Two more, still partially camouflaged Bentley Bentayga prototypes drove in front of our Erlkönig photographer's lens. With the 2021 model year there is a mild update for the ultra-luxury SUV.
The updated Bentayga is expected to debut in late 2020 or early the following year, which means that we should see it as the 2021 model, with the optimizations refreshing mid-cycle for the SUV that first arrived in 2016 as the 2017 model.
The thick camouflage on the nose and rear of the vehicle suggests that this is more than a slight update. Designers will likely introduce a more eye-catching look that resembles that of the latest Flying Spur, an example of which can be seen on some of the shots as a companion vehicle for the Bentayga prototype. Expect a rounder front section and new, more jewel-like fixtures for the lights at both ends.
According to our photographer, the inside was also heavily camouflaged. A higher quality, more technological dashboard construction similar to that of the Continental GT is likely.
Do not expect major changes to the powertrain design. For the 2020 model year, a V-6-based plug-in hybrid option has just been launched that complements the existing V-8 and W-12 options. There is also the Speed Range topper, whose W-12 spits out a proud 626 horsepower.
At its debut, the Bentayga was criticized for being a bit too simple, which Bentley seems to address with the refresh in the middle of the cycle. Despite the criticism, the vehicle is a huge success: Almost every second sale of the brand in the United States in 2018 and 2019 looks similar.
All photos: self-service media Stefan Baldauf
