Bentley Bentayga Speed: a luxury SUV that runs like a sports car

The new Bentley Bentayga Speed is unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, and with its 635 CV W12 engine it becomes the fastest luxury SUV in the world.

Bentley continues to rack up accolades for the Bentley Bentayga. Now, the English marque presents the new Bentayga Speed, which will make its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show. And it does so under a rather grandiloquent banner: “the fastest and most luxurious production SUV in the world.”

We have already seen what the Bentley Bentayga is capable of when it comes to flexing its muscle, setting the record at Pikes Peak in the SUV category. And although the standard version hardly needs any more, we have also seen how far the exclusivity, luxury and glamour of this SUV can go in the Bentley Bentayga Mulliner version.

Bentayga Speed: 0 to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds

Now, the Bentley Bentayga receives a modified version of the 6-litre twin-turbo W12 engine, which raises output to 635 CV, with a maximum torque of 900 Nm. The performance figures it claims are truly impressive: a top speed of 306 km/h and 0 to 100 km/h acceleration in just 3.9 seconds. It thus improves the Bentayga’s top speed by 5 km/h and shaves two tenths off its sprint time.

Is that enough to become the fastest SUV? No, because there are a few SUVs that accelerate even faster. The most powerful Tesla Model X does it in 3.1 seconds, to name just one. And if we set aside electric-powered cars, the Lamborghini Urus does it in 3.6 s, with a top speed of 305 km/h.

That is why Bentley adds the tag line of the fastest “luxury” SUV in the world. It is also the model in the Speed family, which debuted in 2007 with the Continental GT and is the fastest car the English marque has built to date.

To get the power to the tarmac (or to the trails), the Bentayga Speed features all-wheel drive and an electronically locking differential. In addition, there are up to eight driving modes, among them a new sport mode that manages the adaptive suspension and active anti-roll bars, which operate through a 48-volt electrical system.

Luxury and performance for a highly exclusive SUV

Bentley evidently considered the standard brakes sufficient to stop this heavyweight travelling at more than 300 km/h, since they offer ceramic brakes as an option. They claim these are the most powerful ceramic brakes, with the largest discs, ever fitted to a Bentley.

But it is not only its performance that sets the Bentayga Speed apart. Countless decorative details are exclusive to this version, most notably the 22-inch, 10-spoke wheels, available in up to three finishes.

Inside, the Bentayga Speed features a specific colour combination, with Alcantara trim that can be swapped for leather at no extra cost. Buyers can opt for a configuration with two or three rear seats.

Image gallery Bentley Bentayga Speed

Technical specifications of this car

CrossoverBentley Bentayga12 versions · from 216,580 €