The History of Bentley Stuttgart Bentley Stuttgart is one of the well-renowned dealers for Bentley in Europe. Since opening its doors in 2010 in the heart of Baden-Württemberg, it has opened Bentley’s market to a broader audience. Stuttgart is already a well-known hub for petrolheads, being the home of two of the greatest car makers, Porsche and Mercedes-Benz. But with Bentley joining, it has offered a new perspective to this battle. And don’t think it’s all British invader after 86 years, because technically speaking Bentley has been part of the Volkswagen group for the last 27 years. The group that also owns Lamborghini, Seat, Audi, Skoda, and, of course, Porsche, one of the staples of Stuttgart. On that basis, 15 years is a smidge of time, but never the less it’s a momentous occasion that required celebration. Bentley’s Continental Range Going Hybrid There’s no denying that, as a range, the fourth-generation Bentley Continental has probably been the biggest leap forward since the Continental debuted in 2003. Its styling, for instance, abandons the iconic and traditional dual Bentley headlight design and replaces it with a sleek, singular design first seen on the rare and exclusive Batur. But even more shocking is what’s going on under the Bonnet. Bentley have now fitted what they call the Ultra Performance Hybrid system, which is essentially a 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8 used by many of Volkswagen’s products combined with 25.9 kWh Electric Motor. The result is a stratospheric 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. Yet due to the hybrid setup, it has an electric-only range of 50 miles, a total driving range of 534 miles, and CO2 emissions are now less than 30g/km. This means 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds, but its top speed is where the two differ. Previously, both GT and GTC were fairly evenly matched, but as of this fourth generation, the top speed difference is immense. The hardtop will hit 208mph whilst the GTC is out of puff at 177mph. Pretty strange given it costs more. On the plus side, you still get one of the best interiors of any modern car at under $300,000; it’s not bad value for money. Bentayga S Black Edition – A More Modern Concept with a More Old School Approach After the launch of the enormous, large, and frankly hideous EXP 9F Concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley announced the launch of their first SUV in the following years. That car ended up being the Bentayga, Bentley’s first SUV and the fastest in the world at the time. Nevertheless, it proved very popular with 33,000 units being sold in 2024, 8 years since the Bentayga’s debut. In 2020, Bentley facelifted the Bentayga with headlights front and rear inspired by the third-generation Continental and an updated infotainment system. The Bentayga is the only one of Bentley’s current range not offered with a clever hybrid setup that the Continental range includes. Mostly because the platform that the new cars sit on is completely different to that by the Bentayga. This S variant is fitted with just the 4.0l Twin-Turbo V8 that generates 542 horsepower and 568lb-ft of torque, significantly less than the hybrid Continentals. Plus, with its kerb weight 2,415kg, it’s no surprise it’s by far the slowest of the three as well as the least economical. 0-62mph takes 4.5 seconds, the top speed is 180mph and CO2 emissions are now 296g/km, and the range is just 21.7mpg. This particular S is called the Black Edition. Its 22-inch black directional wheels, darkened exterior details, and assertive stance give this monster a more aggressive stance. And even though the interior is nice, it's nothing compared to the Continentals. Despite all that, this is my favourite of the three. It has this charm that the modern hybrids just lack. It's daft, vulgar, and silly, and you have to like it for that. The Black Forest Editions Each car has been finished in a beautiful Scarab Green paintwork contrasted perfectly with red accents. Inside, the car features open–pore walnut veneers, along with bespoke embroidery that features fern green leaves and pillar box red berries etched into the seats. The dashboard also features etching inspired by trees. Each car also includes a bespoke Beluga Leather Luggage set accented in red with embossed Black Forest Collection Tags. Christian Wild, General Manager of Bentley Stuttgart, explains, “The Black Forest has always been part of our identity. It represents craftsmanship, heritage, and timeless beauty — much like Bentley itself.” And he is absolutely right. This collection really was the perfect way to celebrate this momentous milestone in Stuttgart. Let’s hope it continues to be a staple there for many years to come. Source: Bentley Motors
