BMW Speedtop: Exclusive V8 three-door wagon revealed
BMW pulled the covers off the Speedtop at the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, this weekend.
The Speedtop is a follow up to last year's slinky Skytop convertible unveiled in the same location. The two cars are closely related, sharing their doors as well as everything forward of the windscreen.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Both cars have a V-shaped front end with slim headlights, and smooth surfaces that stand in stark contrast to the somewhat brutalist designs adorning many of the brand's latest models.
Aft of the door is a much longer quarter window, while at the back there's quite a steeply raked windscreen for a wagon. The tailgate only extends as far as the slim LED tail-lights, meaning the lift over height to get lugged into boot is quite high.
Despite the extended roof line, and fully enclosed cabin, the Speedtop is strictly a two-seat affair. Instead of a rear bench, there are two luggage receptacles with leather holding straps.
Schedoni, a Italian leather goods manufacturer specialising in road trip luggage, has crafted a pair of bags to fit in those slots, as well as a weekend bag that fits in the Speedtop's leather-lined boot.
A much larger storage area lies under the boot floor, which is propped by gas struts.
According to BMW, the Speedtop is equipped with the company's most-powerful road-going V8 engine, which would mean the 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the M8 Competition. In that car, the V8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and drives all four wheels.
Under the skin, both the Speedtop and Skytop are based on the 8 Series, and this connection is most evident when you step inside.
While the exterior shares no panels with the 8 Series, the cabin is a straight lift, although every conceivable surface has been re-trimmed in the softest-looking leather.
The dash, upper doors, steering wheel and central armrest are finished in Sundown Maroon to match the exterior's Floating Sunstone Maroon paint.
The seats and lower section of the doors, centre tunnel and glovebox are clad in contrasting Moonstone White leather.
Although the Speedtop is being presented a concept car, it will be produced in a limited run of 70 cars, and sold to "collectors and connoisseurs". Last year's Skytop was also put into production, and its production run is capped at 50 cars.
There's no word on how much the Speedtop will cost, but it will likely be over US$1 million (A$1.5 million).
BMW's other unveiling at Lake Como this year was the BMW M2 CS, which lies at the other end of the design spectrum with its brutish looks.
MORE: Everything BMW 8 Series
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
BMW pulled the covers off the Speedtop at the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, this weekend.
The Speedtop is a follow up to last year's slinky Skytop convertible unveiled in the same location. The two cars are closely related, sharing their doors as well as everything forward of the windscreen.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Both cars have a V-shaped front end with slim headlights, and smooth surfaces that stand in stark contrast to the somewhat brutalist designs adorning many of the brand's latest models.
Aft of the door is a much longer quarter window, while at the back there's quite a steeply raked windscreen for a wagon. The tailgate only extends as far as the slim LED tail-lights, meaning the lift over height to get lugged into boot is quite high.
Despite the extended roof line, and fully enclosed cabin, the Speedtop is strictly a two-seat affair. Instead of a rear bench, there are two luggage receptacles with leather holding straps.
Schedoni, a Italian leather goods manufacturer specialising in road trip luggage, has crafted a pair of bags to fit in those slots, as well as a weekend bag that fits in the Speedtop's leather-lined boot.
A much larger storage area lies under the boot floor, which is propped by gas struts.
According to BMW, the Speedtop is equipped with the company's most-powerful road-going V8 engine, which would mean the 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the M8 Competition. In that car, the V8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and drives all four wheels.
Under the skin, both the Speedtop and Skytop are based on the 8 Series, and this connection is most evident when you step inside.
While the exterior shares no panels with the 8 Series, the cabin is a straight lift, although every conceivable surface has been re-trimmed in the softest-looking leather.
The dash, upper doors, steering wheel and central armrest are finished in Sundown Maroon to match the exterior's Floating Sunstone Maroon paint.
The seats and lower section of the doors, centre tunnel and glovebox are clad in contrasting Moonstone White leather.
Although the Speedtop is being presented a concept car, it will be produced in a limited run of 70 cars, and sold to "collectors and connoisseurs". Last year's Skytop was also put into production, and its production run is capped at 50 cars.
