Say Howdy to the Bentley Bentayga Stetson Special Edition, featured at the 2019 Park Place Luxury & Supercar Showcase New Car Concours and available for commissioning exclusively at Bentley Dallas.
Some things just go better together: popcorn and movies, pencils and erasers, coffee and cream. But somebody had to think of them first, right?
That’s certainly the case with the Bentley Stetson, a special edition British ultra-luxury SUV outfitted in Stetson-branded style.
“It’s an idea that’s been in the works for two-and-a-half years,” says Simon Crossley Sales Experience Manager with Bentley Dallas, the only retailer in the world to offer the marvelous mash-up (part of the Premier Collection under the Park Place dealership umbrella.) “Bringing together these two legendary brands, both known for the ultimate in craftsmanship and style, just seemed like the right thing to do.”
Shared Heritage of Excellence
Bentley Dallas and Stetson revealed the car at a special media event on Tuesday, September 17, 2019, at Stetson’s home at Hatco Inc, in Garland, Texas.
Before revealing the Bentayga, both Crossley and Andrea Bozeman, Stetson’s senior vice president of marketing, paid homage to the proud heritage of both companies.
“In July, Bentley Motors celebrated 100 years of thrilling automotive performance and reflected on the words of founder W.O. Bentley: Build a fast car, a good car, the best in its class,” said Crossley. He also noted that Bentley won the 24-hours of Le Mans six times.
“Stetson has been an iconic brand since 1865,” added Bozeman, “Lyndon Johnson, Hank Williams, Buffalo Bill Cody, Calamity Jane and Will Rogers, as well as senators, movie stars and urban cowboys all over the world, love the brand.”
With that, the car was revealed: clad in a “White Sand” exterior matching Stetson’s famed “Silverbelly” color, the paint is almost opalescent in the bright sunlight (two other colors, onyx and a dark leather brown, are in the works).
A Peek Inside
But that’s just the start. The interior shows off the Bentayga Stetson Special Edition to best advantage. Taking cues from timeless cowboy boot and saddle designs, the sumptuously rich camel and dark brown leather interior features boot-stitching throughout, including embroidered Stetson logos in saddle thread on each headrest. Tread-plate inserts carved with “Mulliner Stetson” designate each vehicle as a “Special Edition.”
One would naturally expect fine wood in such a special vehicle, and one wouldn’t be disappointed – the open-pore liquid amber veneers derive from American Red Gum (aka Sweetgum) trees.
The whole effect is powerful and impressive, yet in true Bentley fashion, subtle and understated, too. “We didn’t want to overcook it,” said Crossley.
Nevertheless, it’s fun to imagine that Minnie Pearl would be all “How-DEE,” luxuriating in the enormous back seat, as Patsy Cline’s “Crazy” blasts over the most powerful audio system available in an SUV anywhere – 1,920-watts, 21-channels by Naim.
And wherever she’d be going, she’d get there quickly – the Bentayga’s 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 generates 542 hp and 568 lb-ft of torque, with a Porsche-like 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. (For those with horses, the Bentayga will tow 7,700 pounds with ease.)
Hi-yo Silver, indeed.
Quality Throughout
All the customization was undertaken at Bentley’s factory in Crewe, England, by Mulliner, the manufacturer’s customization and personalization subsidiary, which traces its coachbuilding prowess to the 17th century.
Bentley is, of course, renowned for the quality of their leather – 14 of the world’s most flawless hides go into each Bentayga. Every leather panel is initialed on the reverse by the upholsterer – a personal hallmark of quality.
Stetson has long been recognized for using only the highest quality materials, as well as painstakingly crafting each design on specialized vintage equipment, then finishing each and every hat by hand.
“It takes 200 people to build a Bentayga and 200 hands to make a Stetson. That’s kind of cool,” Crossley says with a touch of wonder.
“It’s really a great combination,” he continues. “The Stetson Limited Edition combines the best of Old-World craftsmanship and Old West iconography to create a completely modern, instantly distinctive and memorable motoring experience.”
This special edition vehicle is offered at $246,578. Two more will be delivered to Bentley Dallas, one in October and the next in November (in the aforesaid onyx and brown exterior colors).
“Or you can order your own personalized version,” smiles Crossley.