2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed Marks a Return to Form

Yahoo

6 hours ago

In the U.S., there's no replacement for displacement. In Bentley's home of Crewe, England, there's no substitute for Speed—capital S in reference to the Speed trim, the flagship of any given Bentley model range. The Speed formula has been to start with a vehicle of already abundant power, handling, and hedonism, and enlarge the bounds of all three.
Until recently, Speeds were endowed with the best of the brand's W-12 engine. Then Bentley retired that engine with full honors. Its heir is a V-8. In the 2025 Continental GT Speed and the 2025 Flying Spur Speed, it's part of a 771-hp plug-in hybrid powertrain known as the Ultra Performance Hybrid.
Over in the SUV wing, Bentley retired the Bentayga Speed at the end of 2023. Filling in was the Bentayga S, a trim that wedded a tweaked Sport mode and an active anti-roll-bar system to the standard Bentayga's powertrain. The result: a modicum of improved handling in a vehicle that seemed more about a higher price point than increased athleticism.
The Bentayga Speed returns for 2026, ushering the S into retirement. And unlike the brand's hybrid coupe and sedan offerings, the Bentayga Speed remains a pure internal-combustion experience.
Up front is the same twin-turbo 4.0-liter V-8 shared with other Bentleys. Engineers increased airflow compared with the rest of the Bentaygas, achieving 641 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque. That's 99 horses and 59 pound-feet over the retired Bentayga S and current lower Bentayga trims. It's 15 more horses and 37 less pound-feet compared with the previous Bentayga Speed, a familiar spec-sheet bracketing after an engine downsizing.
Benefits show up first in acceleration to 60 mph, which Bentley quotes at 3.4 seconds, 0.1 second quicker than the last Bentayga S we tested and 0.4 second quicker than Bentley's claim for the W-12 Speed. We reckon the new model can do the deed in closer to three seconds. Terminal velocity hits 187 mph, but that's with the standard brakes. Pay extra for massive carbon-ceramic units—17.3-inch rotors in the front, the largest ever on a Bentley, and 14.6-inch rotors in the back—and the top speed nudges up to a claimed 193 mph.
Four-wheel steering now comes standard, as does the Dynamic Ride active anti-roll-bar system. The Speed's Sport driving mode now stiffens the adaptive dampers by an additional 15 percent; the B (for Bentley) mode and the Comfort mode are unchanged.
The range of dynamic expression expands with two Bentayga firsts: an ESC Dynamic setting (a.k.a. drift mode) and launch control, both of which are paired with the optional carbon brakes. The laddish duo feels like novelty for novelty's sake.
Flipping to Sport mode automatically enables drifting even with the ESC still on; turn off the ESC, and you're allowed more slip angle.
For launch control, again you must flick the drive-mode dial to Sport, then press the ESC Off button, mash the brake, and floor the throttle. Software pins the revs just above 2000 rpm, where the Bentayga's full complement of torque becomes available. Let go of the brake, though, and launches don't deliver the expected hyperspace lunge. The ZF eight-speed automatic transmission executes its first shift just after 3000 rpm, well below the V-8's redline. The initial kick makes an impression, but the system isn't noticeably more exhilarating than just stomping on the throttle.
A new, optional 23-inch wheel debuts the largest rolling stock the Bentayga has ever known, an inch beyond standard. These wear 285/35R-23-sized tires, as opposed to the standard 22-inch, 285/40R-22 rubber.
Greater fury begs for greater sound. As on the Continental coupe and sedan, Akrapovič comes through with an optional new titanium exhaust wearing quad tips. Put the Bentayga in Sport, and a fresh boisterousness filters into the cabin, turning to anger when the throttle is worked hard in any drive mode.
The styling makeover is incremental, with identifying tidbits like Speed badging inside and out, dark-tinted exterior jewelry, and clear taillight lenses (which Bentley calls gray). For the first time the Bentayga has the option of a black roof. It's framed by black roof rails.
Drive this like the Bentley of SUVs, and it's grand. The cabin furnishings create a pleasure palace at any, well, speed. The steering is nicely weighted and pleasantly precise when tackling some flowing section of road. Beyond that, the efforts to sharpen the Bentayga's edge are akin to frayed stitching in Xanadu's appointments.
Bentley has done a fine job of damping the chatter from the 23-inch wheels, but a touch of kickback still thrums up through the seat bolster's hides. No matter the drive mode, the turbos needed a snap count of 1-2-3 to fully kick in—even in Sport, which holds a lower gear ostensibly to quicken turbo response. And the 15 percent stiffer Sport mode is probably 15 percent too stiff, with the suspension sacrificing the Bentayga's customary suppleness. Better to leave the drive mode in B, use the wheel-mounted paddle shifters for instant response, and enjoy this for the potent potentate's family carriage it is.
Because what a carriage inside. Handsome design meets stunning fit and finish. That fragrance of leather and wood? As we said of the Bentayga S and could say of every Bentley, "Smells like money." And victory. There's first-class detailing, like the organ stops for the vents being repeated for the cargo-cover restraint points. Carpet plush enough to encourage a "No shoes inside the Bentley" policy. The only thing we'd ask is for Bentley to put the front-seat controls on the door instead of in the crevice between the bolster and door. The cockpit's recliners and their pillowy headrests are dangerously comfortable, but reading braille at 70 mph to adjust a heap of comfort functions is not.
If you need a Bentayga Speed because you only buy at the top, your baroque horse has arrived. But you won't go wrong with a standard Bentayga either, and if a peer in his Speed wants to play "Last one to the club is a rotten earl," let him win. You're still in a Bentayga, and there's no replacement for refinement.
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