(August 16, 2020) CREWE, England — Bentley Motors has announced full details of the new Bentayga Speed — the pinnacle of the Bentayga family — with effortless performance, yet no compromise on luxury. Hand-built at Crewe, the Bentayga Speed combines the W12 powertrain and many of the model's luxurious features as standard, including the Mulliner Driving Specification.

Building on a long tradition of Speed models that was born with the Continental GT in 2007, the new Bentayga Speed maintains the performance credentials proved by its predecessor, which claimed the production SUV record at the grueling Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2018.

The new Bentayga Speed builds on the completely refreshed design of the new Bentayga, adopting the same Bentley design DNA now prevalent across the entire model range.  Introducing the very latest onboard technology and an even more cosseting cabin, the new model is significantly revised both inside and out.

Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark, commented, “The new Bentayga has already raised the benchmark for luxury SUVs, against which all others are measured. Ahead of the launch of the new Bentayga Hybrid — the world’s only definitive luxury hybrid - in the coming months, it’s important that we still recognize the customer desire for absolute performance. The new Bentayga Speed remains the fastest SUV in the world, but more than that, it’s also the most luxurious version of the new Bentayga — the best of both worlds, the pinnacle.”

The new Bentayga Speed takes the Bentayga’s extraordinary abilities to new levels, utilizing the 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers peak power 626 bhp. Effortless acceleration is always guaranteed thanks to 664 lb.ft of torque, available as a plateau from 1,500 rpm to 5,000 rpm. The assembly of the W12 powertrain takes the skilled engine builders approximately ten per cent of the total hours required for the manufacture of the Bentayga Speed.

With exceptional performance, comfort and handling, maximum speed is also increased to 190 mph  while the 0-62 mph sprint is delivered in 3.9 seconds.

Efficiency is also an important aspect of such a powerful engine; to achieve effective cylinder deactivation with the complex layout of the W12, the engine control unit deactivates one complete bank of six cylinders as required. Switching between A and B Bank using information from the inlet and exhaust sensors, minimizes cylinder and catalytic convertor cool down and avoids spikes in exhaust emissions.

In 5th to 8th gears, when the driver releases the throttle (at highway cruising speed, for example) the car will open the torque converter, dropping the engine to idle and simply allowing the car to roll or ‘sail’. When the throttle is reapplied, or the car starts going downhill and detects an increase in speed, the transmission is re-engaged.

To use this power appropriately the Bentayga Speed is equipped with four on-road Drive Dynamics modes: Comfort at one extreme, Sport at the other and with Bentley mode — the balanced recommendation of Bentley’s chassis team in Crewe — alongside a Custom mode for customers who opt to create their own driving set-up.

Uniquely in the Speed, the Sport mode has been recalibrated to enhance response from the W12 engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission, together with the air suspension system and Bentley Dynamic Ride. The effect is a more dynamic and engaging drive.

Bentley Dynamic Ride is the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilizes an unrivaled 48V system. This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling. Recalibration of Bentley’s Torque Vectoring by Brake system — whereby the car lightly brakes the inside rear wheel at corner entry to sharpen the front axle turn-in — has made Bentayga Speed even more responsive to drive.

The Bentayga Speed’s optional carbon ceramic brakes are the largest and most powerful brakes available from Bentley, with a maximum braking torque of 6,000 Nm and engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1,000 °C. They also provide a weight saving of more than 20 kg over iron brakes.

The Bentayga Speed is the most powerful and performance orientated Bentayga to date, defining its position as the pinnacle of the range. Bentayga Speed will be offered for sale in those regions where demand for 12-cylinder SUVs remains strong — the USA, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. The new Bentayga family will soon be completed by the global launch of the new Bentayga Hybrid — giving customers of the world’s best luxury SUV even more choice.