Bentley has revealed the facelift Bentayga with the luxury SUV undergoing a much-needed exterior upgrade thanks to head designer JP Gregory.

More than 20,000 Bentaygas have been handcrafted since the car’s launch – more than any of its competitors – with the latest version a combination of a “performance grand tourer, a luxury limousine, a spacious family car and an off-roader” says the British brand.

A new exterior design adopts the Bentley design DNA seen in the Continental GT that was created by Gregory. It also has the latest onboard technology and “an even more cosseting cabin, the new model is significantly revised both inside and out”.

Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, England, the new Bentayga builds further on the outstanding success of its predecessor.

Bentley Motors’ chairman, Adrian Hallmark, said from its launch nearly five years ago, the Bentayga has been the very definition of the luxury SUV.

“Like the Continental GT, the Bentayga created an entirely new part of the market, and since we set the benchmark many others have joined the sector, but no other car can offer a breadth of ability to rival the Bentayga.

“With the new Bentayga, we’re repositioning the pinnacle of the luxury SUV segment to be even higher, even further away from the competition. We’ve listened to our customers and made improvements to the areas most important to them, and the new Bentayga is a thoroughly modern and beautiful extension of the original car’s abilities and achievements.”

The larger, assertive matrix grille is now more upright, while new, intelligent LED matrix headlamp technology includes the signature Bentley design inspired by cut crystal glassware. A more aggressive front bumper emphasises the performance characteristics of the car. Heated, wet-arm windscreen wipers are introduced for the first time, with 22 washer jets in each arm.

At the rear, the new Bentayga has undergone a major transformation, with a total redesign of the rear surfaces including a new full-width tailgate with new encapsulated lamps, while the licence plate has been moved down into the bumper for a cleaner appearance. Wide, split tailpipes leave no doubt that this is a powerful performance car.

A 20 mm increase to the rear track width brings dynamic benefit and repositions the wheels in their arches to improve the car’s stance. The wheels themselves are a new design, unique to Bentayga.

The Bentayga’s interior has been significantly revised in the latest model. Among the major changes are a new centre fascia and steering wheel, new door trims and all-new seats – now available with ventilation in the rear of the five-seat cabin option. Passengers in the rear also enjoy significantly more space, with legroom increased by up to 100mm depending on configuration.

A next generation infotainment system is integrated seamlessly into the handcrafted, Bentley ‘wing’ dashboard design and features a 10.9-inch display screen with edge-to-edge graphics. The all-new digital display includes super high-resolution and dynamic graphics, which are configurable to suit driver preferences.

The new model will initially be launched in Bentayga V8 guise offering supercar performance balanced with everyday usability, with the plug-in Hybrid and W12-powered Speed versions to follow this year. The V8’s 4-litre, twin-turbocharged petrol engine develops an impressive 404kW and 770 Nm of torque.

The original Bentayga was the result of a £840 million investment programme, it created 1500 jobs in the United Kingdom and ensured Bentley was the first luxury brand to offer an SUV.

Gregory, Head of Exterior Design at Bentley Motors, said they spent a long time examining how to improve the proportions and character of the car.

“New Bentayga is still instantly recognisable as a Bentley but now has a much greater road presence. What we have achieved is a significant step forward. New Bentayga is a more self-confident looking SUV from whatever angle you look at the car.

“The prouder grille and higher, more focused elliptical headlights give a much more modern expression - a real statement of intent.”

AutoMuse would like to take credit for that new grille, after we ‘grilled’ Gregory in Singapore at the Continental GT launch and suggested he “fix” the front of the Bentayga. He agreed!

The new grille allows the Bentayga’s bonnet to sweep down to the very edge of the chrome work. This gives the car a more dominant, upright profile and pushes the new LED matrix headlamps further apart, raising them 30mm higher.

The Bentayga’s fine handcrafted cabin has been reimagined for the new model.

Darren Day, Head of Interior Design at Bentley Motors, said: “The interior of Bentayga has always been highly admired for its exceptional build quality, relaxing atmosphere and luxurious ambience.

“Alongside from the more obvious changes to the centre console, seats and door trims, it’s the little features customers may not notice at first that add up to make the difference in the new Bentayga. It might be the new, horizontal grab handle in the door, or the unique seat stitching – each one emphasising how the design team has gone the extra mile. New Bentayga will be a voyage of discovery for our customers.”

Bentley will be offering a plug-in hybrid Bentayga plus a performance-focused Speed model.

The new Bentayga arrives in New Zealand at the beginning of next year.