Bentley Bentayga Speed: Inside The Most Powerful SUV Bentley Ever Built | Cars & Bikes | Forbes

The 2025 Bentley Bentayga Speed represents a definitive strategic shift for the storied British marque, marking the end of the legendary W12 era in favor of a precision-engineered twin-turbocharged V8. Producing a staggering 641 horsepower, this iteration is not merely a performance SUV; it is the cornerstone of Bentley’s "Bespoke Revolution". By prioritizing the short-wheelbase configuration for enhanced agility and all-wheel-drive capability, Bentley has engineered a vehicle that maintains "Reliability Royalty" status whether navigating city centers or dirt roads leading to a private ranch.

While the entry-level Bentayga offers a gateway to the brand, our test model—outfitted by the exclusive Mulliner collection—commands a $420,000 price point, illustrating the significant market for personalized high-net-worth assets. From the crystal-cut round headlights to the "private lounge" interior featuring quilted leather and microsuede pillows, the Bentayga Speed is positioned as "Investment Gold" for those seeking the pinnacle of status and craftsmanship. In a landscape where luxury is increasingly defined by the ability to customize every material and finish, this vehicle stands as the ultimate ultra-luxury utility on the road today.

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The Bentley Bentayga felt buttoned up powered by the brand’s iconic W12, a powerful 12-cylinder engine. It carried the proper amount of power to scoot you out of the picture in a blur of satin paint. Enough torque to feel the thrust of the Bentayga’s engine and produce a smile, not so much, though, that you’d feel ruffled by the experience.

With the introduction of the new Bentley Bentayga Speed, however, could a V8 produce the same power and experience, or more, with smaller machinery?

That was the question as we spent the week driving around Los Angeles in the Bentayga Speed, recently retooled and enhanced for the next era of the Bentayga, SUV, the brand’s best-selling model.