The ultimate ‘Chelsea Tractor’ will give added supercar cachet to school run mums, as well as drivers heading off-road up mountain terrain – and cost the price of two Range Rovers. 

Photographs, details and video of the British-built 4X4 supercar were issued by Bentley just days before it formally launches the Bentayga at next week’s Frankfurt Motor Show.

Order books are already open for deliveries, which will start early next year. Bentley, based in Crewe, is part of the giant Volkswagen Group, which in the 1990s fought a bitter battle with arch rival BMW for control of the brand that until then was linked with Rolls-Royce.

The new Bentley’s unveiling comes hot on the heels of fellow British luxury car maker Rolls-Royce revealing its new £250,000 Dawn convertible – which it claimed is its sexiest car ever.

Bentley hopes the new Bentayga will prove one of its biggest sellers by capitalising on the boom in luxury 4X4s among the world’s super-rich. 

It will seat four or five - depending on choice. It is powered by a vast 6-litre 600bhp twin-turbo-charged W12 TSI engine – equivalent to six Ford Fiestas – linked to an eight speed ZF automatic gear-box and with permanent all-wheel drive. 

Blistering performance means it will accelerate from rest to 62mph in just 4.1 seconds with a top speed of 187mph.

But average fuel consumption is just 22mpg and CO2 emissions are high at 292g/km. Drivers can turn a dial to set up the car for different on or off-road terrains.

For owners attending outdoor social events there’s a hands-free tailgate and optional folding event seat.

At launch there’s even a Mulliner Hamper Set complete with refrigerator, bespoke fine Linley china. Cutlery, crystal glass and a storage area for dry goods.

Bentley says: ’For comfort in the great outdoors, sections of the hamper can be removed and used as seats.’ To help get around there’s a compass bearing and altitude display.

Adaptive cruise control and traffic assist to keep set distance from vehicle in front. Hill-descent control helps keep the vehicle from running away on a steep incline.

Navigation system and cameras predicts road ahead and modifies speed. Traffic sign recognition. Infra-red night vision to detect obstacles ahead.

There’s a head up display and 8-inch touch screen ‘infotainment’ system with sat-nav in 30 languages, as well as a removable 10.2 inch Android device for rear passengers and a choice of three sound systems. 

A panoramic glass roof with roller blind comes as standard. Inside the sumptuous interior is a handcrafted cabin in metal, wood veneer and leather. Leather seats come with contrast stitching and quilted diamond design ‘echoing the design of a finely tailored British hunting jacket.’

There are 22-way adjustments to front seats plus six programme massage system, heating and ventilation. The rear seats have 18 settings.

For greater personalisation there are 17 standard exterior paint colours plus up to 90 more bespoke hues, with 15 luxurious carpet options and alloy wheels from 20 inch to 22 inch.

The inspiration is the success of rival luxury off-roaders such as Britain’s Range Rover and Germany’s Porsche Cayenne which, like Bentley, is part of the giant Volkswagen group

(Daily Mail)