► New Bentley Bentayga Speed revealed
► W12 retired in favour of V8
► Now has 641bhp, claims to be ‘most dynamic’ SUV yet
Bentley says this new Bentayga Speed is its most powerful and ‘most dynamic’ SUV ever, saying that significant chassis improvements have been made.
The new flagship Bentayga model now features a V8 – rather than a W12 – and remains Hybrid-free, unlike the latest Continental GT Speed. Here, a new version of the 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 is used, developing 641bhp and 627lb ft. Bentley says this drops the 0-60mph time down to 3.4 seconds – compared to 3.9sec for the old W12-powered Bentayga Speed, and 4.4sec for the Bentayga S.
It’s not just about power, though. The car’s Sport mode has been overhauled with sharper steering responses and a 15 per cent increase in damper stiffness. The Speed now includes all-wheel steering for quicker responses in corners.
Then things get proper hooligan-ish, as Bentley says the ESC Sport program allows for big power oversteer drifts – yes, really.
Go ham with the options list and you can spec carbon ceramic brakes and, more importantly, an Akrapovič exhaust – something that will almost certainly startle the race horses in the stables.
Muted design differences include unique wheel designs (22s are standard, 23s are an option) and headlights. Inside, bespoke quilting on the seats as well as Speed stitching and plaques.
Jake has been an automotive journalist since 2015, joining CAR as Staff Writer in 2017. With a decade of car news and reviews writing under his belt, he became CAR's Deputy News Editor in 2020 and then News Editor in 2025. Jake's day-to-day role includes co-ordinating CAR's news content across its print, digital and social media channels. When he's not out interviewing an executive, driving a new car for review or on a photoshoot for a CAR feature, he's usually found geeking out on the latest video game, buying yet another pair of wildly-coloured trainers or figuring out where he can put another car-shaped Lego set in his already-full house.
By Jake Groves
CAR's news editor; gamer, trainer freak and serial Lego-ist
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