Truth be told, Bentley has always had an air of ‘old money’ about it. In a digitised world of overstatement and an endless desire for the next new thing, a marque that can endure the test of time and stays true to itself should be praised. However, the demand for cars from influencers and crypto millionaires has to be filled somehow. Therefore, the Bentley Bentayga Speed ticks the performance and SUV boxes. In its latest form, it once again refutes the notion that the perfect car for ‘new money’ buyers is the Lamborghini Urus, which shares plenty of similarities.
Welcome to the Dark Side
The Bentayga’s visual rework in 2020 already gave it a meaner look, but the Speed treatment takes it up a notch. The chrome trim has been ditched in favour of a moody black, although there are chrome badges denoting it is the performance model present on the exterior, and the 22-inch Speed wheels can be had in either ‘dark tint’ (black) or silver.
The roof can also be blacked out, exclusively on the Speed, with the treatment extending to the bottom of the spoiler. Depending on the body finish, this roof will be finished in either gloss or satin.
The headlights are bespoke to the Speed and feature a dark tint, inside and out, while the rear lights are grey and also feature a dark bezel.
Finally, for the first time in Bentley’s history, there’s the option of a giant 23-inch wheel when the Bentayga Speed is specced with carbon ceramic brakes, and it comes with a choice of grey satin, black or black and bright machined finishes. No matter which brakes are equipped, customers have a choice of seven ‘striking’ colours for the callipers.
Like the Standard Interior? You’re in Luck
There’s not too much deviation from the recipe for non-Speed Bentaygas inside. Sure, there are a few badges dotted around and a bespoke display for the driver, but the overall aesthetic is not dissimilar to the standard model.
This is far from a bad thing, though. A new ‘Precision Diamond’ quilt design features throughout, while there’s all the tech you could need, without buttons and dials getting the dodo treatment.
Customers who don’t gel with the old money interior design tropes can opt for the removal of the shiny stuff. The interiors are bound to be darker, anyway, as the main upholstery will be a darker colour, accented with a lighter shade, such as the lurid green seen above.
More Sonorous and Speedy than Before
Unlike other Speed models, the Bentayga is hybrid-free. It’s no slouch, though, as the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 outputs 641bhp and 850Nm of torque, spurring it onto 60mph in as little as 3.4 seconds. This shaves a second off the current V8 S and 0.5 seconds off the previous W12 Speed.
When fitted with the uprated carbon ceramic brakes, the Bentayga Speed can reach a top speed of 193mph.
Although perhaps not as buttery smooth as the W12, the new Bentley Bentayga Speed gains a more raspy edge thanks to the V8 and the inclusion of a sports exhaust as standard. For those looking to cause more of a scene upon entry, an optional Titanium Akrapovic Exhaust is available.
All-in on Driving Thrills
The new Bentley Bentayga Speed gets a couple of new features to enhance spirited driving. Firstly, and more usefully, there’s the addition of all-wheel steering, boosting manoeuvrability at slow speeds and stability at higher speeds. This Speed is also the first Bentayga to get launch control to ensure buyers never lose at the traffic lights again.
There are just three driving modes present. Both Comfort and Bentley retain the characteristics they normally possess, but Sport is dramatically different. Suspension dampening stiffness rises by 15%, while brake torque vectoring increases turn-in agility.
The carbon ceramic brakes are likely to be a costly option, but they allow the unleashing of the wild side of the Bentayga Speed. With them equipped, ESC Dynamic can be selected in Sport mode, permitting drifts and power-on oversteer. Yes, this really is a new money Bentley.
Prices haven’t been disclosed yet, but given the additional performance, don’t be too surprised if the Speed starts at close to £250k.
