It was in September 2015 when Bentley introduced the Bentayga for the very first time. Back then, the British carmaker claimed that its first SUV was not just the most luxurious but also the most powerful and the fastest in the world. However, things have changed in the past three years. We’ve received the Lamborghini Urus which took the “most powerful and the fastest SUV in the world” titles away. We’ve also got the Rolls-Royce Cullinan which is arguably the most luxurious SUV in the world.

Time then for Bentley to fight back with the Bentayga Speed. As the name suggests, it is little about anything else. Under the bonnet is the same 6.0-litre, twin-turbo W12 engine that powers the standard Bentayga. But in the Speed, the gas-guzzler produces 635PS of power and 900Nm of torque. While the latter figure is exactly the same as that in the standard Bentayga but the Speed has 27PS more power.

Mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission and a permanent all-wheel-drive system, the engine catapults the Bentayga Speed to 100kmph from nothing in 3.9 seconds, which is 0.2 quicker than the standard SUV. Compare that to its step-sibling, the Lamborghini Urus, it is a tad slower to reach the 100kmph mark. However, at full stretch, the Bentley Bentayga Speed can hit 306kmph, which is 1kmph more than the Lambo. Based on this, the Bentayga Speed reclaims the title of world’s fastest SUV.

To deliver its keynote speech, which is outright speed, the Bentayga Speed features a tweaked Sport driving mode. It has been set up to quicken the response from the engine, transmission, suspension and Bentley’s Dynamic Ride system. Other changes to liven-up the Speed’s character include a louder exhaust note during startup and downshifts and firmer suspension setup. The new fastest SUV in the world can be equipped with ceramic brakes by paying an extra fee. If opted for, the SUV not only gets an enhanced braking torque of 6,000Nm but also sheds over 20kg in weight by ditching the iron brakes.

People need to know that you are driving a Bentayga Speed. And they will be able to figure that out by the aesthetic changes that new variant features. The list includes body-coloured side skirts, a rear spoiler, front and rear splitters, 22-inch, 10-spoke alloy wheels, smoked headlights, taillights and grille and Speed branding on the front doors. Inside the cabin, the use of Alcantara comes into the equation for the very first time in a Bentayga. Apart from that, there’s a Speed badge on the passenger’s side dashboard, illuminated and Speed branded scuff plates and contrasting stitching, including the diamond quilting on the cushion bolsters, the top of the backrest, the door pads and on the backboard of the seats.

The Bentley Bentayga Speed will make its world premiere at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show (GIMS). Pricing is still under wraps but it will surely be a considerable amount more than the standard W12-powered Bentayga.