Automotive

Bentley drops "world's fastest SUV" crown on the new Bentayga Speed

Bentley drops "world's fastest SUV" crown on the new Bentayga Speed
For the past decade or so, the Speed label on Bentley products has meant outlandish amounts of power
For the past decade or so, the Speed label on Bentley products has meant outlandish amounts of power
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The Bentayga Speed sees a few changes to its exterior to go with the engine boost
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The Bentayga Speed sees a few changes to its exterior to go with the engine boost
For the past decade or so, the Speed label on Bentley products has meant outlandish amounts of power
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For the past decade or so, the Speed label on Bentley products has meant outlandish amounts of power
The blackened radiator and bumper grilles and 22-inch wheels (available in three finishes) are giveaways to the Bentayga Speed model’s credentials
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The blackened radiator and bumper grilles and 22-inch wheels (available in three finishes) are giveaways to the Bentayga Speed model’s credentials
With 664 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque, the W12 can propel the Bentayga Speed to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h)
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With 664 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque, the W12 can propel the Bentayga Speed to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h)
The Bentayga Speed also has some bespoke options for customer specification. These include carbon ceramic brakes
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The Bentayga Speed also has some bespoke options for customer specification. These include carbon ceramic brakes
The Bentley Bentayga Speed uses the same sport-tuned eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive system as the standard model
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The Bentley Bentayga Speed uses the same sport-tuned eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive system as the standard model
The Bentayga Speed has a unique tailgate spoiler design
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The Bentayga Speed has a unique tailgate spoiler design
The interior of the Speed model Bentayga includes Alcantara materials, a first for the Bentley brand
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The interior of the Speed model Bentayga includes Alcantara materials, a first for the Bentley brand
Speed logos are found hidden in the door grab and seat cushion edges as well as the lower console
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Speed logos are found hidden in the door grab and seat cushion edges as well as the lower console
As if the huge 6.0-liter W12 engine in the Bentayga weren’t already enough, the Speed model will increase output to 626 bhp (467 kW)
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As if the huge 6.0-liter W12 engine in the Bentayga weren’t already enough, the Speed model will increase output to 626 bhp (467 kW)
The big W12 can propel the Bentayga Speed to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h)
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The big W12 can propel the Bentayga Speed to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h)
View gallery - 11 images

Bentley has claimed the title of world's fastest production sport utility with the 190 mph, 626 bhp, 664 pound-foot Bentayga Speed. Set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month, the Bentley Bentayga Speed boasts a sub-4-second 0-62 and a massive turbocharged W12 engine. What's not to like?

The realm of super luxury vehicles is small, but endlessly fascinating. The crew from Crewe is well known for its super-high-end offerings, with the Bentley nameplate having one of the most storied backgrounds in the business. For the past decade or so, the Speed tag on Bentley products has meant outlandish amounts of power. The new Bentayga Speed SUV is no different.

As if the huge 6.0-liter W12 engine weren't enough, the Speed increases output to 626 bhp (467 kW) by upping turbo boost – that's 26 ponies more than the regular old W12 Bentayga that Rhys Millen drove in his record-setting Pikes Peak climb. With 664 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque, the W12 can propel the Bentayga Speed to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h) – two tenths of a second and 3 mph better than the standard model).

The Bentayga Speed sees a few changes to its exterior to go with the engine boost. Dark tint headlamps and a tailgate spoiler are the first things to be noticed. The blackened radiator and bumper grilles and 22-inch wheels (available in three finishes) are also hint at the Speed model's extra-special credentials.

The interior of the Speed model Bentayga includes Alcantara materials, a first for the Bentley brand
The interior of the Speed model Bentayga includes Alcantara materials, a first for the Bentley brand

The interior includes Alcantara materials, a first for the Bentley brand, while Speed logos are found hidden in the door grab and seat cushion edges as well as the lower console. Contrast stitching on the diamond quilting is another indicator of this special edition's status, as is the illuminated Speed treadplate signature.

If you're going to go this far, you'll probably want to tick the box on some of the Bentayga Speed's optional extras such as carbon ceramic brakes, 22-way adjustable front seating with massage, carbon fiber fascia panels, mood lighting, and a rear seat entertainment system. Those carbon brakes reduce the Bentayga's weight by more than 44 pounds (20 kg).

With 664 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque, the W12 can propel the Bentayga Speed to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h)
With 664 pound-feet (900 Nm) of torque, the W12 can propel the Bentayga Speed to 62 mph (0-100 km/h) in just 3.9 seconds and to a top speed of 190 mph (306 km/h)

The Speed uses the same sport-tuned eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive system as the standard model, including its electronic differential lock and eight drive modes. There are some programming changes, with Sport mode settings adjusted to accommodate the increased power output, along with tweaked exhaust and suspension tuning.

To compare, the standard model Bentley Bentayga has a power output of 608 ps (447 kW) from its turbocharged W12. The Speed model adds more turbo boosting to achieve its 635 ps (467 kW). Top speed is thus raised from 187 mph (301 km/h) to 190 mph (306 km/h). Acceleration to 100 km/h is improved by two tenths of a second as well.

The Bentley Bentayga Speed is slated to go on sale later this year. We'll bring you more details when it makes its debut in Geneva.

Source: Bentley

View gallery - 11 images
5 comments
5 comments
WB
Let's not kid ourselves.. the world's fastest SUV title goes to the Tesla Model X P100D - 0-60 in 2.8s, which means it also will smoke this Bentley on a quarter mile.
Tig
WB, I couldn't agree more. The Tesla is terrific. Only it whips the Bentley on acceleration not speed (I think the Model X tops out at 155mph) and frankly, everything else. I'm British and this sort of throw-more-fuel-leather-and-chrome-trim-at-it design and development is crushingly disappointing.
Gannet
What's not to like ? I'd say the fuel bill, and the eventual maintenance costs of 12 cylinders. As others mentioned the Model X is *quicker* - acceleration can be used frequently. As for fastest, how often would you drive an SUV over 150mph?
joe46
LOL, petrol power is so last century, If I bought that, the first thing I'd do is rip the guts out and throw an electric motor in. That would make it quicker (and cheaper to run).
DreadUK
Too bad a Tesla takes hours to recharge, assuming one doesn't want to fry the battery.
Too bad the Bently could cruise at 100 MPH for 300 miles before needing a 5 minute fuel stop. A Tesla would last 100 miles at those speeds and take 24 hours to complete the journey.
To bad a Tesla is powered by coal, or gas; it's emissions are merely displaced not magically removed.