![[FIRST LOOK] 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed SUV](https://sficoza.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/SFI.COZA-6-scaled.png)
Can a luxury SUV really be this fast and still feel like royalty on wheels? Bentley says yes!
In May 2025, Bentley unveiled the 2026 Bentayga Speed, their most powerful luxury SUV to date, during a private global reveal streamed from Crewe, England. The vehicle is headed to South Africa by early 2026, promising to rewrite the rules of what a luxury SUV can be. Targeted at the elite buyer who wants raw power with handcrafted elegance, this latest model pairs traditional British class with an unapologetically aggressive V8 performance.
The Bentayga Speed has always been Bentley’s flex move. Now, in its 2026 form, it’s more confident than ever. Under the hood sits a reworked 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 engine, pushing out 467 kW and 900 Nm of torque. That means zero to 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds, numbers that creep into sports car territory.
”No other SUV can compete with the Bentayga when it comes to craftsmanship, comfort, or sheer exhilaration. Available with a 4.0-liter V8 petrol engine, an even more powerful, performance-tuned version of the same engine, or an advanced 3.0-liter hybrid powertrain, it is a luxury SUV without compare”.
According to Thembi Soko, a Johannesburg-based automotive analyst, “The new Bentayga Speed hits the sweet spot between raw grunt and luxury grace. It’s not trying to be a track car. It’s a private jet on wheels.”
The Design: Loud Without Shouting
Bentley didn’t reinvent the shape, but it didn’t need to. The body remains wide and muscular, with subtle aerodynamic tweaks. A dark-tinted grille, gloss black exterior trim, and 22-inch wheels come standard. It’s still unmistakably a Bentayga, but with sharper lines and bolder detail.
Inside, though, is where Bentley seals the deal. Drivers can expect a cabin drenched in Alcantara, leather, and real wood. Every inch feels custom-made. Optional features include contrast stitching, embroidered seat logos, and mood lighting that wouldn’t be out of place in a Mayfair penthouse.
Want more custom flair? Bentley now offers more than 80 paint options, including heritage colors from the Mulliner Legacy range.
A Statement on Wheels
Priced from around R6.8 million in South Africa, the 2026 Bentayga Speed isn’t about value. It’s about presence, power, and privilege. For those who want a vehicle that offers everything—comfort, speed, exclusivity—this Bentley isn’t just an option. It’s the standard.
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, of course. But so is a Naim sound system that costs more than some entry-level hatchbacks. Bentley calls it “concert hall quality.” That’s not a brag; it’s the truth.
Driver-assist systems include night vision, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist, and a 3D surround-view camera. These aren’t gimmicks; they work quietly in the background to make the drive safer without taking away from the joy of actually driving.
Final Word from SFI.COZA
The 2026 Bentley Bentayga Speed is not subtle. It’s not trying to be humble. But it is exactly what Bentley says it is: the most refined, most aggressive version of itself yet.
In a world chasing electric range and minimalism, the Bentayga Speed is a reminder that there’s still room for luxury with bite. It’s not just a car. It’s a move.
As Soko put it, “The new Bentayga isn’t trying to compete; it’s reminding everyone who started the race.”
And in 2026, it’s doing that faster than ever.
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