Bentley Bentayga X Embraces the Ice

Racing Heritage Meets a Frozen Stage

Bentley’s competition story runs deep, yet the Bentayga X Concept carries it to unfamiliar ground. The show car has been built for the FAT Ice Race in Zell am See, Austria, a venue where grip is scarce and spectacle is guaranteed. It is a bold setting for a luxury SUV, and it places the British marque in front of a different kind of motorsport crowd.

The Bentayga X draws on the Speed variant as its starting point. Even so, its brief is different: thrive on ice while preserving refinement. Therefore, it pairs extravagant power with precise control systems and a stance adapted for frozen terrain. The result is an SUV that can surge, stop, and steer with confidence on a slick surface.

This concept also signals intention. While it entertains on a winter stage, it hints at broader capability. As a result, it invites feedback on what an even tougher Bentayga might become.

FAT International’s Evolving Motorsport Vision

FAT International began as a European logistics company moving fashion quickly across borders. To promote its express service, it invested in racing, proving speed on and off the road. Notably, FAT celebrated an overall win at the 1994 24 Hours of Le Mans with a Dauer 962 LM. That achievement underscored a brand comfortable in high-performance arenas.

Today, FAT has shifted its focus while keeping the spirit of competition alive. The company produces clothing and curates in-person experiences, including the FAT Ice Race and FAT Mankei. Moreover, its mission now includes reshaping motorsport from the ground up through the grassroots FAT Karting League. The Ice Race blends culture and competition, spotlighting rare machinery and the communities around them.

Against this backdrop, FAT has launched a multi-year collaboration with Bentley. Consequently, the partnership set the stage for the Bentayga X Concept to make its debut in Zell am See. It is part showcase, part shakedown, and fully aligned with FAT’s modern, audience-led motorsport approach.

Power and Control Tuned for Ice

The Bentayga X Concept is built on the Bentayga Speed platform, and its numbers speak loudly. A 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 produces 641 horsepower, delivering instant thrust even in thin-air cold. An Akrapovic titanium exhaust lends the SUV a sharper voice, while trimming weight up high in the vehicle. Therefore, performance arrives with presence.

Control systems do the rest. Permanent four-wheel drive channels torque where it is most useful, and the adaptive air suspension calms body movement. Additionally, a 48-volt active anti-roll system works to keep the SUV planted during quick transitions. On ice, that combination can mean the difference between drama and clean progress.

Together, these systems turn headline power into repeatable pace. As a result, the Bentayga X behaves like a polished tool rather than a blunt instrument, even when grip comes and goes.

Wider Stance, Taller Ride, Ready for Snow

Ice demands more than outright power, so Bentley reshaped the SUV’s stance. The track has been widened by 4.7 inches (120 millimeters) to lift stability, and the wheel arches were pushed out 1.6 inches to match the change. New 22-inch Brixton forged one-piece wheels mount off-road tires, adding bite and toughness for carved snow and churned ice.

The chassis sits higher as well. Bentley raised the ride height by about 2.2 inches (55 millimeters) to help the body clear deeper snow. Consequently, ground clearance now approaches 12.2 inches (310 millimeters), and the wading depth exceeds 21.6 inches (550 millimeters). That extra margin keeps the front from acting like a snowplow when the conditions get heavy.

Practical touches finish the look. A roof rack carries gear and hosts four auxiliary lights for night runs. Look closely and you will spot a Bambino-size go-kart up top, a nod to the FAT Karting League and the brand’s grassroots ambitions. It is functional theater that fits the venue.

From Showpiece to Possible Series Model

At first glance, the Bentayga X Concept looks like a one-off built to suit a single event. It sits taller, stands wider, and wears hardware uncommon on a luxury SUV. Yet Bentley is not treating it as a simple styling exercise. Instead, the team frames it as a way to learn from owners, drivers, and fans who use SUVs beyond the boulevard.

In fact, the company is explicit about its goal. According to Bentley, this unique concept was created to stimulate and gather feedback for a more off-road-capable Bentayga. That statement lifts the idea beyond wishful thinking. Moreover, it suggests that a future package or variant could borrow directly from this ice-ready setup.

Still, the timeline remains unspoken. For now, the concept braves subzero tarmac and broadcasts Bentley’s appetite for adventure. If the response is strong, the lesson may migrate from a frozen lake to the showroom. Ultimately, the Bentayga could add a new branch to its family tree, with capability to match its pace and polish.