Bentley Motors has announced the full details of the new Bentayga Speed - the pinnacle of the Bentayga family - with effortless performance, yet no compromise on luxury.

Hand-built at Crewe, the Bentayga Speed combines the W12 powertrain and many of the models luxurious features as standard, including the Mulliner Driving Specification.

Building on a long tradition of Speed models that was born with the Continental GT in 2007, the new Bentayga Speed maintains the performance credentials proved by its predecessor, which claimed the production SUV record at the gruelling Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in 2018.

The new Bentayga Speed takes the Bentayga's extraordinary abilities to new levels, utilising the 6.0-litre W12 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers peak power of 626bhp. Effortless acceleration is always guaranteed thanks to 900Nm of torque.

The assembly of the W12 powertrain takes the skilled engine builders approximately 10% of the total hours required for the manufacture of the Bentayga Speed. With exceptional performance, comfort and handling, maximum speed is also increased to 306km/h, while the zero to 100km/h sprint is delivered in 3.9 seconds.

Efficiency is also an important aspect of such a powerful engine. To achieve effective cylinder deactivation with the complex layout of the W12, the engine control unit deactivates one complete bank of six cylinders as required.

Switching between A and B bank using information from the inlet and exhaust sensors minimises cylinder and catalytic convertor cool down and avoids spikes in exhaust emissions. This not only benefits CO₂ emissions but realises significant economy gains under part-throttle cruising conditions.

In gears five to eight, when the driver releases the throttle, the car will open the torque converter, dropping the engine to idle and simply allowing the car to roll or 'sail'. When the throttle is reapplied, or the car starts going downhill and detects an increase in speed, the transmission is re-engaged. 

To match the elevated levels of performance, the Bentayga Speed sports a purposeful exterior look. Dark-tint head lights, body-coloured side skirts, unique front and rear bumpers and a striking, elongated tailgate spoiler characterise the Bentayga Speed's performance credentials.

Dark-tint radiator and bumper grilles, a unique 22-inch wheel design available in two finishes - painted and dark tint, and Speed signature badging add to the sporting design cues. At the rear, the exhaust finishers are now the oval design that signifies a W12 powertrain. Dark-tint tail lamps complete the Speed exterior signature.

Inside, the Bentayga Speed introduces a dramatic design theme that balances luxury and performance in an unrivalled way. The unique Speed colour split is achieved through the use of dark colours enhanced by primary hide accents running throughout the interior trim.

The Speed colour split also introduces Alcantara to the cabin of the Bentayga, across the seat cushions and back rest centre panels, gear lever, steering wheel, lower knee trim areas, upper pillar trim and headliner. A new contrast stitching design through the diamond quilting of the Mulliner Driving Specification is included as standard and is unique to Speed, with each of the stitch lines running through the quilting being split - one to match the leather, the other in the contrast colour. Discreet metal Speed badging to the front fascia and Speed illuminated treadplates complete the signature look.