The fastest Bentley Bentayga has just got faster. A new version of the Bentayga Speed tops 190 mph and cuts half a second off the car’s previous best 0-62 mph run.
It does more with less, at least when it comes to engine capacity and cylinder count because, now that the firm’s unusual W-12 has been axed, the Bentley Bentayga Speed is powered by a twin-turbo, four-liter V-8 instead. It makes 650 horsepower and 627 lbft of torque, and, by deploying a new launch control system the Bentayga will blast to the benchmark 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds. Top speed is 193 mph.
As the old ad campaign goes, power is nothing without control, and the Bentayaga Speed gets an array of updates to improve its dynamics. All-wheel steering aids agility at low-to-medium speeds and enhances stability during high-speed maneuvers. A revised Sport setting increases suspension stiffness by 15 percent for flatter, faster cornering, and there’s torque vectoring to allow a sharper turn-in and better power deployment on corner exit.
If you’d like to showboat in your land yacht then there’s also a new setting for the ESC system giving the Bentayga “the ability to generate on-throttle slip angles.” Yep, it’s got a drift mode, so look out for lurid cars and coffee departures.
Steel brakes are standard, along with 22-inch alloys, but on the options list you’ll find ceramic stoppers, 23-inch wheels and even a more audible Akrapovic exhaust system.
The Bentley Bentayga Speed is distinguished from the V-8 S by its dark tint brightwork, badging, tinted headlamps and tail lights, plus the option of a black roof. Inside, there’s a Speed driver display, fascia and kickplate badges, and the choice of dark trim. The seats get a special diamond quilt design and a two-tone color scheme.
It’s quite simply “the most powerful and dynamic Bentayga ever, without losing an iota of what makes a Bentley, a Bentley,” according to the British carmaker.
Having seen a Bentayga on the road I am not impressed with it’s looks. The Coupe is stylish, the SUV not so much.