Rolls-Royce CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös recently
revealed his company isn't in a rush to offer semi-autonomous driving
technology and it appears Bentley is taking a similar approach.
In an interview with The Drive, Bentley's boss of
the Americas said he hasn't heard a customer describe autonomous driving
technology as a must have feature. Mark Del Rosso went on to say “It has to
become a want and a need and a desire" before the company decides add the
technology to its vehicles.
entley is starting to add high-tech
driver assistance features to newer models such as the Continental GT. As the
company noted at its unveiling, the GT comes with a new electric power-assisted
steering system which enables the car to offer Active Lane Assist, Traffic Jam
Assist and Park Assist.
While Bentley appears to be taking a cautious
approach to autonomous driving technology, Del Rosso said it is embracing
electrification. As the executive explained “We want to be the leader in luxury
electrification" and "It’s not a matter of if, but when."
Del Rosso confirmed we'll get our first taste of an
electrified Bentley in the form of the Bentayga plug-in hybrid. The company
still debating if future models should be plug-in hybrids or pure electric
vehicles but Del Rosso says it ultimately depends on what the customer wants.
Cr : Carscoops