Road test: Bentley Bentayga

How’s this for an optional extra? The clock in Bentley’s new Bentayga, the company’s first SUV, can be a hand-made mechanical Breitling which automatically revolves on its own axis to wind itself up. Yours for £100,000. Not the car — just the gold clock. The car starts at £160,000 but most customers will be paying well north of £200,000.

Bentley doesn’t expect too many customers to specify the clock but it does demonstrate the company’s intention to provide the first super-luxury SUV for wealthy people.

The build quality is exquisite, and with its twin-turbo six-litre W12 engine producing 600hp it is more powerful than any other SUV. It is uncannily quiet and accomplished off road, as we found on deep, shifting sands in the Californian desert at the car’s launch. So this is a beautifully made, powerful, well-equipped, easy-to-drive car, which can go just about anywhere and is not unreasonably priced. So what’s the downside?

Well, it’s not the best-looking car in the world. The company has been at pains to make the frontal styling instantly recognisable as Bentley. But the rear looks bland and if not for the intricate swage lines on the flanks, it would look rather slab-sided. From behind you could be following any Audi or Hyundai SUV. The Bentayga is by no means ugly, but it doesn’t look as special as the way it drives.