Despite partial rain, and just before the opening of the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, the 650 hp Bentayga Speed completed the hill climb in 55.8 seconds, officially becoming the fastest SUV. This time beats the official times of all other internal combustion engine SUVs that have competed at Goodwood. Bentley’s Bentayga Pikes Peak was the only SUV to achieve the fastest time, and it is the only petrol-powered Bentayga specially modified for this purpose.
The Bentayga Speed’s 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine produces 650 hp and 850 Nm of torque, enabling the car to accelerate from 0 to 100 kmph in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 310 kmph. These figures comprehensively exceed the Bentayga V8 S’s 4.4 seconds, as well as the 3.9-second mark set by the previous W12-engined Bentayga Speed.
Andy Marson set a new benchmark for an SUV, achieving a committed run that reached a top speed of 209 kmph before braking at Moulcombe.
Of the three drive modes available to drivers of the new Bentayga Speed, COMFORT and BENTLEY remain unchanged in calibration compared to other Bentayga models. In contrast, SPORT mode has been significantly enhanced to enable the driver to exploit the V8’s power when cornering fully.
The Bentayga Speed now features four-wheel steering. At low and medium speeds, the rear wheels steer in the opposite direction to the front wheels. At higher speeds, the rear wheels steer in the same direction as the front wheels, improving stability.
Distinctive exterior features of the new Bentayga Speed include a gloss dark finish, bright chrome Speed badges on the leading edge of the front doors, and 22-inch Speed wheels in either dark or silver (the latter available at no extra charge). The Speed’s unique headlights feature dark inserts and a dark surround, while the taillights are finished in grey with a dark surround. For the first time in Bentley history, 23-inch Speed wheels are now optional when the carbon ceramic brakes are specified, available in a choice of satin grey, black, or black with a polished gloss finish. Painted callipers in seven attractive colours are also available with the standard brakes, as well as when the carbon ceramic brakes are specified.
