如果W.O.宾利先生得知以他的名字命名的公司正在生产号称“世上最快、最强大、最奢华、最高端的SUV”，他一定会非常感兴趣。除了最初的汽油车版本，全新的宾利Bentayga还在2015年法兰克福车展上向公众展示了这一车型的柴油车版和插电式混合动力车版，并且，这两个版本都已“列入生产日程表”。

在勒芒耐力赛上，在世界上最尊贵的展厅中，宾利先生都曾见证过他的爱车闪亮登场，大获成功。这些作品是技术（增压跑车）与超高端造型和内室的完美结合。现在，一台搭载6.0-L 447-kW (600-hp)的W12发动机的四轮驱动Bentayga正在沙丘中驰骋，在冻湖上竞速。

Bentayga经历了超过100万英里（160万公里）的测试。“测试内容极为详尽，”宾利整车工程主管Cameron Paterson表示。“无论做了多少实验室测试，都仍需要让车辆接受各种条件的室外测试。我们的室外测试温度最低为零下30摄氏度，最高达到53摄氏度（-22至+127华氏度），尽管许多客户并不会真的把车开到沙丘里去，我们还是设置了如此高的温度！此外，我们还在一些封闭的测试道路上完成了高速耐久性测试，其中包括长时段。最高速度（301 km/h）的冲刺测试。”

Bentayga最初在2012年以SUV概念车的形式亮相，但公众反应平平，因此该车型随后进行了大幅度的造型修改。最终成品带有许多宾利车的标志性元素，以适应该车型富有的潜在顾客相对保守的口味。

Bentayga属于在全球刚刚兴起的顶级高端SUV，同样属于这一级别的还有兰博基尼（与宾利同为大众旗下品牌）和劳斯莱斯，这些品牌的生产成本与高端形象，让其他高级SUV相形见绌。

宾利工程主管Rolf Frech在谈论Bentayga时表示：“这辆车定义了宾利的未来。通过它，我们在发动机、底盘和电子系统等领域都跨出了一大步。”这些都是未来宾利车型的技术风向标。

Bentayga的车身为大众集团定制的MLB-EVO架构，主要材料为铝合金。该架构曾被用于制作奥迪Q7的车身，还将用于大众的其他车型，其中包括下一代保时捷卡宴。汽车整备质量为2422 kg (5340 lb)，其中复合材料的使用减轻了236 kg (520 lb)的重量。

Bentayga总长为5141-mm (202.4-in)，宽度1998-mm (78.7-in)，高度1742-mm (68.6-in)，轴距为2992-mm (117.8-in)。

48V系统

Bentayga产品线总监Peter Guest表示：“这款车的底盘（悬架包括一个有四个双叉骨的前悬架、梯形多连杆后悬架、自调平空气系统和连续缓冲控制装置）是一个从零开始打造的全新产品，其中有一个非常新颖的主动滚动控制装置。”该装置使用了一个48V的系统来提供“安静的瞬时反应，以及应对所有路面所需的驾驶员手动操控性能。”

这辆全新的SUV采用宾利的动态驾乘（Dynamic Ride）技术。宾利将传统的防滚杆视作一种在车身控制与驾驶员舒适度之间的平衡手段。但宾利的主动和反应系统却可以提供可变的抗扭强度，因此Bentayga“既可以保持极高的动态驾驶性能，也可以让所有乘员在任何时候感到舒适。”

车轮的标准尺寸为20寸，客户也可选配21寸或22寸，轮胎由倍耐力提供。前后制动器均使用通风铁质制动盘，前制动盘尺寸400-mm (15.7-in)，后制动盘为380-mm (15.0-in)。

与目前使用的W12传动系统相比，这个“专为Bentayga打造”的英国制发动机效率高了11.9%，尺寸更短，重量也轻了30 kg (66 lb)左右。发动机为纵向安装，同时使用直喷与非直喷模式，两种模式的转换取决于行驶中对功率或扭矩的要求。

发动机设计部经理Ian Malpas称，他们打造的涡轮增压器能够尽可能缩地短反应时间：“转速从1250升至4500rpm时，扭矩为900 N·m，功率输出447 kW，这意味着Bentayg拥有SUV中性能最高的发动机。而且它的排气也是可变式的；左边气缸组的进气阀、排气阀、燃料和点火都可以关闭，好让右气缸组的运行更高效。”

这些技术共同成就了292 g/km的二氧化碳排放值，以及12.8 L/100 km（欧盟循环）和16 mpg（美国环保署EPA循环）的综合燃油消耗量——这些数据都符合该车型级别的认证标准。

Bentayga的变速箱为ZF八速自动变速箱。在第5至第8档位上，如果油门压力足够轻，那么扭矩转换器就会启动，让发动机进入怠速状态以提高效率，大众将该状态称为“航行”状态。当车辆侦测到下坡或当油门开启时，齿轮将重新啮合。此外，Bentayga的全轮驱动系统也得到了改善，可以更好地配好高扭矩和非公路驾驶情形。

