BENTLEY Bentayga Speed Models/Series Timeline, Specifications & Photos

The 2020 Bentley Bentayga Speed took the crown for the world's fastest SUV from its brother Lamborghini Urus by just a half of mile speed difference (0.8 kph).

The Speed version for any Bentley was the faster one. So was the Bentayga, which received few updates so it can outrun the regular version and its brothers. The Urus, the Bentayga, and the Porsche Cayenne were built on the same platform. But not all of them had a W12 engine under the hood.

For starters, the Bentayga Speed had a few details when compared to the standard version. Its front bumper and apron were different. To create a sporty look, the car featured dark-tinted headlights, side sills, and a longer roof-spoiler on top of the tailgate. Under the redesigned apron, the Bentayga Speed featured an Akrapovic exhaust. The “Speed” badge was shown on the front door panels. A unique design for the 22” light-alloy wheels was adopted to fit with the sportiest version of the Bentayga.

Inside, there was a mix of luxury and sportiness. It looked like a grand-tourer SUV. The center stack was the home of the infotainment system and another 26 buttons and knobs. Next to the gear selector, there were some other buttons, just in case those 26 were not enough. A carbon-fiber trim was used for the dashboard and the rear center console.

Under the hood, there was an upgraded version of the twin-turbo, 6.0-liter engine. It was upgraded by 26 hp over the regular model with the same engine.

Bentley's first SUV broke covers in 2015, but the British brand didn't want to stop there, and, following its traditional way of doing things, it added new versions for it, such as the 2019 Speed.

Many customers were enraged when Bentley announced that it would launch an SUV. Still, after the launch, the car sold well. Even though it shared its underpinnings with the likes of the Porsche Cayenne, Audi Q7, and Volkswagen Touareg, it was a different kind of high-rider and more luxurious than its siblings. But what made it stand apart was its speed. When launched, it was the fastest SUV on the planet, outrunning even its sibling, the Urus. Not by much, but still. But the big luxurious Bentayga had to undergo technical and aerodynamic upgrades to create something like that. Furthermore, customers had to feel and see why this car was so special, so Bentley added some interior changes.

On the outside, the Bentayga Speed featured new dark-tint radiator and bumper grilles. In addition, a lower chin enhanced the air dam to create more downforce at high speeds. Moreover, the body-colored side sills got a slightly different shape from its profile to help airflow. Finally, at the back, the automaker installed a roof spoiler at the top of the tailgate, while the lower apron got a redesigned splitter. As a touch of excellence, the Speed came with a unique set of 22" light-alloy wheels.

Inside, Bentley added discrete illuminated "Speed" badges on the side steps. In addition, this SUV's version was the first to sport Alcantara upholstery. The automaker replaced the B-wings with the "Speed" word embroidered on the front seats' seatbacks. Nevertheless, customers had the option to add carbon fiber trims on the front dashboard and center console.

Under the hood, the Bentayga Speed had an enhanced version of the six-liter twin-turbocharged engine that produced 26 PS (26 hp) more power than its non-Speed brother. This upgrade allowed the SUV to reach 62 mph (100 kph) from standing still 0.2 seconds quicker and gain a top speed of 306 kph (190 mph), which was 1 kph (0.6 mph) faster than the Urus.