Flagship Luxury SUV Released Last Year
The Bentley vehicle driven by trot singer Kim Ho-jung (33), who caused a hit-and-run accident in the heart of Gangnam, has become a topic of discussion.
Kim's car is estimated to be the Bentley ‘The New Bentayga EWB’ model. It is a flagship luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) unveiled in December last year, marking a new model introduced six years after the Bentayga was launched in Korea in 2017. ‘EWB’ stands for ‘Extended Wheelbase,’ emphasizing a wheelbase length that is 180mm longer than the existing Bentayga.
This model features airline seats equipped with an automatic temperature detection and posture adjustment system, inspired by first-class seats on private jets. The seats are notable for being the world’s first to incorporate an automatic temperature detection system.
Additionally, for the first time in the brand’s history, it applies a power closing door function, allowing the rear doors to be closed electrically by pressing a button attached to the rear of the center console. It is equipped with a 4.0ℓ V8 twin-turbo gasoline engine delivering a maximum output of 550 horsepower (PS) and a peak torque of 78.5 kg·m. Combined with an 8-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system, it accelerates from 0 km/h to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, with a top speed of 290 km/h.
The official sales price in Korea starts at 340.3 million KRW. Including options and vehicle acquisition tax, it is believed that the purchase price exceeded 400 million KRW at the time of purchase. This price is equivalent to that of a decent apartment. According to the ‘April Nationwide Housing Price Trend Survey’ recently announced by the Korea Real Estate Agency, the median price of apartments nationwide is 321 million KRW.
Kim Ho-jung is known to have been financially struggling to the point of hardship until a few years ago. Before becoming a singer, during his teenage years, he was involved with organized crime, but after his grandmother passed away from cancer, leaving a dying wish to “live properly,” he refocused and received vocal training. He gained opportunities to study abroad in Germany and Italy after appearing on SBS entertainment show ‘Star King.’ In 2020, he rose to prominence by finishing fourth in the TV Chosun entertainment competition ‘Tomorrow’s Mr. Trot.’
On the night of the 9th, around 11:40 PM, Kim was involved in a collision with an oncoming taxi while changing lanes in Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and fled the scene. Amid suspicions of hit-and-run, drunk driving, and driver substitution, he appointed lawyer Cho Nam-gwan, who served as acting Prosecutor General, as his defense attorney. Kim’s side expressed their intention to proceed with scheduled performances, including shows in Changwon on the 18th and 19th, as well as concerts in Seoul next week and Gimcheon the following weekend.
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