Bentley Bentayga Speed Breaks SUV Record at Goodwood Hill Climb

Bentley made headlines at the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed as the Bentayga Speed shattered the hill climb record for production SUVs with combustion engines. Navigating the damp 1.9 km course, factory driver Andy Marson piloted the luxury SUV to a remarkable 55.8-second finish, reaching speeds of up to 209km/h despite the challenging surface. Under the bonnet, the Bentayga Speed houses a potent 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 that delivers 641bhp and 850Nm of torque, allowing it to sprint from 0 to 100km/h in just 3.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 310km/h. This milestone not only underlines Bentley’s engineering capabilities but also reinforces the Bentayga Speed’s position as a benchmark in the high-performance luxury SUV space.

Bentley Bentayga Speed: Performance, Chassis, Design and More

At the 2025 Goodwood Festival of Speed, Bentley test driver Andy Marson reached a top speed of 209km/h in the Bentayga Speed before braking ahead of the challenging Molecomb corner. This record-breaking hill climb showcased Bentley’s latest engineering advancements, particularly the revised suspension setup, enhanced ESC Dynamic mode, and the addition of all-wheel steering. These upgrades collectively offer sharper handling, better cornering traction, and greater driver confidence.

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With a run time of 55.8 seconds, the latest Bentayga Speed not only outperformed its previous W12-powered version, despite having drier track conditions, but also became the quickest production SUV with an internal combustion engine ever recorded at the event. Only Bentley’s specially modified Pikes Peak edition has managed a faster climb.

Bentley also offers carbon ceramic brakes as an option, designed to work with the ESC Dynamic system to improve agility. Together, they enhance braking performance, enable torque vectoring, and even allow for precise drifting and sharper cornering inputs. The all-wheel steering system furthers the SUV’s agility, with the rear wheels turning opposite the front at low speeds for easier maneuverability and in the same direction at higher speeds for enhanced stability.

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On the design front, the Bentayga Speed balances familiar proportions with sportier detailing. Dark-tinted lights, black exterior accents, and painted brake callipers give it a more assertive character. It comes standard with 22-inch Speed wheels, while an optional 23-inch set, Bentley’s largest SUV wheel offering yet, is available with the ceramic brake package.