Bentley Puts World’s Largest Carbon Fiber Wheels on New Bentayga

Carbon fiber wheels are all the rage with high end supercars like the Ferrari SF90. They’re light and strong, perfect for achieving new lap records around the race track. The last place you would expect to see carbon wheels would be on a big and heavy SUV like the 2022 Bentley Bentayga. However, that’s exactly what Bentley has done.

The new 2022 Bentley Bentayg will be offered with an optional 22″ wheel made entirely of lightweight carbon fiber. It’s the largest carbon wheel ever made for a production car. Bentley says the wheels are 6 kg lighter than the standard alloy wheels. That turns the Bentayga from a super hippo to a super hippo with lighter feet.

The new carbon wheel has been subjected to the exceptionally rigorous TÜV (Technischer Überwachungsverei – Technical Inspection Association) standards, and is the first carbon wheel ever produced to pass all tests. The newly developed rim has undergone the most rigorous testing for non-metallic wheels according to the new TÜV standards including biaxial stress testing, radial and lateral impact testing for simulating potholes and cobblestones, tire overpressure, and excessive torque tests exceeding the permitted limits.

One of the most severe tests of the TUV requirements – the impact test – has shown how the carbon rim is extremely safe in addition to the performance benefits. After a severe impact which would crack or shatter an aluminum wheel, causing the tyre to collapse explosively, the carbon fibre rim allows a slow tyre deflation thanks to the intelligent layering of fibre weaves, allowing the vehicle to come to a controlled, safe stop.

For the final sign off stage, the wheel was put through its paces on one of the most famous tracks in the world – the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Bentley says the new 22” carbon wheel is the perfect complement to its existing carbon fibre products, including the highly sought-after Styling Specification which adds a carbon front splitter, sill extensions and rear diffuser to the Bentayga, and the option of high gloss carbon fibre veneer to the interior. The new wheel will be available to order late 2021. No word on pricing, but if you have ask, you obviously can’t afford it.