KUALA LUMPUR: Bentley Malaysia has announced that it is offering a downsized engine variant for the Bentayga - meet the 4.0-litre V8 version.

Currently available from RM1.56mil (after duties and taxes), the seven-seater V8 has two turbochargers just like its more powerful 600bhp/900Nm W12 variant costing upwards of RM1.8mil.

An eight-speed ZF gearbox has been employed to manage the 3,996cc V8 engine with cylinder deactivation and Star/Stop functionality drinks from an 85-litre fuel tank to produce 550PS at 6,000rpm and 770Nm of torque from 1,960 to 4,500rpm.

The permanent all-wheel drive system with a Torsen centre differential and an open rear differential with an electronic diff lock helps the kerb: 2,388kg (-52kg) luxury sport utility vehicle to sprint from 0 to 100kph in 6.2 seconds (+2.1 seconds) and with a drag coefficient of 0.34 it will reach a top speed of 290kph (-11kph).

Standard options include seven colour choices to drape the Bentayga V8 in, as well as 15 hide colours and nine veneer species. But as an optional extra, there are 100 other colours, or if preferred, a more bespoked option can be entertained - either way new owners will need to spend a considerable amount of time to do all the picking and choosing.

Also on the list of decisions to make are wheel sizes. New owners will need to ascertain whether to go with 20-inch wheels with two finishes and 275/50 Pirelli rubbers or perhaps a larger 21 (285/45) or 22-inch (285/40) option - both with three finishes, will suffice.

Stopping power comes from the front six-piston caliper with 400mm discs and rear 380mm discs, but as an optional extra the iron discs can be replaced with more durable fade-resistant discs made of carbon silicon carbide (CSiC) as an upgrade option that upsizes the front disc to 440mm and a massive 10-piston caliper, while the rear discs gets slightly downsized to 370mm.

The body is suspended by self-levelling air suspension system with Continuous Damping Control and the steering system uses an Electronic Power Assisted Steering system with a variable ratio and a servotronic system.

This might sound like usual, only this time it is a new system that improves the amount of feedback returning to the driver, while providing isolation from steering kickback for on and off-road circumstances.

To have a more sportier drive, might we recommend the optional 48V electric active anti-roll bar?

Fore and aft light sources utilise LED technology, including the front daytime running lights, while the cabin receives a heads-up display and an 8.0-inch central touchscreen with gesture control, navigation with 3D building display, 60GB solid state hard drive, radio, CD/DVD player, text-to-speech, voice recognition, dual SD card slots, dual USB ports, Bluetooth, 4G telephone module and 4G Wifi hotspot.

Two 10-inch Android-based Rear Seat Entertainment tablets can be added to the mix with full connectivity to the vehicle and interweb, integrated webcam and onboard memory as well as a touchscreen remote for the rear cabin.

Audio entertainment comes from the standard 10-speaker six-channel system, which can be upgraded to a 700W 12-speaker Signature Audio system or perhaps a 1800W 18-speaker 18-channel Naim for Bentley Premium Audio system would be more becoming for the Bentayga?

For the cabin, there are three innovative new interior options offered, starting with a high-gloss carbon-fibre finish (usually matt) to replace the traditional veneer surfaces as well as a wood and hide steering wheel and a new Cricket Ball red leather.

For safety, there are six airbags, crash detection and mitigation systems as well as driver assistance technologies that include Night Vision, Park Assist and Traffic Sign Recognition to name a few.

“The Bentayga V8 is the ultimate luxury SUV that delivers an uncompromising Bentley experience both on and off-road. We know this new model will be highly sought after by our customers thanks to its sleek, sporty look, immense power and acceleration,” said Wearnes Quest managing director Jerry Lee.

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