Bentley Touts Bentayga as World’s Fastest Crossover

Volkswagen AG's Bentley Motors Group says its first crossover vehicle, the Bentayga, will be the world's most powerful and fastest vehicle of its type. The car will be publicly introduced at the Frankfurt auto show next week.

Expected to retail for about €180,000, the Bentayga also will be the market's most expensive SUV/crossover. Bentley says the vehicle will come equipped with VW's W-configuration 12-cylinder engine and be capable of achieving 301 kph (187 mph).

Bentley has offered no further details about the Bentayga or its engine. In its current form as used in the Bentley Continental GT sport coupe, the 6.0-liter, turbocharged W12 generates 600 hp and 664 lb-ft of torque. A cylinder deactivation system makes the engine nearly 30% more fuel efficient than the previous generation W12, according to VW.