While Bentley’s press releases say it plans to be fully electric by 2035, internal combustion powered monsters with gigantic power output appear to be the prime directive for the British ultra luxury automaker in the meantime.
Example: the just unveiled 2026 Bentayga Speed, a range-topping grade for the Bentley SUV that produces 641 horsepower and 627 foot-pounds of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds. And is any of that power driven by electricity? Is there a plug located somewhere in the Speed’s bodywork? Nope and nope. The Speed is all-gas, with its power supplied by a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8.
But in addition to being an absolute rocket (top speed, 193 mph), Bentley has also loaded the Bentayga Speed with trick chassis tuning and handling capability. Its Sport chassis has an ESC (electronic stability control) Dynamic setting that is basically a drift mode.
So, if you get bored of the Comfort and Bentley drive modes, you can dial the Bentayga Speed to Sport and that’s where things get interesting. As with most sport modes, Sport in the Bentayga Speed sharpens steering response, and stiffens suspension damping (by 15 percent in this case).
But you can elevate your dynamic driving experience even further by selecting ESC Dynamic, while in Sport mode, which dials back ESC intervention, which enables the car to drift. And oversteer. Also on the menu is torque vectoring for improved turn-in response, and better throttle application for corner exit, according to Bentley. Launch control, a first for the Bentayga, is included with ESC Dynamic.
The Bentayga Speed also comes with all-wheel steering, which reduces turning radii, and provides sharper steering response, Bentley says. All-wheel steering enables the rear wheels to turn in the opposite direction of the fronts at low and medium speeds to improve agility and shrink turning radii, the company says.
On the design front, the Bentayga Speed gets loads of “dark tint brightware” trim bits, chrome badges, 22-inch wheels, unique Speed headlights with dark tint internals and dark tint bezel, and grey taillights. Carbon ceramic brakes are optional, as are 23-inch wheels. The former are available in grey satin, black, and black with machined finishes. They come with painted calipers that are available in seven colors.
Bodywork detailing includes a black roof which is available with a gloss or satin finish depending on body color. And if one really wants to make the twin-turbo V8 roar, a Titanium Akrapovic Exhaust is available as an option.
Inside, Bentley has turned up the Bentayga Speed’s sporty character with unique Speed badging, which is applied to sill plates, and seat embroidering. Air vents can be ordered in dark tint, and a Precision Diamond quilt design is applied to seat shoulder panels, door panels, and backboard.
The 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed is expected to go on sale near the end of this year. Pricing hasn’t been announced. For reference, the 2025 Bentayga range in the U.S. runs from $207,050 to $339,850, so the ’26 Bentayga Speed should slot in there somewhere. Our guess is near the high end.
Photos courtesy of Bentley Motors
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