It seems the axing of Bentley’s legendary twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 last 12 months wasn’t all bad news, for the reason that V8 that replaces it within the upgraded 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed makes the British brand’s flagship SUV even quicker, faster, lighter and more agile than before.
Revealed overnight ahead of first Australian customer deliveries within the third quarter (July to September) of 2026, the refreshed Bentayga Speed is powered by a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 that produces 478kW of power and 850Nm of torque (over 2250-4500rpm).
That’s up 11kW but down 50Nm on the 12-cylinder model it replaces, yet since the V8 reduces kerb weight by 42kg to a still-hefty 2466kg, the newest Bentayga Speed is claimed to hit 60mph (97km/h) from standstill half a second sooner, in 3.4 seconds.
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Provided that 0-60mph time equates to a 0-100km/h time of about 3.5 seconds, it means the flagship version of Bentley’s only SUV is now as quick because the Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S E-Performance plug-in hybrid (PHEV) SUV and the Kia EV6 GT electric ‘SUV’ (and now much quicker than a base Porsche 911).
Nonetheless, it’s still slower than a number of other high-performance SUVs, including the Lamborghini Urus Performante, Ferrari Purosangue and Aston Martin DBX707 (all of which claim a 3.3-second 0-100km/h time), and electric SUVs including the Lotus Eletre R (2.9s), Porsche Macan Electric Turbo (3.3s) and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N (3.4s)
Bentley says the most recent Bentayga Speed can also be faster than ever, with its top speed of 310km/h – almost 5km/h greater than before – matching the DBX707 and bettering the Purosangue, but falling just in need of the Urus SE Hybrid.
To point out off its extra pace, the V8-powered Speed scores a sports exhaust system as standard, but an optional Akrapovic titanium unit with quad outlets should make up for its 4 fewer cylinders relating to the exhaust note.
There are also revised drive modes including a Sport mode that increases damping stiffness by 15 per cent and increases the soundness control system threshold to “permit exhilarating drift angles”.
Combined with less weight over its nose, rear-wheel steering increases each high-speed stability and low-speed manoeuvrability, leading Bentley to say the Speed is its most agile SUV ever.
Cosmetically, the top-shelf Bentayga wears Speed badges on the surface and rides on unique 22-inch wheels, with the choice of 23-inch rims wrapped around carbon-ceramic brake rotors.
Completing the Speed package inside is a revised digital instrument cluster layout, Speed badging on the seats, scuff plates and the passenger side of the dashboard, and special quilted Precision Diamon trim highlights.
Australian pricing is yet to be confirmed, but the present Bentayga Speed is priced at $531,500 before on-road costs, positioning it well above the entry-level 404kW/770Nm Bentayga V8 and the 340kW/700Nm V6 Hybrid (each priced from $395,800), in addition to S and Azure variants with the identical powertrains.
The Mulliner Hybrid tops Bentley Australia’s current Bentayga range at $646,800 plus on-roads.
This Article First Appeared At www.carexpert.com.au
