Excessive-end luxurious manufacturers have historically been conservative when arising with spec configurations for his or her vehicles, each by way of what’s despatched to sellers and what’s proven in advertising and marketing supplies and constructed as press vehicles for journalists to drive. Lately manufacturers like Aston Martin and Rolls-Royce have been going wild relating to specs, constructing extra vehicles in searing shiny colours and strange combos, and this vibe shift is very evident whereas strolling via the parking zone on the launch occasion for the 2026 Bentley Bentayga Velocity.
Out there for us to drive are Bentaygas in metallic orange with a blue inside, satin inexperienced with an identical inexperienced inside and orange accents, white with lime inexperienced seats and exterior trim, and teal blue with granite veneer. Sure, that is proper, you will get stone within the dashboard of your Bentley. Prospects actually do purchase ostentatious specs today, absolutely a mirrored image of more and more youthful common proprietor ages and their wishes to face out, and the brand new Bentayga Velocity is seeking to seize these patrons who need much more drama than what Bentley used to supply from its SUV. With extra energy, enhanced dealing with and a really superior exhaust the 2026 Velocity is genuinely sportier than any Bentayga earlier than it, and a straightforward automobile to grow to be infatuated with.
Full disclosure: Bentley flew me to Montana to drive the Bentayga Velocity, put me up at a really good lodge and fed me good meals, together with one al fresco at a cattle ranch the place an especially sizzling man in a cowboy sizzling served me lemonade.
You will not miss the W12
I perceive in the event you’re mourning the W12 that powered the outdated Bentayga Velocity, an engine that Bentley discontinued in 2024 after eleven years in manufacturing, however you actually should not miss it. The dual-turbo 4.0-liter V8 that the brand new Velocity makes use of is much more thrilling and higher suited to the SUV’s sportier mission, plus it would not really feel an excessive amount of like different Volkswagen Group merchandise that use the identical powertrain, such because the Audi RS Q8 Efficiency and Porsche Cayenne Turbo GT.
The brand new Bentayga Velocity’s V8 produces 641 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, 15 hp greater than the outgoing W12-powered Velocity, although the W12 had 37 extra lb-ft. In comparison with the Turbo GT the Bentayga is down 9 hp however up 1 lb-ft, and it has 10 hp greater than the RS Q8 and the identical quantity of torques. Different V8 Bentaygas have simply 542 hp and 568 lb-ft, so the Velocity is a giant bounce up. Modifications for the Velocity embody bigger turbochargers that come on earlier and have much less lag, a decrease compression ratio and higher-flow gasoline injectors.
It is mightily fast
For the primary time in a Bentayga the brand new Velocity has an precise launch management function so you do not have to simply brake torque it anymore. The place the Continental GT and Flying Spur’s launch management techniques are laser-precise, being on the MSB platform shared with the Porsche Panamera, the Bentayga Velocity’s launch management is much more dramatic. It is fairly simple to activate: twist the extraordinarily beautiful drive mode knob into Sport, maintain the steadiness management button to activate the brand new ESC Dynamic mode (extra on that later), depress the brake after which gasoline pedals all the best way, and launch the brakes.
The Bentayga Velocity squats exhausting in a really un-SUV-like manner, blasting to 60 mph in simply 3.4 seconds, 4 tenths faster than the outdated W12 Velocity and a full second faster than the Bentayga S. A Turbo GT is three tenths faster, however the Bentayga will match the RS Q8 when the sunshine turns inexperienced, and it is practically as fast as Bentley’s newest PHEV Speeds. With launch management enabled the primary two or three shifts from the 8-speed ZF automated transmission are much more violent than regular, and it is fairly entertaining. 100 mph is reached in 8.3 seconds, and the Velocity will preserve pulling like a practice as much as a 193-mph high pace, 3 mph up from the W12 Velocity.
The titanium exhaust is a must have
However overlook how fast it’s — the Bentayga Velocity sounds superior. As customary it has a sport exhaust system that is louder than different V8 Bentaygas and the outdated Velocity, however you may possibility a titanium Akrapovic system that is fitted to all of the Bentaygas on the drive occasion. Bentley says the Akrapovic pipes save 28 kilos, and their sound is completely pure with no synthetic enhancements. Even within the calmest Consolation drive mode the exhaust is at all times current, burbling and grumbling like a canine having dream, but it surely’s by no means too droney even at freeway speeds.
Put the Bentayga into Sport and the exhaust actually comes alive. I feel it sounds even higher than within the different SUVs with this V8, Turbo GT included. It is just like the exhaust is studying a music sheet the place the notes are a graph of my inputs; each blip of the throttle, each downshift, each lift-off as I enter a nook is accompanied by roars and bangs and crackles and barks. My drive accomplice and I spent most of our time laughing at how outrageous the exhaust is, particularly for a giant Bentley SUV, and it actually suits the Bentayga Velocity’s character.
Even in Consolation mode it is loud as hell from exterior, too, the form of exhaust be aware you may hear driving via metropolis visitors that makes you flip your head and go “what automobile is that coming from?” When somebody is getting on it in a Velocity you may hear its exhaust blatting even when they’re corners away. Plus the Akrapovic system simply seems cool, with a pair of big branded ovals on all sides of the diffuser as an alternative of the extra delicate single ovals of the usual system.
