SUV that tries hard not to be sports car

This is the Bentley Bentayga Speed - the most powerful Bentayga yet, and in theory, the most dynamic to drive too.

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This isn't the first time we've seen a “Speed” version of this ever-so-posh SUV - but it's not been on sale since 2023 when Bentley scrapped its signature 6.0-litre W12 engine.

Think of this as, say, the SV version of a Range Rover.

WHAT'S NEW?

Apart from the engine - more of that in a mo - Bentley's played with the adaptive dampers - in Sport mode they're now 15% stiffer than a regular Bentayga. And there's a new “Dynamic” mode to allow for some sideways action, but it's only possible if you opt for the enormous carbon ceramic brakes.

UNDER THE BONNET?

The Speed now features a twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8, svelte compared to the old 6.0-litre but putting out a tad more power. It's good for 641bhp, up 15bhp on the old car, helping it hit 0-60 in 3.4 seconds. It's also quite a bit more powerful than the regular V8-powered Bentayga. Bentley has boosted the size of two turbochargers to squeeze an extra 100bhp out compared to the regular car.

WHAT'S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?