
Bentley Bentayga Speed sets new SUV hill climb record at Goodwood
Bentley's latest Bentayga Speed has officially set a new record for the fastest internal combustion engine (ICE) production SUV on the Goodwood Festival of Speed hill climb. Despite patchy wet conditions, the 641 bhp luxury SUV completed the hill run in 55.8 seconds last Sunday, ahead of the festival's public opening.
The time marks an improvement of almost one second over the previous W12-powered Bentayga Speed's run in dry conditions. It also beats all other ICE production SUVs recorded at the event. Only Bentley's specially modified Pikes Peak Bentayga has gone faster up the same hill.
Bentley's vehicle dynamics specialist Andy Marson, driving the Bentayga Speed, reached a peak speed of 209 kmph before braking for Molecomb corner. According to Bentley, the run showcased the car's revised chassis, ESC Dynamic settings, and all-wheel steering systems aimed at improving cornering response and stability. Bentley Bentayga Speed: Engine and handling
The new Bentayga Speed uses a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, producing 641 bhp and 850 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0–60 mph in a claimed 3.4 seconds and reaches a top speed of 310 kmph.
Compared to previous Bentayga models, the latest version introduces several handling updates. These include a recalibrated SPORT driving mode, ESC Dynamic software, and all-wheel steering. Bentley says these changes allow for more responsive steering, improved cornering grip, and greater driver control.
Also Read : Bentley EXP 15 concept hints at brand's unconventional take on luxury EVs. Check details Bentley Bentayga Speed: Chassis and braking
The Bentayga Speed offers optional carbon ceramic brakes. In combination with ESC Dynamic mode, these brakes are designed to allow more flexibility for drivers, including the ability to engage controlled drift angles or sharper turn-ins using torque vectoring.
All-wheel steering has been introduced as well. At lower speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction to the front wheels, reducing the turning circle. At higher speeds, the rear wheels turn in the same direction for increased stability. Bentley Bentayga Speed: Design and customisation
Visually, the Bentayga Speed retains its familiar SUV proportions but adds darker exterior elements. Features include dark-tinted headlamp and tail lamp bezels, 22-inch Speed wheels as standard, and an optional 23-inch wheel, a first for Bentley SUVs, available with the carbon ceramic brake package.
Painted brake callipers in a range of colours are also available, reflecting the growing emphasis on personalisation in the luxury SUV segment.
Also Read : Skoda Auto Volkswagen India expands portfolio with Bentley luxury cars Bentley Bentayga Speed: Rivals
While high-performance SUVs continue to gain popularity, the Bentayga Speed's latest record puts it at the top among production ICE-powered models tackling the Goodwood hill. The car's mix of power, updated handling systems, and braking options places it firmly in competition with rivals from brands such as Lamborghini and Aston Martin.
Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India.
First Published Date: 12 Jul 2025, 13:30 pm IST
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
India–UK FTA: These 10 cars & bikes will cost less soon
The India and the UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA) has been finalised, and we now have clearer details about the tariff structure for cars being imported into the country. Under the new regulations, the import duties will be slashed from the current 110 per cent to 50 per cent in the first year of the India-UK FTA. The reduction will continue in a phased manner, reaching just 10 per cent by the fifth year. The move greatly benefits premium car and two-wheeler makers, producing vehicles in the UK, which will be imported to India. Here's a look at the cars and bikes that are set to get more accessible under the India-UK FTA. Here's a look at the cars and bikes that are set to get more accessible under the India-UK FTA. The Rolls-Royce Phantom, Cullinan, and Ghost are set to get more accessible under the India-UK FTA 1. Rolls-Royce One of the most iconic car brands from the UK, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, will see a drop in prices of its luxury vehicle range, comprising the Phantom, Ghost, and Cullinan. The automaker's lineup is priced from ₹6 crore onwards, before the options kick in. The all-electric Rolls-Royce Spectre will see a reduction in the import tariff after the fifth year of the FTA. Also check these Cars Find more Cars Land Rover Range Rover 4395 cc 4395 cc Multiple