2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed First Look: Fewer Cylinders, But WAY More Power(!)

Motor Trend

2 days ago

The Bentley Bentayga Speed once reigned as the ultimate blend of performance and plushness in the SUV world, thanks to its mighty W-12 engine. With a thunderous 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque, this luxurious beast launched from 0 to 60 mph in just 3.1 seconds, and blitzed through the quarter mile in 11.5 seconds at 120.7 mph in our testing. But with Crewe pulling the plug on the W-12, the mightiest Bentayga's heart lost four cylinders—and with them, a bit of the SUV's bite.
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But the Speed name is back—and it's coming in hot. Enter the 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed, now packing a revamped 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that cranks out 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That's a serious bump—99 more horses and 96 extra lb-ft over the V-8 S, and, you'll note, beyond the old W-12's output—making this the most powerful Bentayga ever to wear the winged badge.
Power isn't the only thing getting a boost. Bentley gave the 2026 Bentayga Speed a round of upgrades, including fresh wheel designs and new interior touches.
Drift Your Bentayga... ?
With its return, the 2026 Bentayga Speed officially takes the crown as the flagship of the Bentayga lineup. Below it, the rest of the Bentayga range soldiers on with the 542-hp, 568-lb-ft twin-turbo V-8, or the 3.0-liter V-6 plug-in hybrid, which delivers a respectable 456 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque.
Bentley claims the 2026 Bentayga Speed will hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds—but we're calling that conservative. After all, they quoted 3.9 seconds for the old W-12, and we clocked it at 3.1 seconds. Based on the numbers, we expect the new Speed to rip from 0 to 60 in the 2.8 to 3.0-second range—a bonkers stat for a luxury SUV tipping the scales at over 5,000 pounds.
To help rein in all that fury, the Speed can be equipped with massive carbon-ceramic brakes tucked behind newly designed—and a first for Bentley—23-inch wheels.
The Bentayga Speed doesn't just move like a rocket—it sounds the part, too. A standard sport exhaust system gives the V-8 a richer, more aggressive growl, piped through a set of dual tailpipes flanking the rear diffuser. For those craving an even deeper, more visceral soundtrack, Bentley offers an optional titanium Akrapovic exhaust, complete with distinctive quad tailpipes.
To make the most of that snarling exhaust, the new Sport mode cranks things up a notch—stiffening the suspension by 15 percent compared to Comfort and Bentley modes. Bentley says it also sharpens steering response and deepens the driver's connection, making the big SUV feel more dialed-in and dynamic than ever.
Drifting probably isn't the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a Bentayga—but the Speed might change that. According to Bentley, toggle the ESC to Dynamic and engage Sport mode, and the big brute will let loose with 'exhilarating drift angles' and power-on oversteer. Torque vectoring sharpens turn-in and puts down more grunt on corner exits, dialing up the agility. We'll have to see this in action—for science, of course—when we get behind the wheel soon.
Rounding out the mechanical upgrades, the Bentayga Speed now features four-wheel steering—a welcome addition that tightens up low-speed maneuvering and shrinks the turning circle, making this big SUV feel far nimbler in tight spaces.
Spot the Differences
Cosmetically, the 2026 Bentayga Speed keeps things subtle but classy. Sharp-eyed fans will notice the dark tint inside the headlights and smoked gray taillights, while the Speed chrome badges along the sides proudly announce you're in the lineup's top dog. What stands out is the contrasting pinstripes wrapping the lower body, which can be matched to the color of the carbon-ceramic brakes for a touch of extra flair.
Inside, the updates are subtle. Speed emblems grace the backrests, and you can customize the interior trim to match the exterior pinstripes for a splash of coordinated style. Quilted leather wraps the cabin in luxury, with generous coverage on the seats and door panels.
We'll have a chance to test the new 2026 Bentley Bentayga soon. Stay tuned for our review.