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| August 18, 2020 | Volume 16 Issue 31 |
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First Look: Top-of-the-line Bentley Bentayga Speed
If you want proven power and performance mixed with heritage luxury in an SUV, you'd be hard-pressed to find better than the special Bentayga Speed edition -- Bentley's top-of-the-line SUV that does 190 mph. This is the vehicle that broke the SUV record at Pikes Peak in a stunning upset in 2018, and its refresh is filled with updated style and impressive new tech. It's a surprising mix of beauty and beast.
The Bentayga Speed, the most powerful and performance-orientated Bentayga to date, does all it can to make the most of it 6.0-liter W12 twin-turbocharged engine that delivers peak power of 634 hp (the "regular" Bentayga has a V8). That big engine provides 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque, available as a plateau from 1,500 rpm to 5,000 rpm. Bentley says assembling the W12 powertrain "takes the skilled engine builders approximately 10% of the total hours required" for the SUV's manufacture. The Speed does 0 to 60 mph in 3.8 sec -- not the fastest-accelerating SUV, but still impressive.
Under the hood there is a lot going on. For instance, 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 by using information from the inlet and exhaust sensors minimizes cylinder and catalytic convertor cool down and avoids spikes in exhaust emissions.
In 5th to 8th gears, when the driver releases the throttle (say, during highway cruising), the car will open the torque converter, dropping the engine to idle and simply allowing the car to sail. When the throttle is reapplied, or the car starts going downhill and detects an increase in speed, the transmission is re-engaged.
To use all its power to the best advantage, the Bentayga Speed is equipped with four on-road Drive Dynamics modes: Comfort, Sport, Bentley mode (manufacturer's basic recommendations), and Custom. Sport mode has been recalibrated to enhance response from the W12 engine and the eight-speed automatic transmission, together with the air suspension system and Bentley Dynamic Ride. Bentley says the effect is a more dynamic and engaging drive.
Dynamic Ride is the world's first electric active roll-control technology that utilizes a 48-V system. It features electric motors placed on the front and rear axles to provide instant, variable resistance. It counteracts lateral rolling forces when cornering to ensure maximum tire contact, cabin stability, ride comfort, and exceptional handling. Recalibration of Bentley's Torque Vectoring by the brake system, where the car lightly brakes the inside rear wheel at corner entry to sharpen the front axle turn-in, makes the Bentayga Speed even more responsive.
The Speed's optional carbon ceramic brakes are the largest and most powerful brakes available from Bentley, with a maximum braking torque of 6,000 Nm. They are engineered to withstand temps up to 1,000 C.
Design-wise, the Speed is all about restrained luxury -- both inside and out. It's minimalist but still extremely cushy.
Dark-tint headlights, body-colored side skirts, unique front and rear bumpers, and a striking, elongated tailgate spoiler let you know that this is a performance vehicle. Dark-tint radiator and bumper grilles, a unique 22-in. wheel design available in two finishes (painted and dark tint) and Speed signature badging add to the sporty 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 Speed's two-color palette is achieved through the use of dark colors enhanced by primary hide accents running throughout the seats and interior trim. There are elegant swooshes of contrast leather around the doors, along the edges of the seat cushions and backrest bolsters, and on the lower console. The diamond quilting of the Mulliner Driving Specification (included as standard) is unique to the Speed and epitomizes ultra-luxe. Alcantara trims are also in the mix, primarily across the seat cushions and back rest center panels, gear lever, steering wheel, lower knee trim areas, upper pillar trim, and headliner.
All in all, it looks money.
A bigger and brighter, high-resolution 10.9-in. touchscreen, with an anti-reflection and anti-glare coating and much improved touch functionality, now spans the entire width of the center fascia for a more contemporary look. Content can be selected either via hard keys beneath the screen or from the main menu screen.
Navigation is improved with a three-dimensional display, satellite maps, and content in the driver's next-gen Head-Up Display. The Head-Up Display can now project traffic information, street names, and distance to destination too.
For customers with a thing for that black-on-black, mean street look, Speed offers that too. The Black Specification replaces all exterior chrome work, bright detailing, and some elements of the body with gloss-black or carbon fiber versions. The front bumper splitter and the side sills are recreated by hand in carbon fiber, while the rear bumper diffuser becomes gloss black. All exterior brightware (including the roof rails) gets the gloss-black treatment, as are the 22-in. wheels and exhaust finishers. The standard roof spoiler is replaced with a curved carbon fiber version.
Pricing was not released, but it should start just north of $250,000 if it is in line with the previous Speed model.
Learn more at www.bentleymotors.com/en/models/new-bentayga/new-bentayga-speed.html.
Source: Bentley Motors
Published August 2020
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