Bentley’s new Bentayga Speed is a reminder that true craftsmanship and raw performance still matter in a world obsessed with virtue signaling and bureaucratic mandates. The once‑iconic W12 has finally bowed out and Crewe’s engineers answered with a high‑powered twin‑turbo V8 that quietly proves engineering and market demand can trump trendy narratives. This is automotive excellence built for people who earned it, not for a government checklist.
Don’t let the headlines about downsizing fool you — the new Bentayga Speed punches well above its weight. Bentley’s press release lists peak output at 650 PS (641 horsepower), 627 pound‑feet of torque, a 0–60 time of about 3.4 seconds and a top speed in the neighborhood of 193 mph, numbers that best the old W12 in outright pace. Buyers who expect luxury to mean lethargy will be surprised; this is a proper performance SUV that still carries the dignity of a Bentayga.
Beyond straight‑line speed, the engineers rethought the chassis so the Bentayga actually drives like a modern performance machine instead of a floating sofa. New Sport calibrations and a bespoke ESC Dynamic mode let the hulking SUV generate controlled slip angles and even offer launch control for the first time, while rear‑wheel steering sharpens turn‑in and agility. These are the kinds of mechanical solutions born from competition and customer demand, not from edicts handed down in distant regulatory offices.
Of course, Bentley still sells dreams — and the Mulliner bespoke program makes those dreams bespoke in every stitch and veneer. Mulliner’s work is the opposite of mass conformity: hand‑selected hides, diamond quilting, custom trims and a level of personalization that ensures your Bentley isn’t a rolling statement from some corporate focus group but a private expression of success. For those who value individuality and earned reward, the existence of a thriving market for Mulliner‑level cars is proof the free market still respects excellence.
Let’s be blunt: some on the left love to scold wealth while telling everyone what their car must be and when they must stop buying the things they love. The Bentayga Speed is a rebuttal to that mindset — a demonstration that consumers will reward companies that deliver performance, luxury, and real choice. Conservatives should cheer that a storied British marque still answers to customers, not to technocrats who think dialing down aspiration is a public service.
This model also underscores a broader industry reality: the move to electric drivetrains is neither inevitable nor universally loved, and manufacturers are adapting rather than blindly obeying timelines. Bentley itself has pushed its full electrification plans out and signaled that internal combustion will remain part of its lineup for years, a pragmatic recognition that buyers and infrastructure still vary widely by market. That pushback against a one‑size‑fits‑all green agenda is exactly the kind of sensible, market‑driven approach that respects both choice and progress.
In short, the Bentayga Speed is more than another expensive SUV; it is a cultural statement wrapped in satin paint and precious leather. It rewards hard work with honest performance and craftsmanship, and stands as an example of what happens when manufacturers listen to customers instead of regulators. For patriots who believe in earned success and individual choice, cars like this are worth celebrating — not policing.
