A few weeks ago we had carried the news of the Bentley Bentayga
Speed's imminent launch. Well, it is here, snatching the top spot of the fastest production SUV in the world from Lamborghini Urus.
Bentayga Speed: Tall Claims?
The Lamborghini Urus, hitherto the world's fastest production SUV, is powered by a twin-turbocharged V8 that makes 641hp, sending the super SUV to 304kph, and past the ton in 3.6 seconds. Bentley
claims to have beaten the Urus, but only just. You see, the Bentayga Speed has a slightly faster top speed at 305kph. However, there is no beating the Urus in acceleration tests, seeing as Bentley
managed to propel the mammoth SUV to 100kph in 3.9 seconds.
Where does the 'Speed' come from?
Bentley has plonked in the same engine in the Bentayga Speed as the regular Bentayga. With some tweaks, the company has managed to unlock 626hp from the 6.0-litre W12. Torque stays the same, while there are 26 more horses to play with. Bentley's claim to making the fastest production SUV in the world sure seems dubious, since the Lamborghini Urus has higher power at 641hp. It is also quicker off the line.
Bentley engineers revised the Bentayga Speed's eight-speed automatic gearbox to attain the higher top speed, keeping the drive modes intact. If Bentley's claims were to hold true, then the 2020 Bentley Bentayga
Speed is indeed the world's fastest production SUV. It does not matter if it is faster than the Urus by just a klick and a half. By an inch or by a mile, winning is winning.
Other additions to the 2020 Bentley Bentayga Speed
The Bentayga Speed gets recalibrated active roll bars to compensate for the power bump, as well as carbon-ceramic brakes and a rear spoiler. Customers of the gigantic super SUV can choose between three finishes for the 22-inch 10-spoke wheels: Black, Dark-tint, Silver. The body kit is colour-matched with the car, while blacked-out headlamps, taillamps, and grille contrast the bodywork nicely.
Super SUV Wars: Aston Martin and Ferrari are coming too
This cruel world has forced Ferrari to go back on its word and start building an SUV of its own. Across the channel, Aston Martin
has already been spotted testing a high-riding prototype with the letters 'DBX' boldly plastered across its bodywork. And who's to say there isn't a Lamborghini Urus SV in the works? The SUV wars are heating up, and it will be great to see automakers step out of their comfort zones in style.
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