Bentley announced the Bentayga in 2015, the world's first luxury hybrid SUV. It is said to be gaining popularity among young wealthy people around the world. These active and challenging people went on a short trip to Tateshina Highlands to find out the secret behind why they were hit by this car. In order to find the beautiful early autumn in Japan, we pilot the Bentayga provided by Bentley and begin our journey to Tateshina Highlands.

Bentley is an executive car created with history and a solid spirit.

Speaking of Bentley, it is well known that the official car of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, who passed away in September 2022, was the Bentley State Limousine. Bentley, which is overwhelmingly trusted by the British royal family, has inherited a belief and manufacturing spirit that has never wavered over its long history, and has demonstrated performance that is unrivaled by other cars.

Bentley was founded in 1919 by Walter Owen Bentley in Cricklewood, London. Since its founding, its engine design technology has been superior to that of other cars, and in addition, the seats and details are supported by craftsmanship and bespoke craftsmanship. Even in the car industry, where mass production by robots is the norm, this spirit has been inherited, and even now at the Crewe factory, many parts of each car are carefully crafted by craftsmen. It is truly a car worthy of being called an executive car.

The more active driving than you can imagine comes from its race-trained DNA.
“Unexpectedness” attracts wealthy people around the world

Why is the luxury hybrid SUV ``Bentayga'' so popular among wealthy people around the world? The secret seems to lie in its "unexpectedness."

Many people still think of Bentley as a ``chauffeur-driven car.'' It's true that the Bentayga has a wonderful ride. The spacious interior, beautiful hand-crafted details, textured seats, and state-of-the-art equipment are perfect.

On the other hand, Bentley is a manufacturer of high-performance sports cars that have won the Le Mans 24 Hour Race six times. The Bentayga also inherits this DNA, and when you step on the accelerator, it delivers amazing acceleration, and its driving performance leaves other cars at bay. Don't underestimate the performance of this majestic British luxury car. Unexpectedly, he turns into a naughty runner. Many people will be surprised to hear this.

Bentley's tradition and spirit of craftsmanship provide reliability, peace of mind, and an unexpected feeling of driving pleasure. Perhaps it is this dual nature that attracts young wealthy people in Japan and around the world to the Bentayga.

Artwork created by handwork blends with beautiful nature

The Bentayga makes you realize once again that driving can be fun. Extremely quiet inside the car, and a sense of security when driving at high speeds. And it has an overwhelming presence as many cars pass by. The sense of superiority that the Bentayga gives you as you drive away with all eyes on you is something special.

The Bentayga arrives at Tateshina Highlands, feeling the grace of its suspension. It's a little early for the leaves to turn red, but I take a deep breath while feeling the greenery of the plants and the breeze, which is different from summer. Tateshina Kogen is 2 to 3 hours away from central Tokyo. In addition to the lush green environment, you can also see a wonderful starry sky at night.

The Tateshina Tokyu Hotel, which I chose as my accommodation this time, is located in a resort town with vast grounds dotted with golf courses, ski resorts, tennis courts, dog runs, restaurants, villas, and hot spring facilities. On this day, we chose to have a barbecue under the stars. The fresh ingredients grilled in the cool air of an autumn night have a special flavor that cannot be enjoyed in the city. You can also stretch your arms and legs and relax in the hot springs. It's the perfect space to hang out on the weekends.

True luxury is not about superiority.
Having many new encounters and experiences

At the end of the trip, I head home in the most comfortable Bentayga car. Surrounded by the beauty of nature, which can be felt through our five senses, rather than through words or logic, we become energized again.

It is a round trip from Tokyo to Tateshina Kogen, a distance of approximately 200 km one way. However, both the driver and passengers feel surprisingly little fatigue. Where shall we go next? I feel happy that I can feel that way right now.

Fashion designer Tom Ford said, ``Touching, feeling, and seeing beauty is one of life's great pleasures.''

This is also common among young wealthy people who are looking for a Bentley these days. These aren't people who just want expensive, luxury cars or a sense of superiority. These are people who want new experiences and actions in their lives, such as touching, feeling, and seeing beautiful things.

The emergence of people who are changing the definition of luxury. Traveling with Bentley gave me a glimpse of that. Being exposed to beautiful things and feeling fulfilled gives me the joy of living. The true meaning of richness, which involves devoting one's life to pursuing beauty, is now changing.