Bentley Moving Towards Electric Power with Bentayga Hybrid
Many followers of the brand would take issue with a V6-powered Bentley, but this Bentayga hybrid might convince them otherwise.
A British bruiser reduces its mpg
When we spot a Bentley Bentayga cruising along, we hardly imagine it having hybrid-like fuel-efficiency. But the stately British vehicle brand has now added a battery to its luxury SUV. Although there are no obvious exterior design clues alluding to that.
Not only value at the gas pump - but in terms of retail pricing too
The Bentayga's hybrid badging is very subtle, although the chromed finish does underline that even this battery-assisted Bentley remains very much true to the brand's heritage. What is perhaps the most curious point of appeal, concerning the hybrid version, is that it is the most affordable of all Bentleys.
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A green machine with the special goods at the back
The Bentayga's infotainment screen does much to illustrate the hybrid's slight change in configuration. You can clearly see where the battery pack is mounted, below the cargo area and above the rear axle. At 13kWh of capacity, it is not a huge battery pack, but entirely sufficient to augment the big SUV's performance.
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That's a strange tach
Perhaps the best clue inside this Bentayga's cabin, of its hybrid-drive ability, is found in the instrumentation binnacle. Here the traditional tachometer is slightly revised to include an electric-vehicle energy count, which obviously starts at zero engine revolutions. This is because battery power provides immediate peak torque.
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Electric performance
Rolling the Bentayga hybrid along is a 3-liter turbocharged V6, boasting 335hp. The hybrid system's battery pack adds a surge of its own power to allow the Bentayga a total output of 443hp when required. As a result, performance is brisk: 0-60mph in 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 158mph. You also have the traffic cruising convenience of running solely on battery power for up to 16 miles.
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Some things never change
The drivetrain might be a sophisticated synergy of batteries and turbochargers, but inside the Bentayga hybrid remains a stately Bentley. Many analog design touches remain in place all around the cabin, such as a traditional clock and manual air-vent controls.
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Cool Britannia feel inside
As with all Bentleys, this Bentayga hybrid has a cabin built by hand. The leather is soft and crafted into shape with great skill. That also applies to all its wood veneers. It has a warm ambiance that most other luxury vehicles aspire to.
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This is the most sensible of all Bentleys
It sure is fast, but how about the efficiency gains due to the hybrid system? Well, Bentley claims average consumption of 50mpg, which is deeply impressive for a vehicle of the Bentayga's size. To recharge the battery pack, you'll need to plug it into a 240V power point for two and a half hours.