Bentley calls it the “ultimate angling accessory.”
A big part of the appeal of SUVs is that they let owners lead a more active lifestyle, or at least look like they are. So to prove that its new Bentayga is a real SUV, Bentley created a special edition specifically for one such activity. Meet the Bentley Bentayga Fly Fishing by Mulliner.
First drive: Sprinting up sand dunes and down ditches in Bentley’s $232,000 Bentayga
Created by Bentley’s Mulliner personalization division, this Bentayga comes with some accessories you won’t find in a typical dealer brochure. Four fishing rods are stored in special leather-trimmed tubes that fit under the parcel shelf. A pair of landing nets in matching leather bags stow in a carpet-trimmed space carved out of the side of the cargo area.
Bentley also rearranged the interior, which now includes three individual seats a “master tackle station” for stowing fishing gear, a separate trunk for beverages, and a third wooden trunk for waders and boots. The beverage unit includes three metal flasks, fine-china tableware, and a separate storage compartment for food. All three can be removed from the Bentayga for easier access or to free up cargo space.
The Fly Fishing by Mulliner edition also has a waterproof cargo-area floor and rear-sill covers, as well as an electric dehumidifier. But all of that handcrafted wood and leather is still in danger if the owner decides to engage in actual fly fishing. Would you want to sully one of those leather bags with a net that just had a fish in it?
At least the Bentayga is well equipped to find the best fishing spots. Its 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged W12 produces 600 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, rocketing this massive SUV to 60 mph from a standstill in 4.0 seconds, and providing enough thrust for a top speed of 187 mph. Eight off-road settings allow drivers to adjust for different types of terrain by simply turning a dial. Those fish don’t stand a chance.
