Why Everyone Was Talking About The Bentayga Speed At Goodwood

Bentley brought its A-game to this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, both on the hill and on display. The blue Bentayga Speed that ran up the hill on Sunday morning became the fastest internal combustion SUV ever to complete the climb, setting a time of 55.8 seconds in damp conditions. It held that title for a while before Aston Martin swooped in and stole the crown. Still, it was a proper mic-drop moment from Bentley. Meanwhile, a white Bentayga Speed was parked nearby, proudly showing off all the details that make this updated SUV feel faster, meaner, and more focused than ever.

A Sophisticated, Mighty SUV

Powered by a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, the latest Bentayga Speed produces 641 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to launch it from zero to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds and push it to a top speed of 193 mph. And if you get the optional titanium Akrapovic Exhaust, it’ll sound great doing so. During its Goodwood run, the hi-po SUV reached 130 mph on the short, twisty hill, showing just how much performance Bentley has squeezed out of this platform. But the record-breaking run wasn’t just about straight-line speed. A stiffer chassis, enhanced suspension setup, and improved torque vectoring all contributed to the Bentayga’s impressive road manners.

A Closer Look at the Show Car

While one Bentayga was chasing records, the other was charming guests invited into Bentley’s stunning two-story show stand with its bold design. The white Bentayga Speed featured all the hallmarks of the updated model, including dark-tinted trim, a contrasting black roof, and Speed badging. It also wore optional 23-inch wheels, revealing massive carbon ceramic brakes underneath. What stood out, though, were the bright green accents. They lined the lower bodywork, popped from behind the wheels, and continued inside the cabin. Green stitching traced the quilted leather seats, door panels, steering wheel, gear shifter, and even the center console. It added just the right amount of over-the-topness to an already luxurious space.

Performance You Can Actually Use

The real magic of the new Bentayga Speed is how well it blends comfort, control, and the practicality of an SUV. Sport mode sharpens the steering and firms up the suspension, while all-wheel steering helps it stay agile in tight spaces and stable at high speeds. It also features launch control, a first for the Bentayga, along with an ESC setting that lets you slide the SUV sideways when you want to. In essence, all of this means it’s the ultimate daily driver SUV… as long as you can stomach paying nearly $300,000. Together, these features show that Bentley still knows how to build a true luxury vehicle capable of outrunning nearly everything on the road.