Bentley Motors has officially taken the wraps off its latest high-performance SUV, the 2026 Bentayga Speed. And this one’s different. Gone is the W12 engine, and any pretense of hybrid ambition has been shelved—at least for now. In its place? A thunderous V8, now tuned to deliver a massive 641 horsepower. But perhaps the bigger surprise is what comes along with it: a drift mode. Yes, in a Bentley.
This marks a shift for the British luxury marque—a clear signal that Bentley still values visceral driving, even in an SUV renowned more for its quilted-leather calm than tire-smoking antics. The company touts this new Speed variant as the “most powerful, most dynamic, and best sounding Bentayga yet,” backing it up with formidable specs and a suite of performance upgrades.
The Heart of the Beast: A Potent V8
At the center of this refreshed beast is a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8. It cranks out 641 horsepower (650 PS) and 627 lb-ft (850 Nm) of torque. Now, while the torque doesn’t quite match the retired W12, this V8 does add an extra 15 horsepower to the mix, officially crowning it the most powerful Bentayga to date. It’s an interesting move, especially as most of Bentley’s stable inches toward hybridization or full electrification.
So what does all that muscle get you? A 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.4 seconds (0-100 km/h in 3.6 seconds), which is not only quicker than the W12-powered Bentayga but a full second faster than the standard V8 S variant. Top speed? A heady 193 mph (310 km/h). For something this opulent—and this heavy—those are jaw-dropping numbers.
Engineered for Excitement: Chassis and Dynamics
To make sure all that power doesn’t go to waste, Bentley has given the Speed model a thorough chassis upgrade. The highlight here is the new Sport mode, which firms up the air suspension by 15 percent. That might sound modest, but it does sharpen the ride and steering noticeably, helping reduce body roll and improving handling precision—no small feat in a nearly three-ton SUV.
Another first for the Bentayga lineup is four-wheel steering. At low speeds, the rear wheels turn in the opposite direction of the fronts, making tight maneuvers surprisingly graceful. At high speeds, all wheels align in the same direction for added stability, especially during quick lane changes or enthusiastic cornering.
Torque vectoring via braking is standard, further enhancing agility by allowing more controlled power delivery mid-corner. Also new is Launch Control, now part of the Speed’s performance arsenal, ensuring consistent and dramatic getaways every single time.
The Debut of Drift Mode
But here’s where things get a bit unexpected. Bentley has added what it officially calls an “ESC Dynamic setting” —essentially, a drift mode. Paired with Sport mode and optional carbon-ceramic brakes, it allows for “power-on oversteer where appropriate.” Translation? This big, posh SUV can now drift, on purpose.
It’s a bit wild, considering the Bentayga Speed tips the scales at over 5,400 pounds. Still, the very idea adds a certain renegade charm. Let’s be honest, most owners probably won’t use it much—but knowing it’s there? That counts for something.
To complement the added aggression, Bentley’s given the Speed a more expressive soundtrack. A standard sport exhaust pipes the V8’s note straight to the cabin. And for those who really want to crank up the drama, there’s an optional Titanium Akrapovič exhaust with quad tailpipes.
Subtle Design Tweaks and Luxurious Interior
Visually, the 2026 Bentayga Speed hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but there are distinct cues if you’re paying attention. Think dark-tinted brightware, unique Speed badging, and 22-inch alloy wheels—with optional 23s for those who want to go bigger. The brake calipers are customizable in seven different hues.
Inside, it’s still very much a Bentley. The new “Precision Diamond” quilting pattern, darker secondary leather, and Speed branding on the fascia give it a fresh look. Air vents come finished in a dark tint, and customers can dial in their own style with a wide selection of interior colors and materials. It’s luxury, unmistakably, with just a hint of menace.
Market Position and Outlook
Pricing hasn’t been locked in for all markets just yet, but in the UK, the new Bentayga Speed starts around £219,000 (roughly $296,100). Expect that figure to rise quickly once options and bespoke Mulliner touches enter the mix.
With the 641-hp V8, sharpened dynamics, and a genuinely unexpected drift mode, Bentley is carving a unique niche for the Bentayga Speed. It’s for buyers who still crave unfiltered performance but aren’t quite ready to give up leather-lined luxury—or make the leap to electric.
And perhaps that’s the real point here. In an era where even sports cars are going silent, the Bentayga Speed V8 offers something old-school, something with a heartbeat. And that, for the right buyer, might just make it the ultimate luxury SUV.
