Bentley accelerates its electrification journey
Bentley has confirmed that first deliveries of the Bentayga hybrid SUV have now taken place, marking a significant milestone for the company as it leads the push towards the delivery of sustainable luxury mobility.
Bentley’s focus on providing sustainable luxury mobility has seen it reprioritise its model plan to accelerate its journey towards electrification with the aim of offering a hybrid or electric variant of all models by 2023. The marque is targeting the introduction of the first-ever fully electric Bentley by 2025.
Bentley’s first plug-in hybrid model offers a best-of-both-worlds experience, combining a powerful new, 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with an advanced electric motor that delivers an instantaneous response.
The hybrid utilises future-focused technology to provide a unique, serenely quiet and luxurious driving experience. It is also the only plug-in hybrid vehicle in the world with 64 standard colours and unlimited bespoke options.
“The delivery of the first Bentayga Hybrid models is a historic moment for Bentley, taking us a step closer to the roll-out of truly sustainable luxury mobility solutions," says Peter Bosch, Bentley’s member of the board for manufacturing. "As we prepare for the next 100 years, we are investing significantly in new initiatives that reinforce our commitment to sustainability, as demonstrated by the visionary all-electric Bentley EXP 100 GT concept.”
The Bentayga hybrid represents a new chapter for Bentley, adopting new working practices, test procedures and specialist training which over 3,000 Bentley colleagues have undertaken. Bentley’s expanding headquarters in Crewe has also evolved, with infrastructure changes that include the addition of more than 50 charging points throughout the site.
The specifications
Handcrafted in Crewe, England the Bentayga Hybrid has all-wheel drive ability to deliver the ultimate driving experience.
The Bentayga Hybrid’s efficient E Motor acts as both an electric motor and a power generator. Offering 94 kW of peak power and 400 Nm of torque, it allows swift and silent acceleration from stationary. The system provides instant torque response by eliminating engine turbo lag, while a state-of-the-art, high voltage battery is capable of recharging in just two and a half hours.
The E Motor is combined with a new 3.0-litre, turbocharged V6 petrol engine. The result is a seamless driving experience that offers 700 Nm of combined torque, a top speed of 254kph and 0 to 100kph in 5.5 seconds.
With a total driving range of 747 kilometres and a WLTP equivalent all-electric range of 39 km/24.23 miles on a single charge, the hybrid adds a new dimension to the existing range of Bentayga models.
Returning CO2 emissions of just 79 grams per kilometre, and 3.5 litres per 100 kilometres on the WLTP weighted, combined cycle, it is Bentley’s most efficient model to date.
The latest version of Bentley’s exquisitely appointed SUV has three hybrid drive modes.
In EV drive mode, it is driven only with energy supplied from the battery to the wheels via the electric motor.
In hybrid mode, the car uses information from the navigation system to intelligently optimise power usage from the battery and the petrol engine, giving maximum efficiency and range.
In hold mode, the use of engine and electric power is balanced to maintain electric range for later use – for example on arriving in a city. In all modes energy is recovered to the battery through regeneration during deceleration.
