2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed First Drive: No W-12? No Problem.

The 12-cylinder era might be burning out, but the thrill ride is far from over. Leave it to Bentley to keep the adrenaline pumping. Ever since the marque waved goodbye to its thunderous W-12, it’s been on a mission to reclaim that lost horsepower glory—and then some. A few Bentleys have turned to plug-in hybrid V-8s, blending volts and velocity for a new-age punch. But the 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed takes a different route, and it’s one lined with nothing but pure, unfiltered gasoline. This beast of an SUV cranks out even more horsepower than the dearly departed W-12, all without a hint of electrification.

The 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed doesn’t just wring every last pony out of its V-8; it turns up the volume, too. Bentley strapped on a new exhaust system that doesn’t whisper refinement and instead roars with muscle car attitude. Fire it up, and you’re treated to a soundtrack that growls, snarls, and crackles like it just rolled off a dragstrip. It’s a symphony of combustion that dials up the drama and injects even more excitement into every accelerator stomp.

To put the revamped V-8 to the test, we hit the scenic roads of Montana, where the landscapes are as wide open as the throttle. The mission was to see if this new setup has what it takes to fill the retired W-12’s mighty shoes. Of course, we couldn’t resist pushing the limits a little. So yes, we tried to get the Bentayga sideways, because come on, who doesn’t love sliding a nearly three-ton luxury SUV just for the thrill of it?

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641 HP on Tap

Bentley didn’t revive the Bentayga Speed just for show. The company did so because customers demanded more muscle. The result is an upgraded 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8, which now pumps out a ferocious 641 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’s 15 horses more than before and just 37 lb-ft shy of the mighty W-12 it replaced. In real-world driving, you won’t notice the torque drop, but you definitely feel the punch every time you mash the gas.

Fire up the engine, and you might fool the neighborhood into thinking a Corvette just rolled onto the block. The Bentayga’s roar is deep, thunderous, and guaranteed to plaster a smile across your face. Bentley certainly wasn’t exaggerating when it said the Sport exhaust system would crank things up. Our test model, finished in stealthy Gravity Grey, indeed came fitted with the Akrapovič exhaust setup, complete with quad tailpipes that enhance the sound even further. Honestly, we didn’t expect it to sound this good. Not because we doubted Bentley’s capabilities but because pairing a Bentayga’s posh presence with a muscle car snarl feels totally unexpected, yet it’s completely awesome.

Put the Bentayga Speed in drive, tap Sport mode, and buckle up. Hold the brake pedal while pressing the throttle, then release it. There’s a slight pause before the chaos begins. The V-8 erupts, the exhaust howls through the cabin, and the revs shoot skyward. You’re pinned back into the seats, grinning like a maniac, as the eight-speed transmission snaps through gears with precision. It’s raucous, it’s wild, and it’s laugh-out-loud exhilarating—the kind of experience that makes you want to turn around and do it all over again.

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Feeling Good, Too

Sure, some brief turbo lag puts a slight damper on the party, and we wish it weren’t there at all. But once the new Bentayga Speed shakes it off, it launches with serious intent, hitting 60 mph in just about three seconds, Bentley says. Not bad for a luxury SUV tipping the scales at nearly 2.5 tons. Yet it never feels that heavy. A big part of this magic comes from the steering. Light and effortless around town, it tightens up noticeably in Sport mode, giving you just enough feedback to forget you’re piloting a high-riding SUV. Bentley deserves serious credit here because the steering is precise, responsive, and confidence-inspiring, whether you’re gliding down a highway or carving through switchbacks.

Bentley says the suspension stiffens by 15 percent in Sport mode, and after some seat time, we’re inclined to accept that. Just like the transmission and steering, the dampers get noticeably firmer, dialing in a more planted and responsive feel when you push the pace. But when you flick the dial to Comfort mode, the Bentayga transforms; suddenly it’s all about plush cruising, soaking up bumps like a proper grand tourer. Want something in between? Bentley mode strikes the perfect balance, delivering a luxuriously soft ride that effortlessly glides over cracked pavement and even loose gravel. Yes, we ventured off the beaten path—unpaved roads and all—and watched the suspension work its magic. The dampers and air suspension worked in harmony, ironing out rough terrain so effectively that you kind of think the road has been suddenly paved.

Drifting a Bentley might not be the first thing that comes to mind when you see one roll up, but the Speed version has a few tricks up its sleeve, namely torque vectoring and a dynamic stability control system that let you kick out the rear, just enough to feel like a rally hero. Now, we tried to drift it—conditions weren’t exactly ideal, and we only had two corners to play with—but the Bentayga still managed to swing its tail with a touch of oversteer. With limited runoff and loose terrain, it was a brief but fun moment of controlled chaos. We’ll need more seat time (and space) to perfect the art, but once it hits the streets later this year, you can bet we’ll be giving it another shot on our home turf.

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Enhanced Interior

The 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed doesn’t just feel special from behind the wheel, as it treats everyone lucky enough to ride inside. As with any Bentley, the interior is a master class in luxury, where every surface feels thoughtfully crafted and unmistakably high-end. The leather seats strike the balance between supple comfort and sporty support, with side bolsters that hold you snug when the road starts to wind. Look up, and the Alcantara headliner adds a whisper of sophistication. And as always with Bentley, personalization reigns supreme. Whether it’s contrast stitching that injects a splash of personality into the cabin or the stealthy elegance of dark chrome trim, there are endless ways to make the space uniquely yours.

New diamond-quilted stitching on the seats and door panels brings a sporty and sumptuous vibe. And just in case you forget what you’re driving, Speed emblems are scattered proudly throughout the cabin, from the passenger-side dash to the seat backs.

Bentley offers the Bentayga Speed exclusively in short-wheelbase configuration, a nod to its sportier intentions. But that choice comes with a slight trade-off. Rear legroom isn’t exactly generous, especially if you’re expecting limolike stretches of space. It’s comfortable enough for shorter trips, but let’s be real: This isn’t the Bentayga you buy to be chauffeured in. It’s the one you buy to drive. Still, Bentley didn’t forget about the back seat. Tucked into the rear of the center console is a slick, smartphone-style control unit that lets rear passengers tweak everything from the radio and climate settings to the window blinds.

On Sale and Cost

Bentley remains tight-lipped about pricing. For now, the marque has committed to holding existing prices steady through July, but don’t expect a fresh wave of inventory anytime soon. The company is only offering customers existing stock while it awaits clarity on looming tariff changes, particularly the 10 percent tariff on British-built vehicles. Once the regulatory dust settles, Bentley will unveil official pricing for the 2026 Bentayga Speed. That said, we figure the price tag will stay just shy of the $300,000 mark.

As for availability, Bentley anticipates the first 2026 Bentayga Speeds will begin arriving in the fourth quarter of this year, just in time to add some serious horsepower to your holiday season.