The new Speed arrives hot on the heels of the next-generation Bentayga SUV, and incorporates bold exterior styling, along with an expanded suite of My Bentley onboard connectivity for the driver.
With driving dynamics a front-of-mind consideration, the new Bentayga Speed remains the storied British manufacturer’s ultimate ‘no compromise’ SUV, boasting a twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 capable of producing up to 467kW and 900Nm of torque.
Bentley Motors has announced full details of the new Bentayga Speed – the pinnacle of the Bentayga family. Hand-built at the carmaker’s Crewe factory in the north of England, the Bentayga Speed combines a twin-turbocharged W12 powertrain and many luxurious features as standard, including a ‘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 gruelling Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2018.
The new Bentayga Speed builds on the completely refreshed design of the new Bentayga which was unveiled recently and adopts 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.
As to be expected, the Bentayga Speed sports a purposeful exterior look. Dark-tint headlights, body-coloured side skirts, unique front and rear bumpers and a striking, elongated tailgate spoiler characterise the Speed’s performance credentials.
Dark-tint radiator and bumper grilles, a unique 22-inch wheel design available in two finishes (painted and dark tint) and Speed signature badging add to the sporting design cues. At the rear, the exhaust finishers are now the oval design that signifies a W12 powertrain. Dark-tint tail lamps complete the Speed exterior signature.
Inside, the Bentayga Speed introduces a dramatic design theme that balances luxury and performance. The unique Speed colour split is achieved using dark colours enhanced by primary hide accents running throughout the seats and interior trim. Elegantly crafted ‘swooshes’ of contrast leather swipe around the doors, along the edges of the seat cushions and backrest bolsters, and on the lower console.
The Speed colour split also introduces Alcantara to the cabin of the Bentayga, across the seat cushions and back rest centre panels, gear lever, steering wheel, lower knee trim areas, upper pillar trim and headliner. Customers can also choose the Leather Specification to instead have these areas trimmed in hide.
‘Speed’ seat embroidery on the backrest of all of the seats is included as standard, and as a no-cost option, customers can choose to replace the ‘Speed’ embroidery with that of the Bentley logo.
A new contrast stitching design through the diamond quilting of the Mulliner Driving Specification (included as standard) is unique to Speed, with each of the stitch lines running through the quilting being split – one to match the leather, the other in the contrast colour. Discreet metal Speed badging to the front fascia and Speed illuminated treadplates complete the signature look.
The new Bentayga Speed also introduces an advanced infotainment system. A bigger and brighter, high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen – with an anti-reflection and anti-glare coating and much improved touch functionality – now spans the entire width of the centre fascia for a more contemporary look.
The advanced navigation system features free-text, context-specific search entry, including an address or point of interest. Navigation is improved with a three-dimensional building display, satellite maps, content in the driver’s next generation Head-Up Display and several other useful features. The Head-Up Display can now project traffic information, street names and distance to destination too. As well as the usual array of media sources, wireless Apple CarPlay is now standard (in addition to the previous standard wired system), along with Android Auto.
The new Bentayga Speed now has a fully digital driver’s information panel like the Continental GT and new Flying Spur. The display brings a contemporary look to the cockpit, can be customised to the driver’s requirements, and features real-time lighting effects with elegant animations.
The latest release of the My Bentley in-car and remote connected car services are also available through the new Bentayga Speed. In-car services now being delivered through an embedded SIM, as with the latest Continental GT, means online services no longer require a data connection from a customer’s mobile device.
Essential features including real time traffic information and over-the-air map updates will be available to all customers in Bentley connected car markets. New connected features such as green traffic light prediction, and local hazard information will become available depending on market region.
The new Bentayga Speed takes the Bentayga’s extraordinary abilities to new levels, utilising the 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers peak power of 467kW. Effortless acceleration is always guaranteed thanks to 900Nm of torque. The assembly of the W12 powertrain takes the skilled engine builders approximately 10% of the total hours required for the manufacture of the Bentayga Speed.
With exceptional performance, comfort and handling, maximum speed is also increased to an astonishing 306 km/h, while the 0-100 km/h sprint is delivered in just 3.9 seconds.
However, efficiency remains 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, minimises cylinder and catalytic convertor cool down and avoids spikes in exhaust emissions. This not only benefits CO2 emissions but realises significant economy gains under part-throttle cruising conditions.
In 5th to 8th gears, when the driver releases the throttle (at motorway 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 incorporates the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilises an unrivalled 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 6,000Nm and engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1,000 °C. They also provide a weight saving of more than 20kg over iron brakes.
The next-generation Bentayga family is now almost complete, with further details on the forthcoming Bentley Bentayga Hybrid due to be made public in the weeks ahead.