Bentayga的百公里加速时间为4.1秒。

电子驾驶辅助功能包括传统的稳定性、牵引力、下坡控制和泊车辅助等。

Bentayga产品线主管Peter Guest补充到：“这辆车还安装了一系列传感器，可以提供实时环境信息。它们可以帮助车辆停车、保持车道、在低速路况中避免事故等。车上还安装了一个带有红外摄像头的夜视系统，车内显示屏上可以显示出前大灯范围之外的潜在危险，如路上的行人和动物等。”

内幕

与大多数车辆不同的是，新宾利用内饰来定义它的地位。

定制宾利车提供商Mulliner Operations的主管Geoff Dowding做出如下解释：“在研发阶段，我们曾与500名客户进行了一对一交谈。他们每个人想法都很不一样，而且都想在Bentayga身上得到属于自己的体验。因此，我们不仅有提高驾驶体验的技术，我们还能推出一整套适合不同生活方式的功能。”

Bentayga的内饰面由宾利工匠手工制作，并有七种选择。仪表板上醒目的宾利翅膀标志，是用手工制成的金属工具雕刻而成的。有些控制按键甚至还有滚花。

前方座椅有22种调节方式和6种按摩程度。所有座椅都是由来自欧洲寒冷地带的“顶级牛皮革”制作而成。另有一个七座版可供客户选择。

车上装有平视显示仪和一个全新的8英寸触屏，在其背后是一个控制着车内主要功能的60GB硬盘。后座有一个远程触屏，可用来控制座椅、空调和其他功能。宾利娱乐平板（Bentley Entertainment Tablet）是一块可拆卸的10.2英寸安卓平板电脑，可支持4G、WiFi和蓝牙。

全新的音响系统中包含一台功率几乎高达1950 W的设备。

带有声学夹层玻璃的敞开式全景天窗占据车顶60%的面积，而且这是该车型的标配之一。宾利形容道：“各个部分之间的间隙都经过了一丝不苟的修整。”

到2016年上旬上市之时，宾利将提供针对6种风格的规格套餐，其中包括2种车身造型。除此之外，Bentayga还配备了宾利史上最全面的配件，如负重助力托盘和湿式齿轮装载等。

和宾利的所有车型一样，Mulliner 还能为Bentayga提供更多的定制化服务，如定制的“百年灵Mulliner陀飞轮”机械钟，由一个专用的车内高精度装置定期敲响。这只钟以纯金打造，钟面有珍珠母和黑乌木两种选择，上面镶嵌钻石。

这才是真正的奢华。

作者：Stuart Birch

来源：SAE《汽车工程杂志》

翻译：SAE 上海办公室

Bentley takes SUV to super premium level

W. O. Bentley would have been intrigued and certainly impressed that the company bearing his name is producing what it claims as the “fastest, most powerful, most luxurious, and most exclusive SUV in the world.” In addition to the initial gasoline version, diesel and plug-in hybrids of the new Bentley Bentayga, getting its first public viewing at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, are also on the “to do” list.

He saw his cars achieve success both at Le Mans and in the world’s most prestigious showrooms, mixing technology (supercharged sports cars) and ultra-premium styling with cabin ambience. Now, the W12 6.0-L 447-kW (600-hp) all-wheel drive 301-km/h (187-mph) Bentayga adds the ability to blast a Bentley across sand dunes and race over frozen lakes.

The Bentayga was tested over more than 1 million mi (1.6 million km). “Testing has been extremely thorough,” said Cameron Paterson, Bentley’s Director of Whole Vehicle Engineering. “However much chamber testing is done, you can’t beat taking the car out and testing it properly under a very wide variety of conditions: for us, -30° to over +53°C (-22° to over +127°F), [though not a lot of our] customers will drive this car in sand dunes! We also completed a high-speed durability course on closed test tracks including at top speed (301 km/h) for extended periods.”

First seen as an SUV concept in 2012, but extensively aesthetically changed after a “so-so” general reaction, the production car carries strong styling cues of its siblings to better meet the relatively conservative tastes of its moneyed potential buyers.

The Bentayga enters the top level of the globally burgeoning premium SUV sector that will see offerings from Lamborghini (like Bentley a Volkswagen Group company) and Rolls-Royce, that in terms of cost and its associated image projection, will overshadow SUVs that currently carry a premium label.

Rolf Frech, Bentley’s Engineering Director, said of the Bentayga: “It defines the future for Bentley. With this car, we take big, big steps on the engine, the chassis, the electronics.” It will put down the markers for the technology of all future Bentley models.

The car is aluminum-intensive and has a bespoke version of the VW Group’s MLB-EVO architecture, that has already been applied to the Audi Q7 and will be used for other VW Group models, including the next generation Porsche Cayenne. Curb weight is 2422 kg (5340 lb), Bentley estimating weight savings via use of composite materials to be 236 kg (520 lb).