There's no word on how much the Speedtop will cost, but it will likely be over US$1 million (A$1.5 million).
BMW's other unveiling at Lake Como this year was the BMW M2 CS, which lies at the other end of the design spectrum with its brutish looks.
MORE: Everything BMW 8 Series
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
BMW pulled the covers off the Speedtop at the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, this weekend.
The Speedtop is a follow up to last year's slinky Skytop convertible unveiled in the same location. The two cars are closely related, sharing their doors as well as everything forward of the windscreen.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Both cars have a V-shaped front end with slim headlights, and smooth surfaces that stand in stark contrast to the somewhat brutalist designs adorning many of the brand's latest models.
Aft of the door is a much longer quarter window, while at the back there's quite a steeply raked windscreen for a wagon. The tailgate only extends as far as the slim LED tail-lights, meaning the lift over height to get lugged into boot is quite high.
Despite the extended roof line, and fully enclosed cabin, the Speedtop is strictly a two-seat affair. Instead of a rear bench, there are two luggage receptacles with leather holding straps.
Schedoni, a Italian leather goods manufacturer specialising in road trip luggage, has crafted a pair of bags to fit in those slots, as well as a weekend bag that fits in the Speedtop's leather-lined boot.
A much larger storage area lies under the boot floor, which is propped by gas struts.
According to BMW, the Speedtop is equipped with the company's most-powerful road-going V8 engine, which would mean the 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the M8 Competition. In that car, the V8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and drives all four wheels.
Under the skin, both the Speedtop and Skytop are based on the 8 Series, and this connection is most evident when you step inside.
While the exterior shares no panels with the 8 Series, the cabin is a straight lift, although every conceivable surface has been re-trimmed in the softest-looking leather.
The dash, upper doors, steering wheel and central armrest are finished in Sundown Maroon to match the exterior's Floating Sunstone Maroon paint.
The seats and lower section of the doors, centre tunnel and glovebox are clad in contrasting Moonstone White leather.
Although the Speedtop is being presented a concept car, it will be produced in a limited run of 70 cars, and sold to "collectors and connoisseurs". Last year's Skytop was also put into production, and its production run is capped at 50 cars.
There's no word on how much the Speedtop will cost, but it will likely be over US$1 million (A$1.5 million).
BMW's other unveiling at Lake Como this year was the BMW M2 CS, which lies at the other end of the design spectrum with its brutish looks.
MORE: Everything BMW 8 Series
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
BMW pulled the covers off the Speedtop at the 2025 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este on the shores of Lake Como, Italy, this weekend.
The Speedtop is a follow up to last year's slinky Skytop convertible unveiled in the same location. The two cars are closely related, sharing their doors as well as everything forward of the windscreen.
Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
Both cars have a V-shaped front end with slim headlights, and smooth surfaces that stand in stark contrast to the somewhat brutalist designs adorning many of the brand's latest models.
Aft of the door is a much longer quarter window, while at the back there's quite a steeply raked windscreen for a wagon. The tailgate only extends as far as the slim LED tail-lights, meaning the lift over height to get lugged into boot is quite high.
Despite the extended roof line, and fully enclosed cabin, the Speedtop is strictly a two-seat affair. Instead of a rear bench, there are two luggage receptacles with leather holding straps.
Schedoni, a Italian leather goods manufacturer specialising in road trip luggage, has crafted a pair of bags to fit in those slots, as well as a weekend bag that fits in the Speedtop's leather-lined boot.
A much larger storage area lies under the boot floor, which is propped by gas struts.
According to BMW, the Speedtop is equipped with the company's most-powerful road-going V8 engine, which would mean the 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 from the M8 Competition. In that car, the V8 is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission, and drives all four wheels.
Under the skin, both the Speedtop and Skytop are based on the 8 Series, and this connection is most evident when you step inside.
While the exterior shares no panels with the 8 Series, the cabin is a straight lift, although every conceivable surface has been re-trimmed in the softest-looking leather.
The dash, upper doors, steering wheel and central armrest are finished in Sundown Maroon to match the exterior's Floating Sunstone Maroon paint.
The seats and lower section of the doors, centre tunnel and glovebox are clad in contrasting Moonstone White leather.
