Another milestone has been notched up by luxury car manufacturer Bentley with the company’s first SUV going into production at its factory in Crewe.

The first Bentley Bentayga to come off the line was part of an £840 million investment programme which has seen more than 1,500 jobs created. The car costs £160,000 and is capable of reaching more than 180mph with the first models due for delivery to eagerly awaiting customers in January.

The first Bentayga took 130 hours to build by hand in a new production facility at the works and it will now join Bentley’s iconic Heritage Collection.

The Bentayga was launched as a concept four years ago and putting the model into production has seen the creation of a new bodystore, paint shop and assembly line alongside the existing facilities where Bentley also makes the Continental, Flying Spur and the Mulsanne.

Wolfgang Durheimer, chairman and chief executive of Bentley Motors, said: “This car is a celebration of UK manufacturing at its very best, not only reinforcing our commitment to industry in this country, job creation and significant investment, but to our home in Crewe.”

Bentley now employs 4,000 people at the factory in Cheshire which has been its home since 1946.