Bentley expects hybrid Bentayga to become its best-seller
Bentley says its new plug-in hybrid Bentayga is expected to become its most popular model. Bentley also calls the car “the only electrified true-luxury SUV in the world.”
On a full charge the Bentayga can go up to 31 miles on pure electric power from its 17.3 kWh lithium-ion battery pack. The electrons flow into a 94-kW (127-hp) motor which sits between the internal combustion engine and the gearbox; but in a car as big and heavy as the Bentayga we can’t imagine that performance in all-electric mode is exactly adrenaline-inducing. The car can run at up to 84 mph in EV mode, but the reality is that most drivers will find themselves frequently pressing the Hybrid Efficiency Accelerator Pedal to the point where the car’s 3.0-liter, twin-turbo, 449-hp V-6 kicks in.
Bentley claims that buyers of its previous-generation hybrid model did regularly use their cars in EV mode, so perhaps they’re not always in such a hurry. In addition to the pure EV setting the Bentayga has a Hybrid mode to maximize overall efficiency and a Hold mode to keep as much charge in the battery as possible for later use.
To help drivers drive in the most efficient manner the Bentayga links its accelerator pedal with its navigation system. The pedal vibrates when approaching a junction or speed limit reduction to encourage the driver to ease off and save energy.
The Bentayga hybrid is a key part of the British luxury firm’s drive to zero emissions. The company has already pledged to be a pure EV maker by 2030 and, now under the stewardship of Audi, rather than Porsche, is accelerating its drive to a greener future.