Although the Speedtop is being presented a concept car, it will be produced in a limited run of 70 cars, and sold to "collectors and connoisseurs". Last year's Skytop was also put into production, and its production run is capped at 50 cars.
There's no word on how much the Speedtop will cost, but it will likely be over US$1 million (A$1.5 million).
BMW's other unveiling at Lake Como this year was the BMW M2 CS, which lies at the other end of the design spectrum with its brutish looks.
MORE: Everything BMW 8 Series
Content originally sourced from: CarExpert.com.au
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2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed revealed as British brand's fastest SUV yet
It seems the axing of Bentley's legendary twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 last year wasn't all bad news, since the V8 that replaces it in the upgraded 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed makes the British brand's flagship SUV even quicker, faster, lighter and more agile than before. Revealed overnight ahead of first Australian customer deliveries in the third quarter (July to September) of 2026, the refreshed Bentayga Speed is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 478kW of power and 850Nm of torque (over 2250-4500rpm). That's up 11kW but down 50Nm on the 12-cylinder model it replaces, yet because the V8 reduces kerb weight by 42kg to a still-hefty 2466kg, the latest Bentayga Speed is claimed to hit 60mph (97km/h) from standstill half a second sooner, in 3.4 seconds. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Given that 0-60mph time equates to a 0-100km/h time of about 3.5 seconds, it means the flagship version of Bentley's only SUV is now as quick as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV and the Kia EV6 GT electric 'SUV' (and now much quicker than a base Porsche 911). However, it's still slower than a host of other high-performance SUVs, including the Lamborghini Urus Performante, Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX707 (all of which claim a 3.3-second 0-100km/h time), and electric SUVs including the Lotus Eletre R (2.9s), Porsche Macan Electric Turbo (3.3s) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (3.4s) Bentley says the newest Bentayga Speed is also faster than ever, with its top speed of 310km/h – almost 5km/h more than before – matching the DBX707 and bettering the Purosangue, but falling just short of the Urus SE Hybrid. To show off its extra pace, the V8-powered Speed scores a sports exhaust system as standard, but an optional Akrapovic titanium unit with quad outlets should make up for its four fewer cylinders when it comes to the exhaust note. There are also revised drive modes including a Sport mode that increases damping stiffness by 15 per cent and increases the stability control system threshold to "permit exhilarating drift angles". Combined with less weight over its nose, rear-wheel steering increases both high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability, leading Bentley to claim the Speed is its most agile SUV ever. Cosmetically, the top-shelf Bentayga wears Speed badges on the outside and rides on unique 22-inch wheels, with the option of 23-inch rims wrapped around carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Completing the Speed package inside is a revised digital instrument cluster layout, Speed badging on the seats, scuff plates and the passenger side of the dashboard, and special quilted Precision Diamon trim highlights. Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the existing Bentayga Speed is priced at $531,500 before on-road costs, positioning it well above the entry-level 404kW/770Nm Bentayga V8 and the 340kW/700Nm V6 Hybrid (both priced from $395,800), as well as S and Azure variants with the same powertrains. The Mulliner Hybrid tops Bentley Australia's current Bentayga range at $646,800 plus on-roads. Content originally sourced from: It seems the axing of Bentley's legendary twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 last year wasn't all bad news, since the V8 that replaces it in the upgraded 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed makes the British brand's flagship SUV even quicker, faster, lighter and more agile than before. Revealed overnight ahead of first Australian customer deliveries in the third quarter (July to September) of 2026, the refreshed Bentayga Speed is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 478kW of power and 850Nm of torque (over 2250-4500rpm). That's up 11kW but down 50Nm on the 12-cylinder model it replaces, yet because the V8 reduces kerb weight by 42kg to a still-hefty 2466kg, the latest Bentayga Speed is claimed to hit 60mph (97km/h) from standstill half a second sooner, in 3.4 seconds. