Revealed: Bentley’s new W12 Bentayga Speed

The new Bentley Bentayga Speed has a top speed of 306km/h. Photo: Bentley

Bentley Motors has announced details of the new Bentayga Speed with its W12 powertrain making it the faster luxury SUV thanks to a top speed for 306km/h.

The Bentayga Speed’s engine has a 467kW / 901Nm output and  narrowly pips the Lamborghini Urus at 305km/h to take the mantle of the world's fastest SUV.

Hand-built at Crewe, the Bentayga Speed has many of the models luxurious features as standard, including the Mulliner Driving Specification.

The new Bentayga Speed maintains the performance credentials proved by its predecessor, which claimed the production SUV record at the grueling Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2018, and was driven by Rhys Millen. 

The new Bentayga Speed builds on the completely refreshed design of the new Bentayga, adopting the same Bentley design DNA now prevalent across the entire model range. Introducing the very latest onboard technology and an even more cosseting cabin, the new model is significantly revised both inside and out.

Bentley’s Chairman and Chief Executive, Adrian Hallmark, commented: “The new Bentayga has already raised the benchmark for luxury SUVs, against which all others are measured. Ahead of the launch of the new Bentayga Hybrid – the world’s only definitive luxury hybrid - in the coming months, it’s important that we still recognize the customer desire for absolute performance. The new Bentayga Speed remains the fastest SUV in the world, but more that, it’s also the most luxurious version of the new Bentayga – the best of both worlds, the pinnacle.”

Efficiency is also an important aspect of such a powerful engine; to achieve effective cylinder deactivation with the complex layout of the W12, the engine control unit deactivates one complete bank of six cylinders as required. 

Switching between A and B Bank using information from the inlet and exhaust sensors, minimizes cylinder and catalytic convertor cool down and avoids spikes in exhaust emissions. This not only benefits CO2 emissions but also realizes significant economy gains under part-throttle cruising conditions.

In 5th to 8th gears, when the driver releases the throttle (at freeway cruising speed, for example) the car will open the torque converter, dropping the engine to idle and simply allowing the car to roll or ‘sail’. When the throttle is reapplied, or the car starts going downhill and detects an increase in speed, the transmission is re-engaged.

To use this power appropriately the Bentayga Speed is equipped with four on-road Drive Dynamics modes: Comfort at one extreme, Sport at the other, and with Bentley mode – the balanced recommendation of Bentley’s chassis team in Crewe – alongside a Custom mode for customers who opt to create his or her own driving setup.

Uniquely in the Speed, the Sport mode was recalibrated to enhance response from the W12 engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission, together with the air suspension system and Bentley Dynamic Ride. The effect is a more dynamic and engaging drive.

Bentley Dynamic Ride is the world’s first electric active roll control technology that utilizes an unrivalled 48V system. This system instantly counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering and ensures maximum tire contact to deliver class-leading cabin stability, ride comfort and exceptional handling. Recalibration of Bentley’s Torque Vectoring by Brake system – whereby the car lightly brakes the inside rear wheel at corner entry to sharpen the front axle turn-in – has made Bentayga Speed even more responsive to drive.

There’s good news for Kiwi fans too, as the W12 will only be sold outside of Europe and the UK due to EU regulations.