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New Bentley Bentayga flagship to arrive next year with plenty more power

Bentley is working on a high-performance variant of its Bentayga SUV packing a high-grade turbo V8

Bentley Bentayga V8 S - front

Bentley has hinted that it’ll introduce a new high-performance variant of the popular Bentayga SUV next year, and without any form of significant hybrid assistance.

While this doesn’t really sit with the brand’s Beyond100+ strategy that will kick off in 2026, the new model will no doubt sit well with customers keen on a high-performance Bentayga – especially after the recent demise of the W12 model. 

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The new version will very likely use a highly tuned version of the existing Bentayga's twin-turbocharged 4.0-litre V8. As it stands, this well proven powertrain is currently rated at a relatively modest 542bhp, even in the sportier S variant.

Historically, this was designed to ensure a bit of performance headroom for the W12, but with that engine now out of service, the doors have been opened for a more powerful version of the V8. 

The surprising bit, though, is that Bentley will not use the plug-in hybrid found in the closely related Porsche Cayenne Turbo E-Hybrid. Instead, it’ll run an unassisted version of the V8 tuned to produce extra power, potentially with a similar output to the 592bhp Audi RS Q8

This won’t just make the new version lighter than the corresponding plug-in hybrid, it will also give the car an even more dynamic character than the W12-powered Speed, which was always affected by the 12-cylinder engine’s prodigious weight. 

In that car, Bentley employed a whole range of chassis tech to keep the weight in check and we expect the same thing here, with complex hardware like the company’s active anti-roll system, rear-wheel steering and air suspension. 

Being a high-performance flagship, there should also be a round of styling changes outside, plus a set of big brakes – potentially with carbon-ceramic options – and a new set of 22-inch, or potentially even 23-inch wheels. 

The combination of elements could well make this new model the most dynamic and engaging variant of the Bentayga yet. Likely to cost over £200,000 when it arrives next year, production will likely be limited due to the Beyond100+ strategy’s 2026 cut-off for its pure ICE model lines.

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Senior staff writer

Senior staff writer at Auto Express, Jordan joined the team after six years at evo magazine where he specialised in news and reviews of cars at the high performance end of the car market. 

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