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Given that 0-60mph time equates to a 0-100km/h time of about 3.5 seconds, it means the flagship version of Bentley's only SUV is now as quick as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV and the Kia EV6 GT electric 'SUV' (and now much quicker than a base Porsche 911). However, it's still slower than a host of other high-performance SUVs, including the Lamborghini Urus Performante, Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX707 (all of which claim a 3.3-second 0-100km/h time), and electric SUVs including the Lotus Eletre R (2.9s), Porsche Macan Electric Turbo (3.3s) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (3.4s) Bentley says the newest Bentayga Speed is also faster than ever, with its top speed of 310km/h – almost 5km/h more than before – matching the DBX707 and bettering the Purosangue, but falling just short of the Urus SE Hybrid. To show off its extra pace, the V8-powered Speed scores a sports exhaust system as standard, but an optional Akrapovic titanium unit with quad outlets should make up for its four fewer cylinders when it comes to the exhaust note. There are also revised drive modes including a Sport mode that increases damping stiffness by 15 per cent and increases the stability control system threshold to "permit exhilarating drift angles". Combined with less weight over its nose, rear-wheel steering increases both high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability, leading Bentley to claim the Speed is its most agile SUV ever. Cosmetically, the top-shelf Bentayga wears Speed badges on the outside and rides on unique 22-inch wheels, with the option of 23-inch rims wrapped around carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Completing the Speed package inside is a revised digital instrument cluster layout, Speed badging on the seats, scuff plates and the passenger side of the dashboard, and special quilted Precision Diamon trim highlights. Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the existing Bentayga Speed is priced at $531,500 before on-road costs, positioning it well above the entry-level 404kW/770Nm Bentayga V8 and the 340kW/700Nm V6 Hybrid (both priced from $395,800), as well as S and Azure variants with the same powertrains. The Mulliner Hybrid tops Bentley Australia's current Bentayga range at $646,800 plus on-roads. Content originally sourced from: It seems the axing of Bentley's legendary twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 last year wasn't all bad news, since the V8 that replaces it in the upgraded 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed makes the British brand's flagship SUV even quicker, faster, lighter and more agile than before. Revealed overnight ahead of first Australian customer deliveries in the third quarter (July to September) of 2026, the refreshed Bentayga Speed is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 478kW of power and 850Nm of torque (over 2250-4500rpm). That's up 11kW but down 50Nm on the 12-cylinder model it replaces, yet because the V8 reduces kerb weight by 42kg to a still-hefty 2466kg, the latest Bentayga Speed is claimed to hit 60mph (97km/h) from standstill half a second sooner, in 3.4 seconds. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Given that 0-60mph time equates to a 0-100km/h time of about 3.5 seconds, it means the flagship version of Bentley's only SUV is now as quick as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV and the Kia EV6 GT electric 'SUV' (and now much quicker than a base Porsche 911). However, it's still slower than a host of other high-performance SUVs, including the Lamborghini Urus Performante, Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX707 (all of which claim a 3.3-second 0-100km/h time), and electric SUVs including the Lotus Eletre R (2.9s), Porsche Macan Electric Turbo (3.3s) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (3.4s) Bentley says the newest Bentayga Speed is also faster than ever, with its top speed of 310km/h – almost 5km/h more than before – matching the DBX707 and bettering the Purosangue, but falling just short of the Urus SE Hybrid. To show off its extra pace, the V8-powered Speed scores a sports exhaust system as standard, but an optional Akrapovic titanium unit with quad outlets should make up for its four fewer cylinders when it comes to the exhaust note. There are also revised drive modes including a Sport mode that increases damping stiffness by 15 per cent and increases the stability control system threshold to "permit exhilarating drift angles". Combined with less weight over its nose, rear-wheel steering increases both high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability, leading Bentley to claim the Speed is its most agile SUV ever. Cosmetically, the top-shelf Bentayga wears Speed badges on the outside and rides on unique 22-inch wheels, with the option of 23-inch rims wrapped around carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Completing the Speed package inside is a revised digital instrument cluster layout, Speed badging on the seats, scuff plates and the passenger side of the dashboard, and special quilted Precision Diamon trim highlights. Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the existing Bentayga Speed is priced at $531,500 before on-road costs, positioning it well above the entry-level 404kW/770Nm Bentayga V8 and the 340kW/700Nm V6 Hybrid (both priced from $395,800), as well as S and Azure variants with the same powertrains. The Mulliner Hybrid tops Bentley Australia's current Bentayga range at $646,800 plus on-roads. Content originally sourced from: It seems the axing of Bentley's legendary twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 last year wasn't all bad news, since the V8 that replaces it in the upgraded 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed makes the British brand's flagship SUV even quicker, faster, lighter and more agile than before. Revealed overnight ahead of first Australian customer deliveries in the third quarter (July to September) of 2026, the refreshed Bentayga Speed is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 478kW of power and 850Nm of torque (over 2250-4500rpm). That's up 11kW but down 50Nm on the 12-cylinder model it replaces, yet because the V8 reduces kerb weight by 42kg to a still-hefty 2466kg, the latest Bentayga Speed is claimed to hit 60mph (97km/h) from standstill half a second sooner, in 3.4 seconds. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Given that 0-60mph time equates to a 0-100km/h time of about 3.5 seconds, it means the flagship version of Bentley's only SUV is now as quick as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV and the Kia EV6 GT electric 'SUV' (and now much quicker than a base Porsche 911). However, it's still slower than a host of other high-performance SUVs, including the Lamborghini Urus Performante, Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX707 (all of which claim a 3.3-second 0-100km/h time), and electric SUVs including the Lotus Eletre R (2.9s), Porsche Macan Electric Turbo (3.3s) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (3.4s) Bentley says the newest Bentayga Speed is also faster than ever, with its top speed of 310km/h – almost 5km/h more than before – matching the DBX707 and bettering the Purosangue, but falling just short of the Urus SE Hybrid. To show off its extra pace, the V8-powered Speed scores a sports exhaust system as standard, but an optional Akrapovic titanium unit with quad outlets should make up for its four fewer cylinders when it comes to the exhaust note. There are also revised drive modes including a Sport mode that increases damping stiffness by 15 per cent and increases the stability control system threshold to "permit exhilarating drift angles". Combined with less weight over its nose, rear-wheel steering increases both high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability, leading Bentley to claim the Speed is its most agile SUV ever. Cosmetically, the top-shelf Bentayga wears Speed badges on the outside and rides on unique 22-inch wheels, with the option of 23-inch rims wrapped around carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Completing the Speed package inside is a revised digital instrument cluster layout, Speed badging on the seats, scuff plates and the passenger side of the dashboard, and special quilted Precision Diamon trim highlights. Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the existing Bentayga Speed is priced at $531,500 before on-road costs, positioning it well above the entry-level 404kW/770Nm Bentayga V8 and the 340kW/700Nm V6 Hybrid (both priced from $395,800), as well as S and Azure variants with the same powertrains. The Mulliner Hybrid tops Bentley Australia's current Bentayga range at $646,800 plus on-roads. Content originally sourced from:
West Australian
13 hours ago
- West Australian
2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed revealed as British brand's fastest SUV yet
It seems the axing of Bentley's legendary twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 last year wasn't all bad news, since the V8 that replaces it in the upgraded 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed makes the British brand's flagship SUV even quicker, faster, lighter and more agile than before. Revealed overnight ahead of first Australian customer deliveries in the third quarter (July to September) of 2026, the refreshed Bentayga Speed is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 478kW of power and 850Nm of torque (over 2250-4500rpm). That's up 11kW but down 50Nm on the 12-cylinder model it replaces, yet because the V8 reduces kerb weight by 42kg to a still-hefty 2466kg, the latest Bentayga Speed is claimed to hit 60mph (97km/h) from standstill half a second sooner, in 3.4 seconds. