Arrive In Style This Winter – Luxurious 4×4 SUVs 

Oligarchs, billionaires, the rich and famous; cars that won’t look out of place outside the most luxurious luxury ski chalets, Michelin Star Restaurants, or the Waitrose car park (yes, you maybe surprised that one or two are in the price range of many, rather than the few)!

Porsche Cayenne 4×4

When Porsche came into the 4×4 market some questioned whether a high performance sports car manufacture could make the move successfully. The answer is clearly an unequivocal yes as the Cayenne is now one of the most popular luxury SUVs to be found both in suburbia and on Alpine roads.

Renown for being the SUV that delivers sports car performance, if you select the Cayenne S Hybrid you may also be as impressed, and pleasantly surprised, by its environmental credentials too. Priced around €85,000 (£70,000), it has a 45bhp electric motor with a 333bhp V6 petrol engine, delivering 0-62mph in 5.9 seconds, but CO2 commissions of just 75 g/km and the manufacture also claims you can achieve 85.6mpg (combined)!! 

Alternatively, but less environmentally friendly, there is the premium spec at €140,000 (£120,000) which will launch you from 0-62mph in a neck braking 4.1 seconds and has a top speed of 176mph. Official CO2 figures are 267 g/km and the manufacturer’s fuel consumption is given at 24.6mpg (combined).

Off road it is capable too, it may not be in the Range Rover class off the beaten track, but nevertheless handles most conditions competently, assuming it is driven sensibly of course!

Range Rover SVAutomobile 4×4

Range Rover has steadily been taking their premium vehicle up market in recent years. The introduction of the Range Rover SVAutomobile is further evidence of this. A new long wheel base (LWB) version of the standard Range Rover models, it builds on their tried and tested luxury 4×4 formulae, but as the photo shows below, with an additional 20cm of leg room due to its increased length! So impressive is the rear space and luxury comfort, you’d be forgiven for leaving the driving to the chauffeur!

Before you hand over the keys to the man in the hat and suit, lets first tell you what’s under the bonnet in this premium option. Whilst it’s a giant of a car, a 5 litre V8 supercharged engine kicks it from a standstill to 62mph in just 5.1 seconds and boasts an astonishing 550bhp. The top speed is a restricted 155mph with the 22inch wheel option. CO2 emissions are 299 g/km and the manufacturers combined fuel consumption is given as 22.1mpg. Prices start around €140,000 (£125,000) before optional extras.

Range Rover SVAutomobile or the Bentley Bentayga below – we’ll let you decide?

Masserati 4×4

This iconic brand has been on an upward curve in recent years. Part of the Fiat family (since 1993) that of course includes Ferrari in its stable. The price is pleasantly surprising (see below), but this doesn’t mean you have to compromise in  terms of looks, style or performance. The interior is sporting and luxurious, and with the 3.0-litre V6 turbo diesel accelerating to 62mph in 6.9 and a top speed of143mph, it’s no slouch either. 

Despite the Masserati badge, prices start at just €70,000 (£55,000) before options and brings a this luxury sports marque in the range of many.

Bentley Bentayga 4×4

Whilst pushed hard by the Range Rover SVAutomobile above, many would suggest that the Bentley Bentayga to be the most exclusive 4×4 production SUV on the market currently. Few would argue that it stands head and sholders above other 4x4s for maximum impact when arriving in the Alps. The premium option is the W12 6.0 litre engine version that generates a maximum speed of 187mph, and despite being 2.4 tonnes, gets to 62mph from a standing start in just 4 seconds – amazing! Clearly a beast in size and performance – but a very beautiful beast it has to be said! Journeys to the Alps however will require a few stops however as it returns an average 22.1mpg (combined). Environmentally conscious buyers could opt for the V8 4.0 litre diesel that still achieves 4.8 seconds 0-62mph but also a very respectful 35.8mpg an CO2 emissions of 210 g/km compared to 296 g/km in the petrol version.

Being Bentley off course it isn’t just about speed, inside luxurious leather and artisan stitched trims ensure that the interior exceeds even the most discerning clients expectations. Prices start at around €200,000 (£165,000) to ensure it is a car for exclusive purposes only.

The One’s Worth Waiting For

And if you thought the above list stands out for the crowd, things are about to get a whole lot better:

Lamborghini Urus 4×4 – Anticipated Release Date 2017

The Urus concept was first revealed in 2012 at the Chines Motor Show and since then has been one of the most eagerly awaited 4×4 vehicles. However, if the rumours are to be believed there was some debate in the VW Group whether it would ever see the light of day, hard to believe when it has such stunning looks! Thankfully Lamborghini’s parent company saw sense and the Urus is set to enter production later this year (2016) for delivery in 2017. This said, if you aren’t on the waiting list currently, it is likely to be 2020 before you’re driving yours to the slopes such is the demand already!

Details are still limited but we think engines will probably be based around Audi’s V8 range (4.0 litre petrol and turbo diesel) with prices around the €225,000 (£200,000) mark before any extra’s.

Rolls Royce Cullinan 4×4 – Anticipated Release Date 2018

Merely whispering Rolls Royce and 4×4 together is enough to send the rich and famous running for their chequebooks! And now it really is going to happen!! Rolls Royce have now confirmed its release from the drawing boards into the production facilities, probably in late 2018, early 2019. Whilst concept photos are abound (see below), Rolls Royce has kept the Cullinan well under wraps and the test vehicles seen on the roads are merely Phantoms cut down to simulate the Cullinan characteristics. The closest we think to the likely end product is probably below as opposed to some of the harsher lines  in other photos. 

With prices estimated to start at around €300,00 (£265,000), this won’t be a car for the average man in the street, or for anything other than the very best ski resorts in the Alps!


NB: Whilst all vehicles listed above are truly magnificent machines, Please drive responsibly and within the law – stay safe and happy holidays from the Chalet Ski Holidays team.