The world’s first luxury plug-in hybrid SUV, the Bentley Bentayga, has rolled off the production line as the brand celebrates its 100-year birthday and a new era of vehicle manufacturing.
Its first plug-in hybrid model, which combines a 3.0-liter V6 twin-scroll turbo petrol engine with a 94kw electric motor powered by a 17.3kWh lithium-ion battery, is its most efficient car ever produced with 79g/km of CO2 emissions. The resulting power is a combined 449PS (443bhp), 700Nm of torque a top speed of 254 km/h (158 mph) and 0 to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds (0-60 mph in 5.2 seconds).
Compared to the thirsty 6.0-liter W12 of old, this next-generation model offers a total driving range of 747 km (464 miles) and a WLTP Equivalent All Electric range of 39 km/24.23 miles (NEDC Electric Range of 51km/31.7 miles) on a single charge. It has a claimed 50mpg.
The Bentayga Hybrid’s efficient E motor acts as both an electric motor and a power generator. Offering 94 kW peak power and 400 Nm of torque, 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 2.5 hours.
“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. 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,” said Peter Bosch, Bentley’s member of the board for manufacturing.
The price tag for the Bentayga hybrid begins from US$160,000 and this new chapter for Bentley is part of a plan to offer electrified variants of all models by 2023.
