(Crewe, 12th August, 2020) Bentley Motors is announcing today full details of the new Bentayga Speed – the pinnacle of the Bentayga family – effortless performance, yet no compromise on luxury. Hand-built at Crewe, the Bentayga Speed combines the W12 powertrain and many of the models luxurious features as standard, including the Mulliner Driving Specification.
Building on a long tradition of Speed models that was born with the Continental GT in 2007, 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.
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.”
Power, Performance and Agility
The new Bentayga Speed takes the Bentayga’s extraordinary abilities to new levels, utilizing the 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers peak power of 635 PS (626 bhp). Effortless acceleration is always guaranteed thanks to 900 Nm (664 lb.ft) of torque, available as a plateau from 1,500 rpm to 5,000 rpm. The assembly of the W12 powertrain takes the skilled engine builders approximately ten percent of the total hours required for the manufacture of the Bentayga Speed.
With exceptional performance, comfort and handling, maximum speed is also increased to 190 mph (306 km/h), while the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) sprint is delivered in 3.9 seconds.
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.
The Bentayga Speed’s optional carbon ceramic brakes are the largest and most powerful brakes available from Bentley, with a maximum braking torque of 6,000 Nm (4,425 lb.ft) and engineered to withstand temperatures up to 1,000 °C (1,832 °F). They also provide a weight saving of more than 20 kg (44 lb) over iron brakes.
Styling to Reflect Performance Credentials
To match the elevated levels of performance, the Bentayga Speed sports a purposeful exterior look. Dark-tint headlights, body-colored side skirts, unique front and rear bumpers and a striking, elongated tailgate spoiler characterize the Speed’s performance credentials. Dark-tint radiator and bumper grilles, a unique 22-inch wheel design available in two finishes (painted and dark tint) and Speed signature badging add to the sporting design cues. At the rear, the exhaust finishers are now the oval design that signifies a W12 powertrain. Dark-tint taillights complete the Speed exterior signature.
Seventeen standard paint colors are supplemented by a further 47 hues in the Extended and Mulliner ranges, with an additional 24 duo-tone options. Customers wanting to go beyond these 88 total options can have paintwork color matched to any sample they provide. This exceptional range is complemented by a palette of 15 hide colors, six color splits and eight veneers and two technical finishes.
Inside, the Bentayga Speed introduces a dramatic design theme that balances luxury and performance in an unrivalled way. The unique Speed color split is achieved through the use of dark colors enhanced by primary hide accents running throughout the seats and interior trim. Elegantly crafted ‘swooshes’ of contrast leather swipe around the doors, along the edges of the seat cushions and backrest bolsters, and on the lower console.
The Speed color split also introduces Alcantara® to the cabin of the Bentayga, across the seat cushions and backrest center panels, gear lever, steering wheel, lower knee trim areas, upper pillar trim and headliner. Customers can choose the Leather Specification to have these areas trimmed in hide instead.
‘Speed’ seat embroidery on the backrest of all of the seats is included as standard, and as a no-cost option customers can choose to replace the ‘Speed’ embroidery with that of the Bentley logo.
A new contrast stitching design through the diamond quilting of the Mulliner Driving Specification (included as standard) is unique to Speed, with each of the stitch lines running through the quilting being split – one to match the leather, the other in the contrast color. Discreet metal Speed badging to the front fascia and Speed illuminated treadplates complete the signature look.
Cutting-Edge Infotainment
Setting new standards in the sector for customer technology interfaces, the new Bentayga introduces a new, cutting-edge infotainment system. A bigger and brighter, high-resolution 10.9-inch touchscreen, with an anti-reflection and anti-glare coating and much improved touch functionality, now spans the entire width of the center fascia for a more contemporary look.
Content can be selected either via hard keys beneath the screen, or from the main menu screen. A customizable dashboard can also be set up to show three favorites, such as phone, navigation or media.
The advanced navigation system features free-text, context-specific search entry, including an address or point of interest. Navigation improves with a three-dimensional building display, satellite maps, content in the driver’s next generation Head-Up Display and several other useful features. The Head-Up Display can now project traffic information, street names and distance to destination too.
As well as the usual array of media sources, wireless Apple CarPlay is now standard (in addition to the previous standard wired system), along with Android Auto. With a corresponding phone plugged into one of the car’s USB‑C sockets, the central infotainment screen mirrors the smartphone display.
The new Bentayga Speed now has a fully-digital driver’s information panel similar to the Continental GT and new Flying Spur. The display brings a contemporary look to the cockpit, that can be customized to the driver’s requirements and features real-time lighting effects with elegant animations.
The high-resolution screen can be viewed in either Classic or Expanded format. In Classic, the display shows the traditional two-dial design of speedometer and tachometer. In Expanded, the right dial is replaced with an area for maps and media information.
The latest release of the My Bentley in-car and remote connected car services are available through the New Bentayga. In-car services now delivered through an embedded SIM, as with the latest Continental GT, means online services no longer require a data connection from a customer’s mobile device.
Essential features including real-time traffic information and over-the-air map updates will be available to all customers in Bentley connected car markets. New connected features such as green traffic light prediction and local hazard information will become available depending on market region.
Remote services – subject to regional availability – are accessible through the My Bentley app and are further improved, including the technology levels and range of features our customers have now come to expect – from ‘find my car’ and ‘lock my car’, through to car status and statistics – including integration with other functions such as the park heater when fitted.
Black Specification
Customers wishing to amplify the sporting look of their Bentayga Speed even further can select the Black Specification. This striking pack replaces all exterior chrome work, bright detailing and some elements of the body with gloss black or carbon fiber versions, for an impactful visual statement. The front bumper splitter and the side sills are created by hand in carbon fiber, while the rear bumper diffuser becomes gloss black. All exterior brightware (including the roof rails) is resplendent in gloss black, as are the 22” Bentayga Speed wheels and exhaust finishers. Finally, the standard roof spoiler is replaced with a curved carbon fiber version.
Bentayga Speed – The Pinnacle of the Bentayga range
The multi-award-winning Bentayga set the luxury SUV benchmark when it was launched in 2015, offering customers the ultimate Grand Touring experience unrestricted by landscape or conditions.
The Bentayga Speed is the most powerful and performance orientated Bentayga to date, defining its position as the pinnacle of the range. Bentayga Speed will be offered for sale in those regions where demand for 12-cylinder SUVs remains strong – the Americas, Middle East and Asia Pacific regions. The new Bentayga family will soon be completed by the global launch of the new Bentayga Hybrid – giving customers of the world’s best luxury SUV even more choice.
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Notes to editors
Bentley Motors is the most sought after luxury car brand in the world. The company’s headquarters in Crewe is home to all of its operations including design, R&D, engineering and production of the company’s three model lines, Continental, Flying Spur and Bentayga. The combination of fine craftsmanship, using skills that have been handed down through generations, alongside engineering expertise and cutting-edge technology is unique to UK luxury car brands such as Bentley. It is also an example of high-value British manufacturing at its best. Bentley employs around 4,000 people at Crewe.
