2021 Bentley Bentayga Speed: Performance Focused Refinement

The 2021 Bentley Bentayga Speed is an exquisite machine and few other luxury SUVs can provide its level of performance, luxury, and refinement.

 At a first glance, the Bentayga Speed stands apart from its predecessor with new design cues in line with the refreshed Bentayga lineup. The new front section is rounder with a deeply muscular look coupled with jewelled headlights.

The rear takes inspiration from the brand’s Continental GT, oval instead of the previous square-shaped lights. Overall the 2021 Bentayga Speed is handsome and has a commanding presence on the road. 

The Bentayga Speed takes its inspiration from the Bentley Continental GT Speed, offering more of everything to become the fastest and most powerful of the Bentayga lineup. Upfront the Speed has a 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine that produces 626 hp and 664-pound feet of torque, with all that torque available from as low as 1500rpm. Unlike the V8  in the normal Bentayga, the W12 engine provides effortless acceleration without all the drama and associated bellowing roar.

 With a 0 to 60 mph of just 3.8 seconds, the Speed is no slouch. Top speed is a claimed 190 mph, 0.5 mph faster than a Lamborghini Urus. Despite all these awe-inspiring numbers Bentley claims the Bentayga Speed is more eco-friendly than it looks, with the vehicle able to deactivate one bank of six cylinders when the driver doesn’t need the full potential of the W12.

On the Road, the Speed can only be described as graceful. At 5,529 pounds, the Bentayga Speed Is a hefty fella carrying a lot of weight. The steering feel is light for such a massive vehicle and rolls less in corners than you’d expect. It rides on an air suspension coupled with Bentley’s Dynamic Ride system.

Bentley’s Dynamic Ride system is a 48-volt electric active roll control system. When cornering, the system works hard to counteract the lateral rolling forces to ensure grip, stability, ride comfort, and agile handling through corners. Coupled with this system is Bentley’s Torque vectoring system which brakes individual wheels to improve response through corners.

Bentley has provided the Speed with 15.7-inch front and 15.0 inch rear steel brakes to bring the massive SUV to a halt in as little distance as possible. There are also optional Carbon ceramic brakes; the largest and most powerful from Bentley to offer even more stopping power as needed.

Inside, the Speed is a Bentley. The interior offers exquisite workmanship and material quality from fabric, leather and new for 2021 Alcantara upholstery. The information cluster and interfaces are also new and cutting edge. For the infotainment system, Bentley offers a bigger, brighter and better 10.9-inch touchscreen. For lovers of hard buttons fear not, the infotainment can also be controlled through hard keys beneath the screen. Media sources now include wireless Apple Carplay and Android Auto. The driver display is also fully digital and customizable to the drivers’ tastes and likes.

 For 2021, the Bentley Bentayga Speed is the pinnacle of Bentley’s SUV lineup, offering more options and a smooth, comfortable and engaging touring experience rivalled by a few other SUVs.