BLACK GOLD

Dark trim options on the Bentley Bentayga bring a modern edge to the luxury SUV.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Dark trim options on the Bentley Bentayga bring a modern edge to the luxury SUV.

For a while now, Bentley has been attracting a broader clientele. No longer is the Flying B content with ferrying the pipe-smoking, tweed-jacketed, old-monied aristocrats from tea at Claridges to fox hunts at the country manor. The luxury British motoring icon is aiming to be the transport of choice for tech entrepreneurs and self-made millionaires in their 30s, who might even dispense with the chauffeur and pilot the car themselves.

In its latest salvo to cater to the latter segment, Bentley now offers fewer traditional design options, such as the Blackline and Styling Specifications, in select models in the range including the Bentayga V8. 

The Blackline Specification replaces the exterior stainless steel brightware, from the radiator grille and headlamp surrounds to the side vents and lower body trim, with a black gloss for a sportier look.

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UPPING THE COOL STAKES

Black carbon fibre parts add new age pizzazz to a stately car.

The Styling Specification adds lightweight, high-gloss black carbon fibre to parts such as the wing mirror housings, side steps and rear spoiler. Like the exquisite wood trim and its grain, every piece has its weave pattern mirror-matched. Customers can order the car with either or both specifications.

Launched last year, the Bentayga V8 features a 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged V8 petrol engine that is good for 542 bhp, propelling the luxury SUV to a top speed of 290 kmh. Bentley Singapore, 45 Leng Kee Road. Tel: 6378 2628.

www.singapore.bentleymotors.com

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- Elon Musk, Tesla CEO, to investor David Einhorn, one of Tesla’s toughest critics, who accused him of fraud. Musk references a jab he has used with short sellers who bet against the company’s stock performance.

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EVERYBODY LOVES SUVS

This year’s most anticipated 4x4, the high-riding Aston Martin DBX, has finally been unveiled. The car was shown last month in Singapore, revealing its DB11-inspired grille at the front and curved thin rear LED, a la Vantage. In person, the proportions come across more coupe-like than SUV, thanks to the “golden” 1:2 ratio between the window and the rest of the door. But that is deceptive, because interior room is astounding even for six-footers. Together with the 632-litre trunk, this is one Aston Martin you would not hesitate to bring on a long road trip. 

Wearnes Automotive, 45 Leng Kee Road. Tel: 6430 4888

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SX6Y!

For a self-styled “sports activity vehicle”, what is in effect the coupe version of the BMW X5 has widely been fat-shamed for looking too rotund for its athletic ambitions. But the designers for the third generation X6 have largely fixed that, with sportier proportions – longer and wider but shorter – and a tidier backside, thanks to those streamlined tail lamps. Two variants are available in Singapore, the 340hp straight-six xDrive40i and the monstrous 530hp V8-powered M50i. The latter comes with plenty of goodies, such as the top-of-the-line Merino leather interior, adaptive M suspension, Display Key and the bejewelled Crafted Clarity glass applications on the gear shift. 

Performance Motors, 303 Alexandra Road. Tel: 6319 0100