Bentley Motors has taken the wraps off an aggressive new version of its luxury SUV that's designed to go where no Bentley has gone before. The British automaker unveiled the Bentayga X Concept at the FAT Ice Race in Zell Am See, Austria, showcasing what happens when you combine British luxury with serious off-road capability.
Image credit: Bentley Motors
The concept vehicle made its debut on a frozen lake, immediately demonstrating that this isn't your typical country club Bentley. Built on the foundation of the Bentayga Speed, the X Concept has been extensively modified by Bentley's engineers to handle terrain that would make most luxury SUV owners break out in a cold sweat.
Serious Engineering Upgrades
The transformation starts with the fundamentals. Bentley's team widened the vehicle's track by 120 millimeters, which translates to nearly five inches of additional stance. They also cranked up the air suspension by 55 millimeters, giving it an extra 2.17 inches of ground clearance. When you add it all up, the Bentayga X Concept now sits a full 12.2 inches off the ground.
Image credit: Bentley Motors
That increased clearance isn't just for show. The concept can plow through water up to 550 millimeters deep – that's more than 21 inches of wading capability. For comparison, that's deep enough to submerge most car wheels entirely.
The power comes from the same engine found in the Bentayga Speed: a four-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 that produces 650 horsepower. That substantial power gets distributed to all four wheels through a permanent four-wheel drive system mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The vehicle also features Bentley's Dynamic Ride technology, which uses active anti-roll bars to keep things stable when the terrain gets rough.
Built for the Elements
The exterior modifications are immediately noticeable. The design team had to stretch the wheelarches by 40 millimeters to accommodate the wider track, giving the SUV a more muscular, purposeful appearance. Rolling stock consists of 22-inch wheels from Brixton, wrapped in Radar Renegade R/T + all-terrain tires – the kind of rubber designed for serious off-road work rather than smooth pavement.
Image credit: Bentley Motors
Up top, a substantial roof rack adds cargo-carrying capability for equipment and gear. Four additional spotlights have been integrated into the front end to illuminate the path ahead when standard headlights won't cut it. The front bumper sports a pair of towing eyes, practical hardware that allows the Bentayga to either extract other vehicles from difficult situations or be pulled out itself when things go sideways.
At the rear, Bentley fitted a titanium exhaust system from Akrapovic, a company known for high-performance exhaust components. This upgrade likely improves both sound and performance while reducing weight.
Testing on Ice
For its Austrian debut, the Bentayga X Concept came equipped with something unexpected: a Bambino Go Kart strapped to the roof rack. This entry-level racing kart is used in the FAT Karting League and allows children as young as five years old to begin their racing careers on ice tracks.
Image credit: Bentley Motors
The concept vehicle didn't just sit still for photos at the FAT Ice Race. It actually ran demonstration laps on the ice circuit in Austria, showing that all those modifications translate to real capability. Bentley plans to continue showcasing the vehicle at the FAT Ice Race event in Big Sky, Montana, scheduled for February 27-28.
Gauging Customer Interest
This isn't simply a one-off show vehicle destined to gather dust in Bentley's heritage collection. The automaker has stated that the Bentayga X Concept was developed specifically to "stimulate and gain feedback" from customers. In other words, Bentley is testing the waters to see if there's genuine demand for an off-road-focused version of their luxury SUV.
If the response proves positive, the company could put a version into limited production. There's precedent for this approach. Back in 2020, Bentley did something similar with the Bentayga Pikes Peak, a special edition commemorating the SUV's hill climb record. That model went into limited production following positive customer reception.
A New Direction for Luxury
The Bentayga X Concept represents an interesting shift in thinking for luxury brands. While Bentley has always emphasized performance and capability, the modifications seen here go well beyond what most luxury SUV owners would ever use. The vehicle seems aimed at customers who want genuine off-road ability without sacrificing the refinement and prestige associated with the Bentley name.
The question now is whether enough customers exist who want to take their six-figure British luxury SUV through deep water and over rough terrain. The SUV market has certainly shown appetite for vehicles that can do more than shuttle between office and home. Overlanding and adventure travel have grown significantly in popularity, with more people seeking vehicles that can take them off the grid in comfort.
The Bentayga X Concept suggests Bentley believes there's room in the market for a luxury SUV that can genuinely go anywhere. With 650 horsepower, nearly a foot of ground clearance, and all the craftsmanship Bentley is known for, it would certainly be a unique offering in the luxury off-road segment.
Whether this remains a concept or moves into production will depend largely on how customers respond. Those interested in seeing the vehicle in action will have another opportunity at the Montana ice races later this month. For now, the Bentayga X Concept stands as Bentley's statement that British luxury can indeed venture far off the beaten track.
