MOTORS A look at Bentley’s

MOTORS

OFF ROAD LUXURY

The newly facelifted Bentley Bentayga is better than ever, having matured into its position as a class-leading 4x4. It’s now more luxurious, capable and more recommendable than all of the German brands or the equivalent Range Rover...

Words: Rob Davis.

UNDOUBTEDLY there are some things that the British do exceptionally well. Queuing, for example. Making small talk about the weather. We’re especially good at maintaining silent frustration at someone’s apparent lack of gratitude. At least, we are until the searing tension boils over and we’re forced to mutter a barely audible ‘you’re welcome(!),’ as though the phrase serves as some form of dark incantation.

The British, though, have also perfected the art of understated taste and style. We do it brilliantly. Think Savile Row, rather than clothing emblazoned with a designer brand name. Think quiet country pubs, not London nightclubs. Think ‘Great British Bentley,’ rather than of the howling exhausts and black-alloy wheels of an SUV from AMG Mercedes or a gussied-up BMW. Bentley doesn’t need to show off. Its cars are somehow understated despite their position in the market and their imperious price tag.

The company has the skill of reflecting its values down to a fine art. When the Bentayga first appeared in showrooms some – me included – wondered if it would be a little brash; a clean-tyres school run SUV for well-heeled urban mums.

In fact, the car has matured into its looks, especially with this new facelifted model, and wears its size and power tastefully.

The car’s interior is beautiful, and for the first time I can honestly say I see where the extra investment goes, above what you’d pay for a Range Rover. The Bentayga is luxurious capable and eminently recommendable. >>

>> For now there are two Bentaya engines. Forget the 6.0W12 Speed model; it’s not what a Bentley should be about.

Sitting below it is the wholly better 4.0V8 with twin-turbocharging and 550ps of power and 770nm of torque; an ideal engine for motorway cruising, the odd-off road or for towing. As standard the car has an eight speed automatic gearbox with permanent all-wheel drive and air suspension.

Also standard are five seats, a hide interior, park assist, top view camera and walnut veneers. First Edition specification models adds two-tone leather, adaptive cruise control, and ventilated massaging seats. At least for now this is our pick of the range, and you can choose between a luxury four “The Bentley online configurator is a great way to kill off a couple of hours between Christmas and New Year as you deliberate on and eventually design your perfect Bentayga...”

seat configuration, the standard five seat configuration or for the first time a practical seven seat interior according to your needs.

After that choice, you’re left playing around with the firm’s online configurator to choose from the myriad paint, two-tone hide and two-tone wood veneer options... the configurator is a great way to kill off a couple of hours between Christmas and New Year as you deliberate on – and eventually design – your perfect Bentayga. What more do you need to know about the Bentayga? Well, refinement is peerless, even better than a Range Rover. It’s perhaps not as capable off-road, lacking low-range gears or diff locks, but if your SUV requirements are more road-going in nature, you’ll love it.

The best expression of style is often the most understated, too. That’s why Bentayga works so well. Opt for a subtle colour, linen hide, walnut veneer and we reckon you’ll own one of the most beautiful cars on the road. n

Super SUVs: More four by four than before...

Aston Martin DBX, £158,000: Aston Martin has deviated from its usual GT models to create its own four door, four wheel drive vehicle, with a 4.0V8 twin turbo engine. 60mph is reached in 4.5 seconds, top speed is 181mph and it has 542bhp of power. Fuel economy is a weak point at just 19mpg, and despite its seemingly small dimension it’s wider and 20cm longer than a Range Rover Sport! Arguably it’s oriented to performance rather than luxury, but it’s certainly a compelling alternative to the Bentayga for well-heeled motorists. n

BENTLEY BENTAYGA

Price: £146,700. (On sale now). Drivetrain: 4.0V8 twin-turbo petrol, 550ps, 770Nm torque. Eight speed automatic gearbox, all wheel drive. Performance: 0-62 mph: 4.4 seconds. Top Speed: 180mph. Economy: 21.2mpg, 302g/km CO2 . Equipment: Leather upholstery, electric heated seats, satellite navigation, climate, cruise. n

Rolls Royce Cullinan, £264,000: Rolls snootily rejects that its 4x4 car is an SUV, stating instead that it’s a ‘high-sided car from Rolls Royce.’ Enjoy a hand-built 6.75 litre V12, all wheel drive, all wheel steering and all wheel drive, but you’ll need a hand parking, considering the Cullinan is 30cm longer than a Range Rover and over 5cm wider. There’s something a bit naff about someone for whom a Range Rover or a Bentayga is ‘not good enough,’ and it’s difficult to see where the extra money goes, but if you insist, the Rolls will certainly be an imperious sight on the road thanks to its huge grille, vast dimensions and monster engine. n

Range Rover Autobiography, £102,940: There are more expensive Range Rover models available, but the PHEV Autobiography here is the sweet spot of the range. Unless you’re set on having extra rear legroom we’d pass up the opportunity of the longer wheelbase model in favour of this standard version. Meanwhile, even well-heeled drivers will appreciate the smoothness of the PHEV drivetrain, its fuel economy and CO2 advantage, as well as the option to run the 2.0V4 assisted Range Rover as a company vehicle. n

Keeping You Motoring for 50 YEARS

Offering motor vehicle servicing, repairs, MOTs and car sales, Boston based Johnson Motors has been keeping its customers on the road for a landmark 50 years...

