Bentley Bentayga X Concept: More Than Ice Racing

Bentley unveils the Bentayga X Concept, an elevated off-road version of its luxury SUV. Built on the Bentayga Speed platform with its 650-hp biturbo V8, it boasts +55 mm of ground clearance and +120 mm of track widening. The concept will be tested at the FAT Ice Race in Austria, with possible production if the reception proves favorable.

"The track has been widened by 120 mm to increase stability, requiring a 40 mm modification to the wheel arches" — Bentley Technical Statement

The Bentley Bentayga was never meant to scramble over rocks or ford rivers. Yet the Crewe manufacturer has just pulled the wraps off a prototype that changes the equation: the Bentayga X Concept. This all-terrain version of the British SUV pushes the boundaries well beyond asphalt.

A 650-Horsepower V8 in Service of Adventure

Under the hood, no surprises: Bentley has kept the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 from the Bentayga Speed. The 650 horsepower and 850 Nm of torque are channeled to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Supercar power at the service of an SUV that wants to play adventurer.

The air suspension and original anti-roll bars are retained but raised by 55 mm. This lift, combined with all-terrain rubber on 22-inch Brixton forged wheels, brings ground clearance to over 310 mm. For context, a Land Rover Defender manages 291 mm in high-riding mode.

Modifications That Don't Fake It

The transformation goes far beyond a cosmetic body kit. The track has been widened by 120 mm to improve stability on soft ground. This structural change meant enlarging the wheel arches by 40 mm. The upshot? Fording depth increased to 55 cm—that's 5 cm better than the standard version.

On the roof sits a roof rack hosting four additional spotlights and... an electric kart from the FAT Karting League. A nod to the project partner, FAT International, which organizes the FAT Ice Race in Austria where the concept will be put through its paces.

Production in the Cards?

Chris Harris, former Autocar journalist turned TV presenter, will take the wheel of the prototype at the Austrian event. His mission: tow Norwegian skier Hedvig Wessel, a two-time Olympian, across the frozen lake at Zell am See.

But the exercise transcends mere marketing theater. According to Bentley, this concept aims to "explore the potential of a more off-road-focused Bentayga" and "stimulate customer feedback." Translation: if the reception is positive, a production version could follow.

When Might It Arrive in Showrooms?

No timeline has been announced for possible commercialization. Bentley is for now simply gauging market reaction to this prototype. The brand is clearly riding the current wave of enthusiasm for luxury all-terrain SUVs, a segment already populated by the Mercedes G-Class and its 900 mm fording depth.

The Bentayga X Concept would inevitably cost more than the Speed, priced at €284,000 in France. The real question is whether Bentley's clientele is willing to trade some refinement for capable-adventurer credentials. The coming months will tell if this concept crosses the finish line into production.

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