Ocean drive: the new Bentley Bentayga

It’s 7:00 am and already the sun is pounding down on The Peninsula Beverly Hills’ rooftop. Sitting three floors below me is a brand-new Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase, ready to hit the road for a 320-mile road trip up the Pacific Coast Highway to Monterey.

In LA, there’s no shortage of fast and expensive automobiles. The sprawling city, which is home to nearly four million people across 502 square miles, is the world’s capital for celebrity culture, fame and fortune. Founded in 1781, LA is the place where the rich and famous come to showcase their wealth and standing – while the remaining 99.9% are busy trying to get there. As far as four-wheeled fame goes, nothing signals success quite like riding in the back of your own car – something Bentley’s latest model, the lengthened Bentayga, was born for.

Already a pleasant place from which to watch the world go by, the standard Bentayga wasn’t exactly lacking in luxury; but the latest lengthened version adds 180mm to the wheelbase in the pursuit of back-seat perfection. While a few millimetres might seem trivial in a car that measures nearly 5.5m in length, it makes all the difference to those riding in the back seats, which all becomes apparent as I climb up into it.

As the Peninsula’s valet wishes me well and closes the Bentayga’s door, I find myself ensconced in one of the most sumptuous interiors to come from the Crewe-based car maker. Like the rest of the Bentley fleet, the interior build quality, materials and overall feel are second to none.

A seemingly unlimited number – 24bn, to be precise – of different trim combinations can be selected from Bentley’s range of wood veneers, metals and leather. But it’s the optional airline seat specification that sets the longer Bentayga apart from its peers, including a nifty climate-sensing, auto-adjusting seat that adapts the temperature to apply heat, ventilation or both to keep the passengers at just the right temperature. For those who just can’t get comfortable on a long drive, the boffins at Bentley have built in an auto-adjustment system that changes the seat position or applies pressure to keep you as relaxed as possible.

Of course, all that comfort comes at a price – £8,395, for the airline seat option to be exact. While that’s a drop in the ocean compared to the car’s price of £211,300 for the Azure edition Bentayga Extended Wheelbase, it’s easy to see the value when you’re reclined and wafting down California’s oh-so-pretty Pacific Coast line at pace.

Cruising along, we take a break at the Rosewood Miramar Beach club outside Santa Barbara on the oceanfront stretch of Montecito, known as The American Riviera. The smart, white-painted neoclassical beach club is an exclusive seaside retreat for those looking to escape the bustle of LA. Stopping for lunch, it’s not long until we’re back on the road, heading north on Route 101 again but this time behind the wheel of the elongated Bentayga.

Venturing off the highway and up some of the twisting canyon roads, you’d be forgiven for thinking a 5m-long car would struggle in the bends but the longer Bentayga takes the turns in its stride. With Bentley’s 542bhp twin-turbo V8 up front, the performance is effortless, while trick electronic stability systems keep the body roll under control. In tight bends and city streets, the new rear-wheel system kicks in to help bring the back around, meaning the longer Bentagya is surprisingly agile given its dimensions.

Leaving the heat and permanent sunshine of LA in our rear-view mirror, we hit the swooping section of Route 1 through the Big Sur state park. This stretch of road along California’s rugged, central coast between San Luis Obispo and Monterey is best-known for its rolling sea mist, winding turns through coniferous forests and towering seaside cliffs. Weaving our way through this national treasure trove of unspoilt and undeveloped coastline is a treat after hammering down sections of interstate and it’s not long until the familiar sight of the soaring Bixby Creek Bridge comes into view on approach to Monterey.

First opened in 1932, this graceful arch is one of the most iconic landmarks on America’s Pacific Coast, with its elegant architecture and its magnificent setting marking the end of a largely deserted section through Big Sur. Crossing over it, it’s not long until we return to the comparatively built-up towns of Carmel-by-the-Sea and along the slow coastal road, lined with large holiday homes and golf resorts to reach Monterey, our final destination.

Ticking off one of the greatest driving roads in the world is always a satisfying feeling, made even more so when paired with a well-matched motorcar. For most of the road-trippers down California’s Pacific Coast Road, the ideal steed is something American and topless – think Ford Mustang, Dodge Charger and maybe even an original, split-screen VW bus for those seeking the surf. But, unashamedly British, the Bentley Bentayga Extended Wheelbase proves to be the ideal tool for the job with its mix of sumptuous comfort for the long motorway slogs, while the burly powerplant up front makes for a spirited drive when the going gets twisty.

Arriving at our final stop in Monterey, as the afternoon sun starts to melt into the Pacific sea mist, it’s unusual to feel refreshed after a two-day drive. However, comfort, as well as performance, is something that Bentley has perfected in more than 100 years with the manufacture of powerful grand tourers; its latest car applies that formula to the marque’s best-seller SUV, resulting in a potent mix of comfort, luxury and driving character.

While that rich mix continues to be Bentley’s secret to success, experiencing it out on one of the world’s greatest driving roads is a bucket-list box well worth ticking.

bentleymotors.com