Multiple ₹ 2.40 Cr Compare View Offers Mercedes-Benz Maybach GLS 3982 cc 3982 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 3.39 Cr Compare View Offers Mercedes-Benz AMG GT 63 3982 cc 3982 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 3 Cr Compare View Offers Lamborghini Urus 3999 cc 3999 cc Multiple Multiple ₹ 4.18 Cr Compare View Offers Lamborghini Urus Performante 3996 cc 3996 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 4.22 Cr Compare View Offers Maserati MC20 3000.0 cc 3000.0 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 3.69 Cr Compare View Offers Also Read : India-UK Free Trade deal: Cars from Britain to get cheaper The Bentley Bentayga, Continental GT, and Flying Spur will receive a reduction in prices soon 2. Bentley Bentley will be another major British automaker to benefit from the India-UK FTA. Bentley's range, comprising the Bentayga, Continental GT, and Flying Spur, will receive a reduction in prices soon. Much like Rolls-Royce, Bentley's model range is priced well over ₹5 crore, depending on the model, which should see a significant reduction thanks to the lower import duties. The Jaguar Type 00 concept-based luxury offering will get a more competitive pricing when it arrives, albeit after a five-year wait 3. Jaguar The Tata-owned Jaguar brand is in the middle of a transition, but the brand will be one of the many British automakers to benefit from the FTA. The move should make the brand's upcoming Type 00 Concept-based luxury offering to get more accessible in India. However, the Jaguar Type 00 Concept previews a hyper-luxurious all-electric offering, so expect the benefits to roll out only after a five-year delay. Meanwhile, Jaguar only retails the F-Pace in India at present, but the model is already locally assembled in the country. The Range Rover Sport SV and Range Rover SV arrive in India as full imports, while the other variants are locally assembled in India 4. Land Rover JLR's Range Rover will be another brand that will see a major difference in prices for its fully imported models. The Range Rover SV and Range Rover Sport SV are completely imported in India, and the uber-luxurious variants will get more accessible under the new India-UK FTA regulations. The move should also benefit future models from the carmaker that will be imported into the country. That said, select variants of the Range Rover Sport and Range Rover LWB are locally assembled in India, and could see a marginal drop in prices in the future. On the other hand, the Defender SUV is imported from JLR's facility in Slovakia, which does not make it eligible for tariff benefits. The Aston Martin range, comprising Vanquish (pictured), Vantage, DB12, and DBX, will get more accessible 5. Aston Martin Aston Martin retails a host of its cars in India, including the Vantage, DB12, Vanquish, and the DBX SUV. The models are made at the automaker's Gaydon headquarters and will arrive as full imports in the country. The Aston Martin range starts from nearly ₹4 crore, going up to about ₹9 crore (ex-showroom), depending on the model, which will get a lower import tax under the FTA. The Lotus Emira is priced at ₹ 3.22 crore (ex-showroom), which is likely to see a reduction with the Free Trade Agreement 6. Lotus British sports car brand Lotus retails the Emira sports car in India, which will get the tariff benefits up front. The two-door sports car is powered by a powerful 2.0-litre petrol engine with 360 bhp on tap, which should help the model qualify in the midsize vehicle category. Meanwhile, the Lotus Eletre and Emeya electric SUVs should see the benefits kicking in much later once the five-year wait is over. BMW Group India is offering price protection on the Mini Cooper S for customers who buy the car after the FTA is announced 7. MINI The MINI Cooper S is expected to see a price reduction with the new FTA rolling in. The MINI Cooper S and Cooper S Convertible are made at the automaker's facility in the UK and arrive in India as Completely Built Units (CBU). Interestingly, parent company BMW Group India recently rolled out price protection for MINI Cooper buyers, wherein the automaker will pass on the benefits to buyers who've bought the 3-door offering since the FTA was announced. The McLaren 750S has a power-to-weight ratio of 578 bhp-per-tonne and will soon get a price reduction 8. McLaren McLaren retails the 750S and GT supercars in India, which will get a price reduction under the new regulations. The McLaren 750S is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 motor with 740 bhp and 800 Nm on offer. The British supercar is capable of accelerating from 0-100 kmph in 2.8 seconds with a top speed of 331 kmph. McLaren supercars are few in