Hot on the heels of the Bentley Bentayga
range being facelifted for the 2021 model year, the British marque has unveiled
the new Bentayga Speed, a more performance-focused variant of the luxurious
SUV. Powering the Bentayga Speed is a 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbocharged engine
producing 626 hp and 900 Nm of torque available between 1,500 rpm
and 5,000 rpm. This engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission
and sees the SUV hit 100 km/h in a mere 3.9 seconds while topping out
at 306 km/h.
Bentley hasn’t just focused its energy on
making this engine exceptionally powerful but has also spent considerable time
making sure it is efficient. As such, the ECU is able to deactivate one
complete bank of six cylinders as required and can switch between A and B bank
based on information received from the inlet and exhaust sensors, reducing
cylinder and catalytic converter cool down to avoid spikes in exhaust
emissions. Additionally, if the SUV is in 5th to 8th gears and the driver
releases the throttle, the Bentayga Speed will open the torque converter,
dropping the engine to idle.
Elsewhere, the Bentayga Speed includes the
Bentley Dynamic Ride system that has electric active roll technology uses a 48V
system. The SUV’s Torque Vectoring by Brake system has also been recalibrated
for the Speed. Buyers can also option carbon ceramic brakes. On a visual front,
the Bentayga Speed has a sportier look than the regular model and includes
dark-tint headlights, body-colored side skirts, bespoke front and rear bumpers,
and an enlarged rear spoiler. It also sits on 22-inch wheels available in two
finishes and has oval-shaped tailpipes.
Like other Bentley models, customers are
offered a wide array of paint options, with no less than 17 standard paint
colors and a further 47 hues available in the Extended and Mulliner ranges for
the Bentayga, plus an additional 24 duo-tone options. As if that wasn’t enough,
Bentley will create a custom color to match any sample a customer provides.
Alterations made to the Bentayga Speed
continue in the cabin through a unique color split that has “dark colors
enhanced by primary hide accents running throughout the seats and interior
trim,” the company says. Customers can also have various parts finished in
Alcantara, such as the seat cushions and back rest center panels, gear lever,
steering wheel, lower knee trim areas, upper pillar trim, and headliner. These
parts can be finished in leather if the customer so desires.
The same 10.9-inch touchscreen
infotainment system found across the rest of the 2021 Bentayga range is also
featured. New is a fully digital instrument cluster that can be customized and
offers a host of different displays. Bentley is also offering the Bentayga
Speed in ‘Black Specification.’ This package replaces all exterior chrome parts
and other bright detailing with gloss black or carbon fiber parts. It also
comes with gloss black roof rails, 22-inch wheels, and black tailpipes. The
standard roof spoiler is also replaced with one made from carbon fiber.
Pricing details have yet to be announced
but Bentley says the SUV will be sold in the USA, Middle East, and Asia Pacific
regions.