from Brixton.

The grille, sills, and lower portions of the bumper have been blacked out. Twin towing eyes in dark blue poke out of the front, while out the back there’s an Akrapovic titanium exhaust.

A storage tray with four built-in spotlights has been added to the roof, bringing the car’s overall height to 2.49m. For the concept’s debut in Austria, the tray housed an electric go kart.

There’s no indication yet about when Bentley will decide whether to proceed with a more off-road oriented version of its large SUV.

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