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now . Given that 0-60mph time equates to a 0-100km/h time of about 3.5 seconds, it means the flagship version of Bentley's only SUV is now as quick as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV and the Kia EV6 GT electric 'SUV' (and now much quicker than a base Porsche 911 ). However, it's still slower than a host of other high-performance SUVs, including the Lamborghini Urus Performante , Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX707 (all of which claim a 3.3-second 0-100km/h time), and electric SUVs including the Lotus Eletre R (2.9s), Porsche Macan Electric Turbo (3.3s) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (3.4s) Bentley says the newest Bentayga Speed is also faster than ever, with its top speed of 310km/h – almost 5km/h more than before – matching the DBX707 and bettering the Purosangue, but falling just short of the Urus SE Hybrid. To show off its extra pace, the V8-powered Speed scores a sports exhaust system as standard, but an optional Akrapovic titanium unit with quad outlets should make up for its four fewer cylinders when it comes to the exhaust note. There are also revised drive modes including a Sport mode that increases damping stiffness by 15 per cent and increases the stability control system threshold to 'permit exhilarating drift angles'. Combined with less weight over its nose, rear-wheel steering increases both high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability, leading Bentley to claim the Speed is its most agile SUV ever. Cosmetically, the top-shelf Bentayga wears Speed badges on the outside and rides on unique 22-inch wheels, with the option of 23-inch rims wrapped around carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Completing the Speed package inside is a revised digital instrument cluster layout, Speed badging on the seats, scuff plates and the passenger side of the dashboard, and special quilted Precision Diamon trim highlights. Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the existing Bentayga Speed is priced at $531,500 before on-road costs, positioning it well above the entry-level 404kW/770Nm Bentayga V8 and the 340kW/700Nm V6 Hybrid (both priced from $395,800), as well as S and Azure variants with the same powertrains. The Mulliner Hybrid tops Bentley Australia's current Bentayga range at $646,800 plus on-roads.
Perth Now
13 hours ago
- Perth Now
2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed revealed as British brand's fastest SUV yet
It seems the axing of Bentley's legendary twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 last year wasn't all bad news, since the V8 that replaces it in the upgraded 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed makes the British brand's flagship SUV even quicker, faster, lighter and more agile than before. Revealed overnight ahead of first Australian customer deliveries in the third quarter (July to September) of 2026, the refreshed Bentayga Speed is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 478kW of power and 850Nm of torque (over 2250-4500rpm). That's up 11kW but down 50Nm on the 12-cylinder model it replaces, yet because the V8 reduces kerb weight by 42kg to a still-hefty 2466kg, the latest Bentayga Speed is claimed to hit 60mph (97km/h) from standstill half a second sooner, in 3.4 seconds. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Given that 0-60mph time equates to a 0-100km/h time of about 3.5 seconds, it means the flagship version of Bentley's only SUV is now as quick as the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV and the Kia EV6 GT electric 'SUV' (and now much quicker than a base Porsche 911). However, it's still slower than a host of other high-performance SUVs, including the Lamborghini Urus Performante, Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX707 (all of which claim a 3.3-second 0-100km/h time), and electric SUVs including the Lotus Eletre R (2.9s), Porsche Macan Electric Turbo (3.3s) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (3.4s) Bentley says the newest Bentayga Speed is also faster than ever, with its top speed of 310km/h – almost 5km/h more than before – matching the DBX707 and bettering the Purosangue, but falling just short of the Urus SE Hybrid. Supplied Credit: CarExpert To show off its extra pace, the V8-powered Speed scores a sports exhaust system as standard, but an optional Akrapovic titanium unit with quad outlets should make up for its four fewer cylinders when it comes to the exhaust note. There are also revised drive modes including a Sport mode that increases damping stiffness by 15 per cent and increases the stability control system threshold to 'permit exhilarating drift angles'. Combined with less weight over its nose, rear-wheel steering increases both high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability, leading Bentley to claim the Speed is its most agile SUV ever. Supplied Credit: CarExpert Cosmetically, the top-shelf Bentayga wears Speed badges on the outside and rides on unique 22-inch wheels, with the option of 23-inch rims wrapped around carbon-ceramic brake rotors. Completing the Speed package inside is a revised digital instrument cluster layout, Speed badging on the seats, scuff plates and the passenger side of the dashboard, and special quilted Precision Diamon trim highlights. Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the existing Bentayga Speed is priced at $531,500 before on-road costs, positioning it well above the entry-level 404kW/770Nm Bentayga V8 and the 340kW/700Nm V6 Hybrid (both priced from $395,800), as well as S and Azure variants with the same powertrains. The Mulliner Hybrid tops Bentley Australia's current Bentayga range at $646,800 plus on-roads.
