Ice cream, ice baby: Bentley X Concept gets 650 hp

Officially, this Stormtrooper spec explores ‘the potential of a more focused off-road Bentley’, specifically designed ‘to encourage feedback’. The people who will be there this weekend will be exactly the kind that Bentley will want feedback from as well, as they are the kind of moneyed enthusiasts who really love a rough and willing (everything’s relative) Bentayga. We live in a world of a 666bhp Supersports called around Crewe by Travis Pastrana, remember; we’d say there’s nothing going on for Bentley at the moment.

And from Ranger Raptor to Defender Trophy, more serious off-road vehicles are all the rage. So in addition to the standard 650hp Bentayga Speed ​​drivetrain (with Akrapovic pipes), the X gets forged 22-inch off-road Brixton wheels and some knobby off-road tires; the fact that the wheels aren’t super small would indicate that the intention is just to make a more capable Bentayga, rather than an ultimate dune basher with small beadlock rims.

To that end, the tracks here are 120mm wider, which means a nice cool stance, and the ride height has been increased by 55mm – perfect for watching others in traffic. Oh yes, and even better off the beaten track, with extra ground clearance (310mm) and a wading depth of over 550mm. Again, it’s no Defender, but it’s an improvement over the standard 500mm.

Plus, it looks cool, and that’s just as important when it comes to an off-road overhaul. The It’s all different enough to be appealing, yet similar enough to be viable (the X is still supported by air suspension and Bentley Dynamic Ride, for example).

The frozen lake guarantees some attention, that’s for sure. Unlike so many other luxury 4x4s, the Bentayga is notable for never actually being seen in full overlander specification – it’s hard not to be a little curious. For the time being, the X is unique, together with a large number of other Bentleys, old and new, this weekend in Austria. But we’ve all seen more adventurous concepts become reality. And it would be a great double test with a Defender OCTA. Best let Bentley know what you think of his idea below…