India, with the brand only arriving recently in official capacity. Nevertheless, the reduction in prices could see more exotic car buyers pivoting towards the iconic carmaker. TVS-owned Norton Motorcyles will arrive in India later this year with its all-new V4-powered bike set to be one of its first launches 9. Norton Motorcycles Moving to the bikes, Norton Motorcycles is expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries of the India-UK FTA. The TVS-owned British motorcycle maker is planning to set up shop in India towards the end of the year, and will roll out its all-new V4-powered motorcycle soon, which should arrive at competitive rates. The move will also make Norton's existing range more attractive, while the upcoming bikes in the 450 cc space will be easier to export as well to the UK. Triumph's special editions like the Rocket 3 GT Evel Knievel, which is made in the UK, will get more accessible in India under the FTA 10. Triumph Rocket 3 Evel Knievel British bike maker Triumph does not build most of its bikes in the UK, but special editions like the Rocket 3 Evil Knievel will benefit from a reduction in price thanks to the FTA. This should also benefit future special editions from the brand, while its made-in-India models like the Speed 400 and Scrambler 400 X, should get more accessible for its UK customers. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date:


Hindustan Times
7 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Volkswagen Tayron spotted in India, will rival Toyota Fortuner
Volkswagen is gearing up to expand its SUV lineup in India with the upcoming Tayron , a premium three-row SUV that will eventually replace the Tiguan Allspace in the company's portfolio. The Tayron was recently caught testing on Indian roads, hinting at an impending launch. The test mule was not camouflaged but only the rear of the SUV was visible. Originally sold in the Chinese market since 2019, the Tayron is now undergoing a major overhaul for global markets. The version spied in India is likely the facelifted model that was recently showcased in concept form overseas. Once launched, it will take over from the Tiguan Allspace, which was phased out due to low demand and the brand's shift in strategy towards newer models with broader appeal. Also check these Cars Find more Cars UPCOMING Volkswagen Tayron 1984 cc 1984 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 48 - 50 Lakhs Alert Me When Launched Volkswagen Tiguan R-Line 1984 cc 1984 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 49 Lakhs Compare View Offers BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 1499 cc 1499 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 46.90 Lakhs Compare View Offers Skoda Kodiaq 1984 cc 1984 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 46.89 Lakhs Compare View Offers Audi Q3 1984 cc 1984 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 44.99 Lakhs Compare View Offers Nissan X-Trail 1498 cc 1498 cc Petrol Petrol ₹ 49.92 Lakhs Compare View Offers From the images, the Tayron appears to carry a robust design, with a wider stance and more pronounced SUV proportions compared to the outgoing Allspace. The front-end styling is expected to feature a larger grille flanked by sleek LED headlamps, while the rear is likely to get updated LED tail-lights and a more sculpted tailgate. The SUV will be underpinned by the familiar MQB platform, which also supports models like the Skoda Kodiaq and Volkswagen Tiguan. Volkswagen Tayron will share its engine with the Tiguan R-Line. (Twitter/@vthewoke) Inside, the Tayron is expected to offer a more premium experience with improved material quality, a larger touchscreen infotainment system, digital instrument cluster, and advanced driver-assistance features. It will most likely be offered as a 7-seater, catering to families seeking both space and sophistication. Also Read : Skoda Auto Volkswagen India expands portfolio with Bentley luxury cars Under the hood, Volkswagen is expected to equip the Tayron with a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine, paired with a 7-speed DSG automatic transmission. An all-wheel-drive system may be offered on higher variants to enhance its versatility. Once launched, the Tayron will rival other 3-row premium SUVs in India like the Toyota Fortuner, MG Gloster, and Skoda Kodiaq. With its global debut slated for later this year, Indian customers can expect a launch sometime in 2025. Volkswagen's monsoon service camp Volkswagen India has revealed the commencement of its yearly Monsoon Service Camp, designed to assist vehicle owners in getting ready for the difficulties posed by the rainy season. This initiative is accessible at all authorized service centers throughout India. The Monsoon Service Camp is currently operational at Volkswagen's service locations across the country and will be available for a limited duration. Customers are encouraged to contact their respective service centers for further details regarding the advantages of the Monsoon Service Camp. In addition to service promotions, Volkswagen is providing essential monsoon car care advice through its service network to ensure that drivers are well-informed about seasonal vehicle upkeep. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2025, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date:


Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
How America's employers are getting trapped in the immigration dragnet
America's employers are getting trapped in immigration dragnet In the land that prides itself on opportunity, employers are learning that one form, barely four pages long, is enough to sink a business. Welcome to the bureaucratic battlefield of I-9 compliance, where a single missed checkbox can trigger a federal firestorm. Under the Trump administration's renewed crackdown, what once seemed a mundane HR form has become a high-stakes test of survival. The I-9, designed to verify employment eligibility, now reads more like a trap than a tool. And America's businesses, large and small, are caught in its tightening noose. The I-9: A simple form with damaging consequences Every employer in the United States is required by law to complete an I-9 form for each new hire. On paper, it's simple: verify identity, confirm legal work status. In reality, it's become a legal minefield. An eight-page manual now shadows the form, detailing what documents are acceptable, how to fill out each field, and what pitfalls to avoid. Yet even the most diligent HR teams find themselves ensnared in technicalities. A typo. A missing signature. A box left unchecked. Each is a potential $2,861 fine. Mistakes compound. Infractions multiply. The numbers climb. In April, three Denver-based businesses were slapped with over $8 million in penalties. By May, a San Diego executive stood before a judge. Her crime? Employing undocumented workers—knowingly or not. The ICE Storm: Audits as ambushes Gone are the days of targeted raids in factories and farms. Now, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency plays a quieter but more lethal game. ICE arrives not with sirens, but with silence, a letter, an unannounced visit. Employers are given 72 hours to produce every I-9 on file. Miss the deadline or fumble the paperwork, and the fines start rolling in. Worse still, ICE is shifting tactics. In Washington, DC, federal agents are physically delivering audit notices. No email. No warning. Just a knock at the door and a ticking clock. How a form became a tool of fear The Trump administration frames the policy as necessary oversight. A spokesperson even claimed recent actions had 'rescued migrant children' and captured criminals. But to employers, the message is chilling: Compliance is no longer about legality, it's about self-preservation. This climate of fear is reshaping the hiring landscape. Job offers are delayed. Applicants face longer vetting periods. Companies are turning away qualified candidates out of sheer anxiety over I-9 missteps. The pressure is crushing. Collateral damage: Business innovation suffers While ICE touts enforcement wins, innovation takes a backseat. Start-ups, particularly in tech and hospitality, say they are now spending thousands on compliance consultants, paralegals, and legal audits. Moreover, the rules shift constantly. As immigration programs are rolled back, formerly acceptable documents suddenly expire. Temporary work permits get revoked. Refugees and DACA recipients face new scrutiny. Employers, caught in the middle, are expected to decode policies more complex than tax law. America's quietest immigration crisis The public debate around immigration often centers on borders, walls, and caravans. But the real war is being fought in offices and HR departments, in the quiet chaos of compliance. The Trump-era I-9 audits aren't just administrative oversight. They're a mechanism of fear, a policy masquerading as paperwork. And in the process, they're forcing American businesses to become reluctant enforcers of a broken system. In a nation built by immigrants and sustained by innovation, this form, this four-page bureaucratic cudgel, is quietly redrawing the boundaries of the American workforce. Employers aren't just hiring workers anymore. They're hiring risk. And in the land of the free, that may be the most dangerous job of all. Ready to navigate global policies? Secure your overseas future. Get expert guidance now!