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    2021 Bentayga Speed isn’t Bentley’s best SUV

    The redesigned Bentayga nonetheless is not fairly, however seems to be rather a lot higher than earlier than.
    Steven Ewing/Roadshow
    With its 3.8-second 0-to-60-mph time, 190-mph prime pace and $247,725 price ticket, the Bentayga Speed is the quickest and costliest model of Bentley’s best-seller. Because of this, Bentley calls the Speed the “pinnacle” of its Bentayga lineup. Me? I’m not so positive.

    LikeExtremely fast and fastSupple experience qualityVastly improved cabin tech

    Don’t LikeMore options must be standardW12 engine is thirstySuper costly

    Make no mistake, the Speed’s specs are dynamite: Its 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine cranks out 626 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, and the whole lot of that low-range shove is obtainable from 1,500rpm. The rear finish hunkers down, the prow gracefully lifts and earlier than you recognize it, growth, warp pace. There’s no rear-ended-by-a-freight-train brutality to the Bentayga Speed’s launch. It’s all in a day’s work for this super-SUV. And as a result of the Bentayga W12 is not a part of the lineup, the Speed is the one technique to get 12-cylinder energy in a Bentley SUV.This easy acceleration is extraordinarily on model for a Bentley, however I actually want there was extra visceral drama. Stomp on the fuel in a V8-powered Bentayga and also you get a bellowing roar because the SUV rapidly will get in control. The W12, then again, seems like what it’s: two snoozy V6 engines smooshed collectively. The Bentayga Speed wants some aural punch to again up these crazy-quick launches.

    2021 Bentley Bentayga Speed affords large energy for an enormous worth
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    On the highway, the Bentayga’s dealing with is greatest described as sleek. The steering is on the lighter aspect and the physique gently leans whereas turning. The eight-speed automated transmission imperceptibly goes about its enterprise within the background, although a pair of unsatisfying-to-use paddle shifters are a finger’s attain away. Large 15.7-inch entrance and 15.0-inch metal brakes adequately convey the 5,529-pound Bentayga to a halt with completely no drama. And if these in some way aren’t sufficient, Bentley affords large 17.3-inch entrance and 14.6-inch rear carbon-ceramic brakes if whoa-nelly stopping power is one thing you envision needing on the common.All instructed, the Speed by no means forgets its core mission is to comfortably coddle. Its customary self-leveling air suspension and adaptive dampers continually make changes to quell undesirable harshness, the 22-inch wheels gliding over various highway surfaces. The large Bentayga is a reasonably agile factor, regardless of its measurement and weight, although if winding roads are a part of your common route, positively get the Bentley Dynamic Ride 48-volt antiroll bars, which hold this large boy flat as a pancake via corners.

    There aren’t many 12-cylinder vehicles left nowadays.
    Steven Ewing/Roadshow
    Yet regardless of its go-fast nomenclature, the Speed is not essentially the most athletic Bentayga. Yeah, there’s quite a lot of pleasure that comes from laying into the throttle and rocketing ahead, however there is not a single time the place I would not somewhat be driving the lighter, extra nimble Bentayga V8. In reality, the just lately introduced Bentayga S completely looks like the best choice, because it has 15% stiffer dampers and the aforementioned 48-volt antiroll tech comes customary. The S additionally has a normal free-flowing sport exhaust which, mixed with the burly V8, ought to make for a hell of a soundtrack.

    Besides, no matter what’s underneath the hood, the Bentayga affords excellent lodging. From the bottom V8 to the plug-in hybrid to the top-dog Speed, all Bentaygas might be optioned to your coronary heart’s content material, with flawless consideration to element and a common aroma of opulence — hallmark Bentley traits. For 2021, the Bentayga is obtainable with a couple of new thrives, together with a 3D leather-based design on the doorways and a brand new diamond quilting sample on the seats. There are 1,000,000 and one methods to spec the Bentayga of your goals, and please, promise me you may do one thing extra attention-grabbing than the painfully uninteresting and predictable red-and-black shade scheme pictured right here.Rear seat passengers have an additional 4 inches of legroom in comparison with older Bentaygas and there is a detachable pill on the again of the middle console with local weather and infotainment controls. Behind the rear bench you may discover 17.1 cubic ft of cargo area, which is not a ton, however fortunately the load-in aperture is large and low, largely because of a brand new clamshell hatch design that appears nice, particularly with the 2021 Bentayga’s fancy new oval taillights.Better cabin tech makes the Bentayga imminently extra livable.
    Steven Ewing/Roadshow
    Speaking of fancy, try the Bentayga’s new cabin tech. The 10.9-inch touchscreen runs a reskinned model of Audi’s MIB3 software program, full with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. This infotainment interface is tremendous easy to make use of, with colourful graphics and fast responses to inputs. The Bentayga has a completely digital gauge cluster, too, although it isn’t fairly as flashy as Audi’s Virtual Cockpit.Bentley affords plenty of driver-assistance applied sciences, although it continues to baffle me that a lot of those options aren’t customary. You have so as to add the $8,555 Touring Specification to get issues like adaptive cruise management, a head-up show and lane-keeping help. Never thoughts that some of these items comes customary on a Honda Civic.On that notice, it is alarming what number of niceties price further on an almost $250,000 SUV. The firm’s superior Naim stereo — a defining a part of the Bentley expertise — is non-compulsory. So, too, are issues like tinted rear glass, a hands-free liftgate and ambient inside lighting. Bentley ought to simply make all these items customary and cost an additional $15,000 on the underside finish: I promise $15Ok is a drop within the bucket for anybody who’s cool with paying $250Ok for a automotive.The bigger rear spoiler is a telltale Speed trait.
    Steven Ewing/Roadshow
    I’d even be remiss to not point out that, whereas the Bentayga Speed is a complete powerhouse, it is not the one recreation on the town. The Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid is faster and extra highly effective, and affords some usable electrical vary because of its plug-in powertrain. The Cayenne can be about $80,000 inexpensive. Of course, a Porsche is not a Bentley; that Flying B badge is value its weight in gold.The Bentayga Speed is an beautiful machine, and few different SUVs can contact its degree of luxurious. But whereas it sits atop the hierarchy when it comes to energy, worth and status, it is hardly the very best Bentayga. Make mine an S with the Naim stereo, please.

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