2017 Bentley Bentayga
We’re not sure which is harder to take; the fact that Bentley is actually selling an SUV, or the fact that it will have tremendous impact on the brand. That has clearly been the case with other luxury makes, where what first appears to be a niche, quickly turns into their best-selling model. So, let’s check out Bentley’s new star, the Bentayga.
The 2017 Bentley Bentayga is certainly one of the most exclusive SUVs money can buy for now; and arrived with perfect timing, with the economy pointing up and luxury consumers once again over- consuming.
But, Bentley did have some help in this momentous effort. The Bentayga’s basic architecture is parent Volkswagen’s MLB platform, which also carries Porsche’s Panamera and Audi’s Q7. However, the Bentayga is more massive than both, at almost 17-feet long.
With that, traditional Bentley lines abound, and seem to translate much better in person, than with any of the prototypes seen on auto show floors.
Both the structure and body panels are mostly aluminum, with steel used only where necessary for crash protection.
On road, that translates to a big SUV that feels thankfully like a much smaller one, as the Bentayga does an amazing job of keeping its composure no matter the speeds or curve radius. All the serenity of prior Bentleys remains fully intact, with perhaps only some minor wind noise a reminder that you’re now in a much squarer box.
A 48-volt electrical system was needed for the Bentley Dynamic Ride electronically controlled, continuously damped, self-leveling air suspension with active anti-roll bars. Set the drive mode to “Bentley” to experience how Bentley engineers would have set up the ride back in the days when only speedy posh was required. Simply dial in Comfort or Sport for its full range of capabilities. Or, come up with your own custom setting. As with all Bentleys, the options are limitless.
Standard is an all-new 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 that not only has the increased output of 600-horsepower and 664 lb-ft. of torque, but it weighs significantly less than the previous 6.0-liter. And after spending some wide open throttle time behind the wheel, it’s even smoother and quieter than before.
All-wheel-drive is another standard, as is the expected ZF 8-speed automatic; towing capacity is 7,700-lbs.
And to round out the impressive facts and figures, we hit 60 in 4.0-seconds flat and cleared the ¼-mile in 12.3 at 116 miles-per-hour.
It pulls like an EV off the line, with a gentlemanly showing of great power and abundant traction; making for the smoothest 12-second trip we’ve ever taken down the strip.
Whether you’re dodging commoners or simply darting through cones as we were, you’ll find steering is a little slow, and this truck’s weight really becomes evident here; but the suspension tightens up nicely, and there’s a solid amount of grip.
Inside, as you might expect, Bentayga’s gorgeous cabin defines extreme comfort, luxury, style, and craftsmanship, notably the extremely precise and exquisite wood work that abounds.
There are of course many other traditional trinkets to impress, like organ stops for the circular vents, and posh, quilted seats that you comfortably sit on top of, not sink down in.
Rear seat room is very comfy and spacious as well, along with a reasonable 17.1 cubic feet of custom luggage space behind it.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 12-City, 19-Highway, and 15-Combined. Our average came in better than expected at 18.1 miles-per-gallon of Premium. Put there’s still a very poor Energy Impact Score of 22.0-barrels of yearly oil use with C02 emissions of 9.9-tons.
Of course, you can expect a hefty price tag as well for this heavy hauler; and if you guessed $235,525, you it hit exactly. Is it worth $150,000 over a Q7 or a Cayenne? Well, if you’ve got the spare cash, why not?
Bentley initially resisted the SUV urge. Now that they’re all in, the 2017 Bentley Bentayga may just be the most prestigious rolling status symbol in recent memory. And due to early orders, Bentley has already upgraded their projected sales figures. Best news of all, it’s very well done, and has ushered in a whole new era for Bentley and for luxury SUVs.
Specifications
- Engine: 6.0 liter
- Horsepower: 600
- Torque: 664 lb-ft.
- 0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds
- 1/4 mile: 12.3 seconds @ 116 mph
- EPA: 12 mpg city / 19 mpg highway
- Energy Impact: 22.0 barrels of oil/yr
- CO2 Emissions: 9.9 tons/yr
2024 Acura TLX Type S
A Grown-Up Sport Sedan Looking To Do Boy Racer Things
While the recent and highly successful relaunch of the Acura Integra has been hogging most of the brand’s headlines, the Integra is not the only sporty car that Acura builds. In fact, it’s the all-wheel-drive TLX Type S that remains Acura’s quickest and best handling sport sedan. Add in numerous updates for 2024 and it clearly demands our attention once again.