Words: Rob Davis.

A LOT HAS HAPPENED SINCE 1970. You can see evidence of technological progress everywhere, not least in the cars we drive. What hasn’t changed, though, is the need for someone trustworthy to maintain your vehicle; someone to keep you on the road. Someone, in fact, who can offer their customer great service, whilst giving their car a good service, too. In 1970, Ray Johnson and wife Rita set up Johnson Motors in Boston. The family has become the go-to name in Boston for troublefree motoring. 50 years on, it’s a family business more than ever, with the couple’s sons Paul and Graham involved, plus granddaughter Ellie and Alison & Jackie Johnson part of the business too. “As our family has grown up, so too has the business,” says Ray. “And we’ve seen so many changes in that time.” >>

Top/Above: Johnson Motors was established on 1st November 1970 and 50 years on, it’s the most respected business in Boston for motor sales, service and MOT. Right: Ray & Rita Johnson this month reflect on how motoring has changed.

“We’ve been fortunate to have had many good people working for us. We’ve looked after them, and so some of them have worked with us for decades...”

Above: Graham, Rita, Ray and Paul Johnson have been keeping their customers on the road for 50 years! >> “Today’s cars are quicker and more complex, and you put your life in the hands of the person taking care of your car, so it’s more important than ever to have someone who’s the go-to person you can trust.” “‘Plug and points’ have been replaced with electronic ignition. The manual choke is a thing of the past, and welding, too, is a less frequent job with much more fibreglass, aluminium and plastic now used to make the bodywork of modern cars.” “Diesel engines and automatic gearboxes have become more popular over the past few decades, too, much improved and refined compared to what they used to be like. And then, of course, there are the computers.” Ironically, on the morning of my appointment to see the Johnson family, I also had the chance to enjoy the family’s prompt and professional service first hand. On my way to work that morning a ‘check engine’ light suddenly made an untimely appearance. “This is not always – but sometimes – how you diagnose modern cars these days,” said Paul as he and Ray kindly connected my car to the workshop computer. Paul straight away diagnosed a problem with the ‘EGR and DPF.’ “Mechanics these days are incredibly talented, as cars are much more complex. But we’ve been fortunate to have had really good people working for us. We’ve looked after them, and so, some have worked with us for decades.”

1970-2020: 50 Years of Motoring...

1970 Austin Morris 1,100cc: Price: £700 (£10,899.73 today) 2020 Ford Fiesta Zetec 1,000cc: Price: £16,065

Opposite: Images from 1983, plus Ray’s recovery truck.

Find Out More: Johnson Motors is based on Willoughby Road, Boston PE21 9HN. Call 01205 310202 or see www.johnson motors.co.uk. Back in the 1970s, Ray sold brand new Ford vehicles on the forecourt and still maintains the brand is a great name in the industry. Graham and Paul joined the business in 1981 and 2001, selling quality cars as a sister company; Johnson Motors Car Sales. “The sweet spot is to purchase a car that’s three years young and then maintain it,” says Paul. “You can save an enormous amount on depreciation and still enjoy a modern car... if you’ve a reliable company to maintain it.” “From the beginning we had good customers, so we’ve looked after them. Now we can count their children and grandchildren as customers too, so we’re a family business, working hard to maintain our trustworthy reputation!” n

The Austin Morris was updated to the MkII in 1967, replaced in 1971 by the MkIII. Its 49bhp engine was good for 81mph. It weighed 832kg, measuring 3,687mm long, 1,530mm wide.

1970’s Best Selling Cars:

TOTAL CARS SOLD 1,076,865 CARS ON THE ROAD, 1970: 13.5m 1 Austin Morris 1100 132,965 2 Ford Cortina 123,256 3 Ford Escort 95,782 4 Austin Morris Mini 80,740 5 Vauxhall Viva 76,838 6 Hillman Avenger 50,133 7 Rootes Arrow 43,111 8 Ford Capri 38,186 9 BMC 1800/3-litre 32,927 10 Vauxhall Victor 27,930 The Ford Fiesta, in 1.0T Zetec version, weighs in at 1,144kg, and despite its smaller engine, it reaches 113mph, putting out 98bhp. It’s 4,040mm long and 1,735mm wide.

