Bentley Debuts First Plug-In Hybrid

Bentley has made its intentions for the electric era clear by debuting the all new Bentley Bentayga Hybrid. The model is now available at the retail level in the European market and is positioned as the first plug-in hybrid in the luxury segment.

According to Bentley, the Bentayga is the brand’s most efficient model to date, with CO2 emissions of only 79 g/km and it offers an impressive all electric range of 39 miles on a single high voltage charge for just 2.5 hours. Bentley is all set to begin delivering the model to customers in the UK and Europe at the end of 2019. The model is also slated to be launched in the United States at the start of 2020.

The plug-in hybrid variant of the Bentayga has been designed as the ultimate grand tourer as it has a wide range of advanced technical features and delivers a luxury driving experience.

The hybrid Bentaygais highly efficient and offers enhanced performance with its 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine, thus redefining the luxury SUV segment. The latest technologies have been incorporated in the design of the petrol engine to improve its efficiency and performance, and it works in tandem with the state-of-the-art electric motor to offer customers a smooth and efficient ride, without any compromise when it comes to power. The vehicle can accelerate from 0-60mph in just 5.2 seconds, and delivers 700 Nm of combined torque. The top speed is 158 mph, which is quite high for a hybrid vehicle.

The Bentayga plug-in hybrid offers three hybrid drive modes – the EV mode, the hybrid mode and the mode in which it is possible to reserve power for later use. In the EV mode, the vehicle uses the battery as its sole source of power to the wheels through the electric motor.

In the hybrid mode, the vehicle uses the optimum combination of electric motor and engine, in order to effectively use the hybrid power on a specified route which has been input into the navigation. This calculation is done using an intelligent software that is unique to the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid, using the Satellite Navigation system. The system displays the maximum remaining range in EV mode based on the location of the vehicle. The third mode allows the motorists to save power for later use, as in the case when the vehicle is venturing into the city. In all three modes, it is possible to recover energy to the battery through regeneration during deceleration.

Each Bentayga hybrid model will be handcrafted in Crewe and needs 130 hours to build. The design is characterized by elegant and timeless finishes, as well as an athletic stance and sleek exterior. The cabin is stylish and driver focused with a wide array of personalization options available to the customer, as well as intelligent Satellite Navigation.

Bentley aims to release an electrified variant of each model across their range by 2023 and the Bentayga Hybrid is the brand’s first step in this direction.