Bentley reinforces the Royal Connection at the Palace Privé

The Jai Vilas Palace in the heart of Gwalior is quite the statement. With its 400-plus rooms, magnificent architecture and sprawling grounds, it is the very picture of opulence and old-world luxury. It exudes heritage from every corner, every manicured plant on the gardens and even from the etiquette of the staff who are clearly trained in a sophisticated style that has nearly disappeared from the world today. Yet, Jai Vilas isn’t just a 152-year-old historic palace. Scratch beneath the grand history and you will find a very modern ethos that underscores the beauty and history of it all.

Take for instance the magnificent pair of crystal chandeliers, the largest in the world, in the Durbar Hall. Weighing in at three and a half tonnes each, legend has it that engineers had tested the structural strength of the roof by having elephants walk on it before the chandeliers were put up. Then of course there is the electrically operated miniature train that served as the drinks trolley for the Maharaja who had a great love of trains. Jai Vilas is truly a place where the love of luxury and legacy blends quite seamlessly with modern science and technology, and it is this blend that makes it so suitable for a contemporary luxury lifestyle. An ethos that also underlines the relentlessly extraordinary Bentley way of life.

As the official luxury partner of Palace Privé - Robb Report India’s exclusive one-of-one event hosted by Priyadarshini Raje Scindia at the Jai Vilas Palace - Bentley was a natural complement to an experience that seamlessly blended legacy with modernity. Both the Bentley Bentayga EWB and the Bentley Flying Spur are perfect examples of this. While the Flying Spur Speed presents that sense of luxury, opulence and elegance in a saloon car format, the Bentayga EWB presents that same sense of sophistication and modern luxury in a robust SUV format.

“Bentley’s legacy speaks for itself. With a long-standing presence in India, we have remained true to what sets us apart: an unrivalled combination of performance and bespoke luxury,” said Abbey Thomas, Brand Director, Bentley India.

The Flying Spur Speed for instance offers a combined output of 771bhp and a tarmac shredding 1,000Nm of torque from its 4-litre twin turbo V8 working with e-motor, which results in a 0-100kmph in 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 285kmph. While transmission is via an 8-speed dual clutch gearbox, a limited slip differential is at hand to make sure that the performance is also manageable for the driver.

The Flying Spur Speed is in fact the most powerful four-door saloon car that Bentley has ever made and yet, this doesn’t come at the cost of luxury and opulence. Inside the spacious cabin, occupants enjoy the latest expression of Bentley’s renowned design and handcraftsmanship, with all-new seat designs that feature 3D diamond quilting and a revised perforation pattern in the seat’s centre section.

New driver instrumentation graphics complete the package of design enhancements, while the acclaimed Bentley Rotating Display with its choice of 12.3” high-definition display and three analogue dials or an unbroken side of handcrafted veneer continues to be offered as an option. A choice of three audio systems is offered in the new Flying Spur. The standard system features 10 speakers and 650 Watts, while a Bang & Olufsen 1,500 W, 16-speaker system with illuminated speaker grilles is aimed at lifestyle-oriented customers. A Naim 2,200 W, 19-speaker system with Active Bass Transducers built into the front seats and eight sound modes is offered for the true audiophile. Laminated acoustic glass

is retained for the windscreen and side windows, resulting in a nine-decibel reduction in exterior noise versus non-acoustic glazing.

This combination of performance and luxury is also evident in the Bentley Flying Spur Speed’s exterior design. Built around Bentley’s new Ultra Performance Hybrid platform, the performance-oriented character of the new Flying Spur Speed is underscored by the latest design enhancements. The new Speed-specific grille, front bumper and rear diffuser create a fresh, purposeful look. New LED Welcome Lamps housed in the doors project an animated version of the Bentley Wings logo onto the ground whenever the front doors are opened. This new deployment of Bentley’s “light sculpture” technology follows on from its first application in the coach-built Batur coupe by Mulliner.

The Bentayga EWB, on the other hand, offers an even more assertive presence with its high and commanding stance. In its EWB form, the Bentayga is extended by 180mm, taking overall length of the SUV to well over five metres from front to back and increases the wheelbase from an already spacious 2995 mm to a luxurious 3175 mm. With the increase affecting only the rear doors and the rear cabin, the result is an exceptionally luxurious cabin.

With a larger cabin space than any other luxury competitor, an emphasis on wellness, and the introduction of the world’s first auto climate and advanced postural adjustment rear seat, extraordinary journeys are guaranteed. The new Bentley Airline Seat specification is the most advanced seat ever fitted to a car, with 22 ways of adjustment and world-firsts in a new auto climate sensing system and postural adjustment technology. In Relax mode, the seat can recline to 40 degrees, whilst the passenger seat is motored forwards and a beautifully leather-trimmed footrest deploys from the back of the front passenger seat. In Business Mode, the seat moves into its most upright position to make working on the move more comfortable.

The auto climate seat technology senses occupant temperature and surface humidity and then determines whether to apply heat, ventilation or both simultaneously to keep the occupant at optimum thermal wellbeing. Meanwhile, the postural adjustment system automatically makes micro adjustments to the occupant’s seating position and pressure points, by measuring pressure across the seat surface. The system can apply 177 individual pressure changes across six fully independent pressure zones over a three-hour period improving comfort and minimising fatigue throughout a journey. All of this, enjoyed in an environment that boasts the finest of handcrafted luxury.

Comfort is also guaranteed over all kinds of road surfaces, thanks to the Bentley Dynamic Ride, which is the world’s first electric active roll control technology. The system works continuously to ensure that the tyres are constantly in touch with the ground below, thereby offering a superlative balance between ride comfort and handling. The Bentayga EWB also offers an incredible range of on and off-road drive settings thanks to the combination of Bentley’s Drive Dynamics Mode and the optional All-Terrain Specification. Up to eight modes - four on and four off-road - are available.

Powering the Bentayga EWB is a 4-litre twin turbocharged V8 engine with 542bhp and 770Nm of torque. Mated to an 8-speed transmission and an all-time all-wheel-drive the Bentayga EWB can go from standstill to 100kmph in just 4.6 seconds and on top a max speed of 290kmph. There’s a Torsen centre differential and electronic differential lock to help things along when the predictability of tarmac gives way to trails and off-road conditions. Another perfect example where luxury and legacy have been beautifully stitched with performance.

The Bentley Flying Spur Speed and Bentayga EWB, two cars that embody the British spirit of luxury mobility. Two cars that were the perfect foil for an event that revolved around notions of luxury,

exclusivity, craftsmanship, power, legacy and above all, elegance. Two cars that represent the Bentley ethos of relentlessly extraordinary to the letter. As the host of Palace Privé Priyadarshini Raje Scindia, herself said, “Of course, it’s a Bentley.”