2020’s Best Selling Cars:

TOTAL CARS SOLD 1,384,601 CARS ON THE ROAD, 2020: 38.4m 1 Ford Fiesta 43,281 2 Vauxhall Corsa 39,692 3 Volkswagen Golf 35,014 4 Ford Focus 33,965 5 Mercedes A-Class 31,604 6 Nissan Qashqai 27,790 7 MINI 25,841 8 Volkswagen Polo 23,904 9 Ford Puma 21,142 10 BMW 1 Series 20,032

Back to 1970: Pop, politics, prices & people...

1970: The Cost of Living

Average Wage: Average House Price: Pint of Milk: Pint of Beer: Loaf of Bread: Mars Bar: £2,000/annum £5,500 5p 20p 9p 6p 2020: The Cost of Living

Average Wage: Average House Price: Pint of Milk: Pint of Beer: Loaf of Bread: Mars Bar: £29,600/annum £256,000 50p £3.94 99p 60p

n Conservative Prime Minister Ted Heath replaced Labour’s Harold Wilson in June 1970, just five months before Ray and Rita opened Johnson Motors. n Disco music was on its way up, but number one in the charts on 1st November 1970 was folk rock tune Woodstock by Matthew’s Southern Comfort. Freda Payne was also in the charts with Band of Gold, as was Melanie with Stones cover Ruby Tuesday and Black Sabbath with Paranoid.

n On TV, we were watching The Goonies, and Steptoe & Son. TV’s Zoe Ball and newsreader Suzanne Reid were born. n In the news, test pilot of Concorde André Turcat flew over the Atlantic at Mach 2.

Blow Your Top

ASTON MARTIN’S VANTAGE ROADSTER GAINS ROOFLESS ‘VOLANTE’ SIBLING

ASTON MARTIN Oh heck yes! Aston Martin has lifted the lid on the new Volante soft top version of its entry level Vantage model, and the result is a spectacular piece of automotive design. Powered by Aston Martin’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo 510PS/685Nm V8 engine and mated to an 8-speed ZF the roadster accelerates from 0-60mph in just 3.7sec and is capable of 190mph with the roof raised. Weight increases by just 60kg compared with the coupé thanks to a new, lighter Z-fold roof mechanism and optimised exterior and chassis revisions throughout. The Vantage range starts at £114,850, with the recommended retail price of the Vantage Roadster starting from £126,950 in the UK. n

New Bugatti Bolide on track

LIGHTWEIGHT ‘RACETRACK ONLY’ CAR CAN REACH 311MPH IN JUST 20 SECONDS AND HITS 60MPH IN 2.1 SECONDS...

Silence is golden for Land Rover & Jaguar owners thanks to tech...

JAGUAR LAND ROVER Jaguar Land Rover has revealed new noise cancellation technology that removes unwanted road and tyre sounds from the cabin and provides a quieter and more refined experience for drivers and passengers. The technology, introduced on the new Jaguar F-Pace, new Jaguar XF and Range Rover Velar, is capable of lowering unwanted noise peaks by 10dB and overall noise levels by 3-4dB – the equivalent of turning down the in-car sound system by four ‘steps.’ n

BUGATTI Looking to dispatch your daily commute in a more brisk fashion? Bugatti’s Bolide could help. At just 1,240kg, but with an eight litre W16 engine and four turbochargers, it’s got some poke, to say the least. In fact, the car will reach 311mph flat out and reaches 60mph in just 2.1 seconds. The car is so fast that it actually changes shape at speed, and will sell for an eye-watering £15m. What’s worse is that it’s a track-only car, so even if you did have the grit and fearlessness to use the Bolide on your commute, it wouldn’t be legal... which in hindsight is probably for the best. n

MOTORING NEWS In Brief

AUDI

AUDI IS LORD OF THE FOUR RINGS WITH A NOVEL OF AN OWNER’S MANUAL...

One of the pleasures - and the pains - of buying a new car is getting to know your way around all of the buttons and gadgets. But a new survey by Bristol Street Motors has shown that as cars become more complicated, their owner’s manuals become lengthier. In fact, Audi’s A3 owners handbook is now the longest with 167,699 words necessitating an estimated 11hrs to read... that’s longer than Tolkein’s Lord of the Rings, which has a modest 156,198 words. For reference, Harry Potter books are around 75,000-100,000w and Tolstoy’s War & Peace weights in at a hefty 587,287 words. Pride’s monthly word count is around 25,000! Motoring’s longest handbooks... 1. Audi A3 167,699 words; 11hrs, 45m. 2. Seat Ibiza 154,657 words; 10hrs, 50m. 3. Mercedes C-Class 152,875 words; 10hrs, 42m. 4. Mercedes A-Class 143,706 words; 10hrs, 4m. 5. Kia Sportage 133,531 words; 9hrs, 21m. 6. Ford Focus 127,321 words; 8hrs, 55m. 7. Volkswagen Golf 114,606 words; 8hrs 2m. 8. Honda Civic 110,484 words; 7hrs, 44m. 9. Audi A4 109,934 words; 7hrs, 42m. 10. Nissan Juke 108,853 words; 7hrs, 37m. n