Bentley has unveiled the all-new Bentayga Hybrid,
following a leak earlier today. Billed as the “world’s first luxury hybrid,”
the model debuts in Geneva with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a
turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 petrol engine, an electric motor and an undisclosed
battery pack. The company wasn’t ready to talk specifics but confirmed the
model will have an electric-only range in excess of 50 km and CO2
emissions of 75 g/km.
While Bentley was coy on details, the automaker said
the battery can be replenished in as little as 2.5 hours with a high speed
charger. Using a standard household outlet triples the time as it takes around
7.5 hours.
Bentley has partnered with
designer Philippe Starck to create a bespoke wall charger called the “Power
Dock.” Bentley says the charger is a “statement piece” with the “exquisite
attention to detail you would expect from both Bentley and Starck.”
To help maximize fuel-efficiency, the Bentayga Hybrid
will calculate the optimal usage of its petrol engine and electric motor every
time a destination is entered into the navigation system. As Bentley explains,
the system will maximize EV usage in the city and reduce the on-board charge to
zero as the vehicle reaches its destination.
On the styling front, there isn’t much to report as
the hybrid variant is distinguished by subtle tweaks including “Hybrid” badging
and unique wheels with copper accents.
Bigger changes occur in the cabin as the crossover has
been outfitted with a revised infotainment system and instrument cluster which
features hybrid-specific displays. In the latter case, the temperature gauge
has been replaced by a battery status dial while the tachometer is replaced by
a dial which shows if the model is in EV mode. Designers also installed
“Hybrid” tread plates and an E Mode selector with EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and
Hold Mode settings.
The Bentayga Hybrid will go up for order in the
second half of 2018 and it will only be offered in “selected markets.”
