2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed Returns with More Power, Wild Drift Mode, and V-8 Roar
The Bentley Bentayga Speed is back for 2026, and it’s louder, faster, and more fun than ever—despite losing four cylinders.
MotorTrend recently gave a first look at the new model, and while the big W-12 engine is gone, Bentley has made sure the power is not. Instead, they’ve gone with a 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 that now makes a massive 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’s more power than the old W-12 version ever had.
Even though it has fewer cylinders, this version of the Bentayga is now the most powerful one ever made. It also comes with new wheels, a sharper look, and some updates inside. Bentley even added a Drift mode.
Yes, a drift mode in a giant luxury SUV. They say if you switch the traction control to Dynamic and hit Sport mode, the new Bentayga Speed will let you slide around corners with style. Sounds wild, but we’ll believe it when we try it ourselves.
The 2026 Bentayga Speed is now the top model in the Bentayga family. The other models in the lineup include a regular twin-turbo V-8 with 542 horsepower and a plug-in hybrid with 456 horsepower.
Bentley says this new Speed version goes from 0 to 60 mph in 3.4 seconds. But let’s be honest, they always play it safe with their numbers. In real-world testing, the old W-12 model did it in just 3.1 seconds, even though Bentley said it would take longer. So the new one might be even quicker—maybe even under 3 seconds.
To help control all that power, Bentley added big carbon-ceramic brakes and gave the SUV new 23-inch wheels, the biggest they’ve ever used. A sport exhaust system comes standard to give the engine a louder growl, and for those who want even more sound, there’s an optional titanium Akrapovic exhaust with four tailpipes.
The 2026 model also features four-wheel steering. That means it should be easier to drive in tight spaces, like city streets or parking garages. Bentley also tweaked the suspension. When in Sport mode, the ride gets stiffer, and the steering feels sharper. According to the company, this setup makes the big SUV feel more connected and fun to drive.
From the outside, the changes are minor but nice. The headlights have a darker tint, the taillights are smoked gray, and the “Speed” badge is there to remind you that this is the top dog. There are also pinstripes along the sides that you can match with your brake calipers. Inside, you get fancy quilted leather and “Speed” logos stitched into the seats. The interior trim can also match the outside stripes if you want everything to feel more put together.
Overall, Bentley took something already impressive and turned it up to 11. It’s faster, louder, and more playful, even though it lost the old W-12 engine. We’ll be getting behind the wheel soon to see if this beast really can drift. Stay tuned.
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