23-inch wheels do not spoil the trip
To essentially make the most of the Velocity’s newfound energy and loudness, Bentley made its Sport drive mode loads, properly, sportier. It makes the suspension 15% stiffer, will increase steering suggestions and throttle response, and makes the engine and transmission much more responsive. Rear-wheel steering and Bentley’s Dynamic Journey 48-volt anti-roll system additionally come customary on the brand new Velocity for the primary time. A Cayenne or RS Q8 could be the higher performer for individuals who need a true efficiency SUV, and I definitely can inform however the Bentayga weighs 5,425 kilos, but it surely’s in a position to actually hustle on the twisting hills and lengthy sweepers in Huge Sky in a manner that brings a legit smile to my face. Minor corrections are simple to make with out the Bentayga getting unsettled.
22-inch wheels are customary, however one other Bentayga first are the non-compulsory 23-inch wheels, which the entire Bentaygas we drive are geared up with, paired with 285-width Pirelli P Zero summer season tires. Regardless of the wheel dimension and efficiency rubber trip high quality is shockingly clean and composed, no less than on these fairly good Montana roads, and there is tons of grip with little or no noise coming from the rubber even when pushed exhausting. Driving down a gravelly street the Velocity’s trip remains to be higher than your common big-wheeled luxurious efficiency SUV. Coming hand-in-hand with the 23s are carbon-ceramic brakes, with their 17.3-inch entrance discs (paired with 10-piston calipers!) being the biggest within the business. They’re by no means too sharp or grabby round city or when within the mountains, and brake pedal really feel is sweet and linear.
Bentley desires you to float
Then there’s that ESC Dynamic mode that is unique to the Velocity. It permits for far more on-throttle slip angle and energy oversteer, although stability management will nonetheless kick in if the automobile detects you are not gonna reserve it. On this mode the brake-based torque vectoring system works tougher when turning into and powering out of corners, and there is much less understeer. On the street ESC Dynamic makes a noticeable distinction even after I’m not likely pushing it; the Velocity feels tauter and extra responsive, the tail finish much more energetic.
To essentially check out ESC Dynamic mode Bentley arrange a makeshift rally course utilizing single-lane dust roads surrounding the Leaping Horse Inventory Ranch. Regardless of being restricted to pretty low speeds — that is completely alright, as I do not need to crash a $300,000 SUV right into a ditch or a cow — it is an excellent alternative to essentially get foolish. That tail-happy tuning is much more current on these washboard surfaces, and pulling off good drifts round 90-degree corners is a cinch. The steering feels nice right here, with the pretty fast rack and responsive throttle making it simple to chain corners collectively, and there is simply sufficient slip and energy to get actually lairy however not be in concern of shedding management.
A stunning place to be
I do want Bentley differentiated the Velocity’s styling a bit extra, however it’s a improbable trying factor. It has distinctive splitters and spoilers, tons of dark-tinted trim as customary, and clear taillights that I am keen on. The 23-inch wheels look improbable, and a Velocity-only possibility is distinction shade pinstriping alongside the decrease physique equipment items. It’s also possible to get the roof panel in gloss or satin black for the primary time, and dozens of various paint colours can be found, together with true two-tone choices. I say go for the brightest, wildest specs you may. Reside a bit!
The cabin would not simply really feel like a tarted-up Porsche to me, both. Each panel, swap and piece of trim seems and feels of the utmost high quality. There are many buttons and knobs so that you can press and twist, a lot of that are made out of actual steel. The seats are supportive and cozy (and have an excellent therapeutic massage perform), and you will get the Velocity with a four-seat setup that has a hard and fast heart console within the rear and all types of enterprise class–like accoutrements. Speeds are provided in a particular shade cut up, they usually additionally get precision diamond quilting on the seats and door panels. The digital gauge cluster and central infotainment system look good and work properly, although it is all getting a bit up there in age. It is merely a very nice inside to spend time in, a automobile that you might simply each day drive with out criticism.
It is a automobile to your coronary heart
The truth that Bentley made a supremely good luxurious SUV that’s genuinely playful on a mud course must be recommended. Bentley did not need to do it, and definitely few of its clients will actually drive the Bentayga Velocity to the total extent of its capabilities — advertising and marketing supplies have proven the SUVs chasing bicyclists down sand dunes, racing skiers on a snowy mountain and following a surfer by driving alongside the seaside.
However whereas many Bentayga Velocity house owners will not even take their SUVs on a twisty mountain street or ever have interaction the ESC Dynamic mode, they’re going to all be delighted by the loud exhaust, grin once they flooring it from a flight, giggle as they whip round metropolis streets. Possibly they’re going to even be inspired to do some drifting off the overwhelmed path when on trip in Aspen or St. Mortiz. The 2026 Bentley Bentayga is simply enjoyable, and refreshingly so. 106 years into its existence Bentley is gaining an actual humorousness relating to its merchandise, and Bentayga Velocity clients will reap these advantages.
