Bentley Motors is extending both the visual impact and dynamic ability of the Bentayga even further through its Mulliner bespoke division, with the launch of a global 20-car collection named the Apex Edition. Featuring ultra-strong, lightweight 22” Mulliner carbon wheels teamed with carbon ceramic brakes, it will be offered in a choice of six unique specifications curated by Mulliner’s design team. All include a central painted livery stripe extending over bonnet and roof, a first for the Bentayga. Even rarer will be a specification offered only to owners of the Continental GT Le Mans Edition who will be able to commission an Apex Edition Bentayga in matching trim and livery.
With 550 PS and a specification that includes active anti roll and rear-wheel steering, the Bentayga S is the sporting flagship of Bentley’s luxury SUV line-up. Now the Bentayga Apex Edition delivers even greater agility and braking performance thanks to its carbon wheels and carbon ceramic brakes, making it the most dynamic-looking and driving Bentayga ever.
The most dynamic Bentayga ever
The Apex Edition is based on the Bentayga S, which features Bentley’s potent 4.0-litre, twin-scroll turbocharged V8 petrol engine. This develops 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft. (770 Nm) of torque, with a 0-60 mph (0–100 km/h) time of 4.4 (4.5) seconds and a top speed of 180 mph (290 km/h). With Bentley Dynamic Ride active anti-roll control and rear-wheel steering fitted as standard, its exhilarating performance is enhanced by the sound of its free-flowing sports exhaust.
These dynamic characteristics are further enhanced by the Apex Edition’s 22” Mulliner carbon wheels, which were developed specifically for Bentayga in collaboration with specialists Bucci Composites. Together, the four wheels save 24 kg in unsprung mass. Carbon fibre not only provides a significant weight saving, but also offers the additional benefits of increased strength and stiffness. This leads to a number of fundamental benefits:
- Increased steering agility – the 6 kg weight saving and the high stiffness afforded by the properties of carbon fibre mean a more stable and consistent steering platform. In comparison, a forged aluminium rim can lose up to a degree of camber due to wheel flex, reducing grip and agility.
- Improved and more responsive braking – thanks to the decrease in unsprung mass.
- Increased safety – when the rim receives a high impact, the weave pulls apart leaving openings to allow gradual air loss rather than instant deflation like an aluminium rim.
- Reduced tyre wear – Since the stiffer carbon rim does not suffer from the same amount of bending, it allows for greater tyre stability and a more consistent contact patch thanks to a larger tyre support surface.
Braking performance is also enhanced, with Carbon-Silicon-Carbide (CSiC) discs a part of the Apex Edition’s uncompromising specification. These provide a weight saving of more than 20 kg over iron disc brakes, offer a maximum braking torque of 6,000 Nm and are engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1,000 °C.
Six curated themes by Mulliner
The first of the six Mulliner themes features an exterior in striking Candy Red satin, with a livery of Anthracite and Arctic White stripe and pinstripes in Arctic White. Inside, Arctic White main hide and Hotspur secondary hide are complemented by Arctic White contrast stitching and seat piping. This contrast colour can also be found framing the satin carbon fibre fascia and waistrails.
Apex Edition theme two sets a darker, stealthier mood, with Anthracite exterior finish and gloss black livery stripe. Pinstripes in Mandarin provide a flash of contrast. Inside, Mandarin is revealed as the main hide, its dramatic impact framed by Beluga secondary hide. This shade also frames the satin carbon fibre veneer and overmats.
Design theme three has a bold exterior finish in Orange Flame and uses the same colour as a livery stripe on the carbon fibre body kit. Rather than a contrasting stripe colour, this design features an Orange Flame livery stripe in satin finish, creating a subtle tonal variation. Inside, Linen main hide and Newmarket Tan secondary hide are complemented by an accent hide in Charcoal, which appears on the seat wings and contrast stitching, steering wheel, and centre console.
Design theme four also features a subtle livery stripe in a satin version of the main exterior finish, in this case Alpine Green. An orange pinstripe traces the outline of the aerodynamic components. Inside, the prevalent tones are Portland and Cumbrian Green for the main and secondary hides respectively. Accents of orange appear on the contrast stitching, seat piping, veneer edging as well as on the console and steering wheel.
Theme five features an exterior in Pale Brodgar, with an Anthracite livery stripe and pinstriping in Bacalar Bronze, a shade originally created for Bentley Mulliner’s ultimate two-seat barchetta. Inside, the hide colours Linen and Porpoise set a relaxed mood, lifted by flashes of Bacalar Bronze in the contrast seat piping as well as on the steering wheel and console accent tabs.
The last design theme features an exterior finish of Extreme Silver, contrasted by a Beluga stripe running centrally along bonnet and roof. Painted pinstripes in Signal Yellow flank the body stripe and the lower edge of the aero components. Inside, Signal Yellow main hide and Beluga secondary hide create a dramatic contrast.