We are indeed looking closer at this updated 2024 Acura TLX Type S sport sedan and noticing quite a few changes. For starters, it’s one very aggressive looking four-door. Most of that due to the Type S upgrades which include a front splitter, rear spoiler and diffuser, big quad exhaust tips, Brembo brakes, and 20-inch wheels, though all TLXs get updated front fascias and grillwork for ’24.
Inside the tech-heavy interior, things look and feel great with upscale materials and fine stitching. A new 12-inch Precision Cockpit Digital Instrument cluster, ELS Premium Audio, wireless phone charging, and ambient lighting are now standard on all TLXs.
The upgraded infotainment screen grows from 10- to 12-inches and features faster processing, though after spending a year with an Integra and its touchscreen, having to use the touchpad interface here in the TLX is a clear step back in terms of functionality. Updates specific to the Type S include a surround view camera and a 10.5-inch Head Up Display. And there’s no taking a back seat to luxury in the back seat of the TLX; plenty of comfort and space for adults, plus some new charging ports.
A 272-horsepower 2.0-liter I4 turbo comes in the standard TLX, but thankfully the Type S’s fire-breathing 3.0-liter turbo V6 is still under the hood here, putting out 355 horsepower and 354 lb-ft of torque. No changes for either engine, but we’ll take that as a great thing these days. And there may not be any additional power, but there is sharper throttle response in Sport+ mode than before, so it will give you the impression that you’re working with a little more. Transmission remains a 10-speed automatic with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Super-Handling All-Wheel-Drive is standard with the Type S and A-Spec, only the base TLX remains front-wheel-drive only.
Spring maintenance was still in progress at our test track and things weren’t quite fully prepped for the season just yet, so the Type S’s all-wheel-drive traction was much appreciated; as it allowed us to pounce off the line and rip to 60 in just 5.0 seconds flat, a tenth quicker than the last Type S we tested in ’21. It ripped through first and second gears quickly, before settling down a bit as it worked its way to the end of the quarter-mile in 13.5 seconds at 104 mph.
And there may not be any additional power, but there is sharper throttle response in Sport+ mode than before, so it will give you the impression that you’re working with a little more.
While far from a noisy car, Acura has installed some thicker carpet to quell what little road noise was apparently seeping in. Thankfully, they didn’t do anything to dampen engine or exhaust noises, as they sound fantastic.
This TLX scooted through our cone course quite efficiently, behaving as if on the proverbial set of rails. Type S tuning includes additional bracing for the chassis, plus firmer settings for the adaptive dampers that are part of the double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension.
Acura’s SH-AWD has been torque-vectoring power between all four wheels since long before that was commonplace; and its technical heavy-handedness is evident, as while it was slicing through the exercise with precision, it wasn’t always obvious how it was all happening. The Brembo brakes felt great, and were fade-free, but at 125 feet from 60 mph, stops were closer to family sedan territory than the typical sport sedan.
But there’s no skimping on active safety here, with full Acura Watch features including Lane Keeping Assist, Collision Mitigation Braking, Road Departure Mitigation, and Advanced Pedestrian Detection standard on all TLXs.
Government Fuel Economy Ratings are 19-City, 25-Highway, and 21-Combined; we averaged a good 23.6 mpg of Premium. That’s a slightly below average Energy Impact Score; using 14.2-barrels of oil yearly, while emitting 6.9-tons of CO2.
A simplified pricing structure now leaves you with three TLX choices, Technology, A-Spec, and Type S; things start at $46,195; this Type S will set you back $58,195.
Is it worth it? Well, it all depends on what your priorities are. If you’re looking for a super comfy luxury commuter, then probably not. But, if you’re looking for a superior driver’s car, with the most performance you can get in an Acura sedan, and plan on putting it to good use, then the 2024 Acura TLX Type S is absolutely worth it.
Specifications
- Engine: 3.0-liter turbo V6
- Horsepower: 355
- 0-60 mph: 5.0 seconds
- 60-0 Braking: 125 feet (avg)
- MW Fuel Economy: 23.6 mpg (Premium)
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Torque: 354 lb-ft.
- 1/4 Mile: 13.5 seconds at 104 mph
- EPA: 19 City | 25 Highway | 21 Combined