Even the top end of town is doing its bit to save the planet.
Bentley has just delivered its first plug-in hybrid and the company’s most efficient model to date.
The Bentayga Hybrid SUV is described as the world’s first “true” luxury plug-in hybrid (and we reckon possibly the ugliest).
Bentley says its focus on sustainable luxury mobility has seen it reprioritise its model plan to accelerate its journey towards electrification, with the aim of offering a hybrid or electric variant of all models by 2023.
Further down the track however it is targeting the introduction of its first ever fully electric Bentley by 2025.
Visually challenged as it may be, Bentley’s first plug-in hybrid model offers the best of both worlds, combining a powerful new, 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 petrol engine with an advanced electric motor that delivers instantaneous response.
The Bentayga Hybrid’s efficient E Motor acts as both an electric motor and a power generator.
The electric motor generates 94kW of power and 400Nm of torque, the latter figure jumping to 700Nm in combination with the petrol engine.
The result says Bentley is a seamless driving experience, with the dash from 0 to 100km/h taking 5.5 seconds and a top speed of 254 km/h.
Electric only range 39 km (WLTP) or 51km (NEDC) on a single charge, with a total driving range of 747km, and CO2 emissions of just 79g/km (WLTP – weighted, combined) and 3.5L/100km on the WLTP weighted, combined cycle.
Bentley has sold 129 here so far this year, 47 of them Bentaygas.
Bentley’s Peter Bosch said the delivery of the first Bentayga Hybrid models is an historic moment for the company, taking it 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,” he said.
The price of a Bentayga Hybrid?
From £133,100, or about $244,000 Aussie folding money (No word on local pricing yet but the entry V8 costs $334,700).
CHECKOUT: The Bentley you need for 2035
CHECKOUT: Bentley smashes Pikes Peak record