Dimensions include a 5141-mm (202.4-in) length, 1998-mm (78.7-in) width, 1742-mm (68.6-in) height, and 2992-mm (117.8-in) wheelbase.

48-V system

Peter Guest, Product Line Director for Bentayga, stated: “The chassis (suspension includes four double wishbones front; trapezoidal multi-link rear, self-leveling air system, Continuous Damping Control) is all new from ground up, and includes a very innovative active roll control.” This uses a 48-V system to provide “silent, instantaneous responses and sufficient power on hand to deal with all road surfaces."

The new SUV introduces Bentley Dynamic Ride. The company regards use of conventional anti-roll bars as a compromise between body control and comfort. But Bentley’s adaptive and reactive system provides variable torsional resistance to allow the Bentayga to be "both dynamically capable and comfortable for all occupants at all times.”

Wheels are 20 in standard, 21 or 22 in optional, fitted with Pirelli tires. Brakes are 400-mm (15.7-in) ventilated iron discs front, 380-mm (15.0-in) ventilated iron rear.

The UK-built engine, described as having been “specifically designed” for the car, delivers an 11.9% efficiency improvement, is shorter, and about 30 kg (66 lb) lighter compared to the existing W12 powertrain. It is positioned longitudinally, and it uses both direct and indirect fuel injection, switching between them depending on power or torque requirements.

Ian Malpas, Functional Manager, Engine Design, explained that turbos have been engineered to minimize response time: “There is 900 N·m of torque from 1250 to 4500 rpm and 447 kW output to make this the highest performing engine in any SUV. It has variable displacement; intake and exhaust valves, fuel, and ignition are switched off on the left-hand cylinder bank to enable the right-hand bank to run in a far more efficient operational mode.”

All this helps towards a 292 g/km CO2 figure and combined fuel consumption of 12.8 L/100 km (EU cycle) and 16 mpg (combined, U.S. EPA cycle)—both numbers subject to type approval.

The transmission is a ZF eight-speed automatic. In 5th to 8th gear, when pressure on the accelerator pedal eases sufficiently, the torque converter is opened, facilitating the engine to idle, creating what the VW Group terms “sailing” for improved efficiency. It re-engages if the car detects a road downgrade or if the throttle is opened. The car’s AWD system has been strengthened to better cope with the high torque figure and off-road driving.

Performance figures include a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) time of 4.1 s.

Electronic driver-assist features include the typical stability, traction, and hill-descent control and park assist.

Peter Guest, Bentayga Product Line Director, added: “The car has an array of sensors to provide real-time information about the environment it is in. It can park, stay in lane, avoid accidents in low-speed traffic. It also has a night vision system with infrared camera that displays on a cabin screen hazards that are beyond the range of the headlights, such as pedestrians and animals in the road.”

Inside story

More than most other cars, it is the interior that defines the new Bentley’s status.

Geoff Dowding, Director, of Mulliner Operations (which focuses on delivering bespoke and coach-built Bentleys), explained: “During development we spoke to over 500 customers on a one-to-one basis. What we learned from that is that they are all very different individuals who all want an individual type of experience with the Bentayga. So we have technologies that enhance the driving experience, and a whole suite of features which enable different lifestyles.”

The car has hand-selected veneers (a choice of seven) shaped by Bentley’s artisans. The dashboard, which takes Bentley’s wing motif as its visual cue, is highly polished with hand-crafted metal elements. Some controls are knurled.

Front seats have 22-way adjustment and six-program massage. All seats are of “finest bull hides” sourced from cool European climates. A seven-seat variant is planned.

The car has head-up display and a new 8-in touchscreen controlling a 60-GB hard drive that controls the major functions in the vehicle. In the rear is a touch screen remote that can control seats, air conditioning, and many other features. The Bentley Entertainment Tablet provides a removable 10.2-in Android device with 4G, WiFi, and Bluetooth.

New levels of sound system include one with almost 1950 W of power.

An opening panoramic glass roof with acoustic interlays, covering about 60% of the roof area, is standard. The company speaks of “meticulous tolerances between elements of trim.

Six lifestyle-orientated specification packages will be available when the car goes on sale early in 2016, including two styling packs. In addition to these options, the Bentayga is available with the widest range of lifestyle accessories ever offered by Bentley brand, such as the load-assist tray and wet-gear stowage.

As with all Bentleys, the Bentayga can also be given added individuality by craftspeople at Mulliner. A bespoke mechanical “Mulliner Tourbillon by Breitling” clock can be specified, automatically wound periodically by a dedicated high-precision mechanism within the car. It is machined in solid gold, with a choice of either mother-of-pearl or black ebony face and decorated with diamonds.

That really is premium.

Author: Stuart Birch

Source: SAE Automotive Engineering Magazine