Queen gears up for Bentley 4x4: Her Majesty set to be first person to collect sought-after new model after driving prototype on Balmoral estate 

  • Queen was bowled over by Bentley's new £160,000 Bentayga 4x4 
  • Said to be 'most powerful and exclusive sports utility vehicle in the world'
  • The car will be used for hunting and deer stalking expeditions on estate 

By Josh White For The Daily Mail

Published: 18:53 EST, 17 September 2015 | Updated: 21:04 EST, 17 September 2015

Queen Elizabeth was bowled over by the 187-mph Bentayga after she put a prototype through its paces across the rugged terrain of her Balmoral estate

Queen Elizabeth was bowled over by the 187-mph Bentayga after she put a prototype through its paces across the rugged terrain of her Balmoral estate

The Queen will be first in line to receive one of Bentley’s sought-after new 4x4s as she prepares to ditch her iconic green Land Rover.

Queen Elizabeth was bowled over by the 187-mph Bentayga after she put a prototype through its paces across the rugged Aberdeenshire terrain of her Balmoral estate just a few weeks ago.

The Bentayga, which costs £160,000, is said to be the ‘the most powerful, luxurious, and exclusive sports utility vehicle in the world’ – in stark contrast to the stripped-back Land Rover Defender she normally favours.

The vehicle – which features a six-litre twin-turbo-charged engine – will now be used for hunting and deer stalking expeditions across her sprawling Scottish estate.

As a British Royal Warrant holder, Bentley presented the Queen with a Bentley State Limousine for her Golden Jubilee in 2002 and a Bentley Mulsanne is also among her fleet.

And this week, Bentley CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer confirmed the Bentayga had also received Royal assent.

‘We have reserved the number one car for her,' he said at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Bentley President Michael Winkler proudly told Bloomberg that the Queen had ‘decided to test drive it a few weeks ago – one of the prototypes – and she will now use it for her hunting expeditions’.

The luxurious interior boasts leather seats, which feature stitching and a quilted diamond design, in an apparent nod to the traditional tweed outfits often sported by the Windsors.

The Royal Household’s hunt for new car may have been prompted by Land Rover’s shock decision to end production of the Defender.

But following an outraged clamour, the firm is now ‘exploring’ ways to sustain the motoring classic by producing it outside of the UK.

The Queen is expected to use the £160,000 vehicle for hunting and deer stalking on the estate

The Queen is expected to use the £160,000 vehicle for hunting and deer stalking on the estate

A spokesman for Bentley said: ‘Bentley Motors has a long standing relationship with the Royal Family, and is proud to be Warrant Holders to both HM The Queen and HRH The Prince of Wales.

‘As part of this relationship, we try to inform The Royal Household of product developments before they are made public, and had the pleasure of presenting Bentley Bentayga in advance of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.’

‘We will continue to supply motor cars to the Royal Family as and when needed.’

 

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