The power assisted steering is responsive, light yet dependable and has a generous 12.4 m /40.6 ft turning circle, which was to prove especially welcome the following day. Driving is quiet and cocoon-like; it’s all too easy to step on the gas and collect a speeding ticket.
The Bentayga is automatic but if you want more engagement the paddle shifts are set behind the steering wheel. Eight ride levels are available via buttons on the console and you have the choice of four ride heights, from motorway to extreme off-road. The heated leather seats are supportive and sexy to the touch, with the stitching only appearing on the bolsters and headrests, leaving a smoother support for one’s derriere.
As we turned off the motorway and began to climb the vertiginous and windy mountain roads to Haferling, the Bentayga performed like a dream. Fast cornering felt safe, responsive and secure thanks to the 48v electric active anti-roll system, while the suspension absorbed the bumps well. In any other car I would have felt exhausted by now; in the Bentayga I remained focused and energised. Sheer driving pleasure…
We arrived at San Luis just as dusk was falling. Cloud and fog had meant we missed the stupendous mountain views, but the resort at night was enchanting. A 40-acre haven of 39 wooden chalets and 17 tree houses surround a now-frozen lake.
At its centrepiece the massive chalet housing the open plan reception area, shop, restaurant and lounges. Run by Alex and Claudia Meister, they are are the fourth generation of this hotelier family which also owns the Hotel Irma in nearby Merano.
As we later discover the wood used in the buildings is mainly antique, sourced from the derelict barns of local farmers. My own treehouse is perched on solid giant stilts at the edge of the forest. It’s a haven of peace with stunning views across the valley.
A roaring fire and sparkling wine from the nearby Manincor estate was a welcome aperitif before an excellent dinner with the charming vineyard owners Count Michael Goëss-Enzenberg and his lovely wife, the Countess Sophie.
The aesthetics of San Luis complement the striking interiors of the new Bentley Diesel Bentayga and I have the good fortune to sit next to Darren Day at dinner. He’s head of Design Studio 1 at Crewe and explains the inspiration for the Bentayga’s outstanding interior: British craftsmanship and attention to detail at its best.
The dashboard is “inspired by the winged Bentley logo,” he tells us. “While the seats were influenced by hunting jackets and sportswear. You’ll notice that the quilting only appears on the top of the seats and on the bolsters. The body of the seats are smooth, making them more comfortable, making the seat’s heating, massage and cooling functions work better too.
“We wanted our customers to feel just as at home in the city being chauffeured as well as driving themselves on a rough off-road course.
“All the design work is done with sketches with biro and pencil and later some computer work. We develop the designs in clay, which gives the whole project a human feel. The team then take the clay model, transfer it to CAD and then we manufacture parts of the car. We also use digital data to make animations.”