Bentley’s first SUV, the Bentayga, arrived in the market in late 2015 and since then, it has become the brand bestselling model. Now the range gets an additional variant in the form of the new Bentayga Speed which takes its place as the flagship. It combines the W12 powertrain and many of the models’ luxurious features as standard, including the Mulliner Driving Specification.
Building on a long tradition of Speed models that began 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 latest version of the SUV, adopting 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.
“The new Bentayga has already raised the benchmark for luxury SUVs, against which all others are measured. Ahead of the launch of the new Bentayga Hybrid in the coming months, it’s important that we still recognise the customer desire for absolute performance. The new Bentayga Speed remains the fastest SUV in the world but, more than that, it’s also the most luxurious version of the new Bentayga – the best of both worlds, the pinnacle,” declared Bentley’s Chairman & CEO, Adrian Hallmark.
Performance and agility
The Bentayga Speed elevates already high performance levels, exploiting the 6-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers peak power of 635 ps/900 Nm. The maximum speed is raised to 306 km/h, while the 0 – 100 km/h sprint can be completed in a claimed 3.9 seconds.
Efficiency is also an important aspect of such a powerful engine, which takes the skilled engine builders approximately 10% of the total hours required for the manufacture of the Bentayga Speed. To achieve effective cylinder deactivation with the complex layout of the W12, the engine control unit deactivates one complete bank of 6 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 carbon dioxide 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 re-applied, 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 – along with a Custom mode for customers who opt to create their own driving set-up.
Uniquely for the Speed, the Sport mode has been recalibrated to enhance response from the W12 engine and the 8-speed automatic transmission, together with the air suspension system and Bentley Dynamic Ride.
Bentley Dynamic Ride is the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilises a 48V system. This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tyre contact to deliver superior 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 Speed’s optional carbon ceramic brakes are the largest and most powerful brakes available from Bentley, with a maximum braking torque of 6,000 Nm and engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1,000 °C. They also provide a weight savings of more than 20 kgs over iron brakes.
Purposeful looks
To match the elevated levels of performance, the Bentayga Speed sports a purposeful exterior look. Dark-tint headlights, body-coloured sideskirts, unique front and rear bumpers together with dark-tint radiator and bumpers grilles, and a striking, elongated tailgate spoiler characterise the performance credentials.
A unique 22-inch wheel design is available in two finishes (painted and dark tint) and Speed signature badging to add to the sporting design cues. At the rear, the exhaust finishers are now the oval design that signifies a W12 powertrain.
17 standard paint colours are supplemented by a further 47 hues in the Extended and Mulliner ranges, with an additional 24 duo-tone options. That’s 88 options but if a customer cannot find exactly what he or she wants, the paintwork colour can be matched to any sample provided. The range is complemented by a palette of 15 hide colours, 6 colour splits and 8 veneers and 2 technical finishes.
Balance of luxury and performance inside
Inside, the Bentayga Speed introduces a dramatic design theme that balances luxury and performance. The unique Speed colour split is achieved through the use of 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.
‘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 the Speed, with each of the stitch lines running through the quilting being split.
Sector-leading infotainment
Setting new standards in the sector for customer technology interfaces, the Bentayga flagship introduces a new, cutting-edge 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.
The advanced navigation system features free-text, context-specific search entry, including an address or point of interest. Navigation is improved with a 3-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.
The fully digital driver’s information panel is similar to the one found in 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 high-resolution screen can be viewed in either Classic (traditional two-dial design of speedometer and tachometer) or Expanded format that has the right dial replaced with an area for maps and media information.
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