The Bentayga as a Daily Grand Tourer: Why a Bentley SUV Earned Its Place in the Lineup
When the original Bentayga arrived in 2015, Bentley did something the brand had never done before. It built an SUV. For a company whose name had...
Read moreBentley Bentayga Speed Sets New Record at Goodwood
At the latest edition of the Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Bentley Bentayga Speed made history by becoming the fastest production combustion-engine SUV ever timed on the iconic hill climb. Despite a partially wet track, it completed the course in 55.8 seconds, setting a new benchmark for its category. That’s a full second faster than the previous W12-powered version—achieved in dry conditions.
Twin-Turbo V8 Engine Tuned for Performance
Powering the Bentayga Speed is a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 producing 650 horsepower. With this setup, the SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and can reach a top speed of 310 km/h. Beyond sheer numbers, the engine delivers a refined, aggressive sound—thanks in part to the standard sports exhaust system. For those seeking an even more visceral soundtrack, an optional titanium Akrapovič exhaust is available.
Circuit-Ready Handling, Everyday Driveability
The Bentayga Speed isn’t just about straight-line speed—it also benefits from refined dynamics, especially in its enhanced SPORT mode. This setting sharpens steering response, increases damping stiffness by 15%, and improves overall feedback. Torque vectoring via braking boosts cornering agility, while the optional carbon-ceramic brakes with Dynamic ESC enable more liberal control limits, allowing drivers to explore the V8’s full potential.
Four-Wheel Steering: Precision Meets Practicality
For even better agility, the latest Bentayga Speed now features four-wheel steering. At low and medium speeds, the rear wheels turn opposite to the front, reducing the turning radius and making manoeuvring easier. At high speeds, they steer in the same direction as the front wheels to enhance stability. Whether on a twisty circuit or a city street, this tech delivers both precision and comfort.
Bold Styling That Stands Out
The Bentayga Speed also asserts its status with exclusive styling cues:
- Signature “Speed” badging on the doors
- Unique 22-inch wheels (or optional 23-inch versions with carbon-ceramic brakes)
- Darkened grille and headlight treatments
- Grey-tinted taillights
To further personalize the vehicle, customers can choose from seven different brake caliper colours, adding a custom touch to this high-performance SUV.
A Factory Driver Behind the Wheel
The record-setting run was piloted by Andy Marson, Bentley’s vehicle dynamics specialist and an experienced Goodwood driver. Despite a damp section on the latter half of the climb, he hit 209 km/h before approaching the tricky Molecomb Corner, showcasing not just the Bentayga Speed’s brute force, but also its composure and control under pressure.
With this record-breaking performance at Goodwood, the Bentley Bentayga Speed firmly reasserts itself as a leader in the world of high-performance luxury SUVs. Combining raw power, cutting-edge technology, and unmistakable style, it proves that a spacious, refined vehicle can more than hold its own against pure sports cars on the track. More than just a stopwatch achievement, this milestone reflects Bentley’s relentless drive to push the boundaries of performance and sophistication.
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