Yahoo Autos The 2019 Bentley Bentayga Speed Is Faster but Cannot Crush the Lamborghini Urus
The new Bentley Bentayga Speed is claimed to be the world's "fastest production SUV," matching the top speed of the Lamborghini Urus.
Its sportier suspension and exhaust tune are important parts of its appeal.
Despite all that, it doesn't hit 200 mph.
Shrug at the Bentley Bentayga Speed for not hitting 200 mph as a 12-cylinder truck ought to in 2019. Cracking that mark in a nearly three-ton SUV, when it comes, will be as miraculous for a series-production SUV as it was for the Ferrari F40 in 1987. For now, we settle for 190 mph, a 3-mph bump from the Bentayga's base trim.
That it equals and does not exceed the current record holder, the genealogically similar Lamborghini Urus, is no coincidence. But Bentley's Speed treatments aren't exactly on the Hennessey level, with only a 26-hp bump (to 626 horsepower) and the same 664 lb-ft of torque from the twin-turbo 6.0-liter W-12. That's monstrous, yet not enough to outgun the company's Mulsanne Speed (190 mph), Flying Spur W12 S (202 mph), or Continental GT (207 mph). At 3.9 seconds, Bentley claims a two-tenth improvement to the company's claimed zero-to-62-mph time, although we've already run a regular Bentayga to 60 in just 3.5 seconds. We won't accept a tenth more.
Because wineries and castles tend not to pave their driveways, the Bentayga Speed's body-color front splitter, sills, and rear bumper don't impede much on ground clearance. The air suspension and active anti-roll bars take a firmer tune, along with a remapped Sport mode with more aggressive throttle and transmission response. Louder cold starts and guttural downshift blats help wake the W-12's exhaust from its subwoofer-grade slumber. Bentley's carbon-ceramic brakes, shared with the Urus, at 17.3 inches are claimed to be the largest front rotors fitted to a production car. Despite the Bentayga's locomotive curb weight, they're optional. When ordered, they fit snugly behind the Speed's unique 22-inch rims. Dark-tinted headlights, grille, and a rear spoiler bordering on that of the Honda Civic Type R come standard.
Inside, diamond-quilted seats and other Mulliner-spec materials join the lavish surroundings. Bentley swaps out leather in certain areas, such as the steering-wheel rim, for faux suede and carbon fiber instead of book-matched wood. More contrasting leather adorns the door trim, seat edges, and center stack. But the Bentayga in these photos is just a sample. Buyers can basically order whatever they want.
The Bentayga Speed will make its debut in March at the Geneva auto show. The Ferrari Purosangue won't until 2022, but when it does, expect a certain milestone will be met.
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