Bentley announces Bentayga Hybrid

Bentley has rolled out its latest variant of the Bentayga SUV, a plug-in hybrid model delivering a 50km range, CO2 emissions of just 75g/km in combined-cycle testing and full battery recharging from a domestic power supply within 7.5 hours.

Described by the manufacturer as the "world's first luxury hybrid", the Bentayga Hybrid is said to deliver performance and refinement in the same league as the existing petrol W12 and V8 models. Its 3.0-litre petrol V6 is coupled to an electric motor/generator unit to keep the battery charged in transit. With the arrival of the plug-in model, Bentley now has two fuel-conserving variants in the Bentayga range, the other being the Bentayga Diesel.

The idle-stop disable switch in other variants is replaced with a drive mode selector in the Bentayga Hybrid. This allows the driver to manually select from three different modes: EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode. Hybrid-specific trip information is displayed through the revised infotainment screen, including performance, consumption and the energy source in operation. The digital tachometer changes to an 'EV Drive' gauge when the petrol engine is not operating and the engine temperature gauge has been ditched in favour of a battery status readout.

GPS location and route planning through the satellite navigation system provide parameters for the Bentayga Hybrid to use the available battery charge and energy supplied by the petrol V6 most efficiently. Where cities (such as London) charge a congestion tax for all but ultra-low-emissions vehicles, the Bentayga is exempted, rated at 75g/km as it is. That is the threshold above which vehicles incur the congestion charge (£11.50 a day) for driving in London.

The Bentayga Hybrid also comes equipped with Remote Battery Charging, Remote Heating & Cooling, and Vehicle Status Report, which conveys information by means of a smartphone app. A recharging dock available for the Bentayga Hybrid has been designed by Philippe Starck to keep cables neat and untangled in the garage. This device features "pressed eco-linen with bio-sourced thermosetting resin" and "a hot-pressure aluminium casting".

Safety equipment and driver-assist technology for the Bentayga Hybrid will include Electronic Night Vision, Park Assist, adaptive cruise control, Traffic Sign Recognition, rear cross-traffic warning and 360-degree cameras.

Comfort and convenience features will comprise: an eight-inch infotainment touch screen, satellite navigation with voice prompts in up to 30 different languages, a removable Android 10.2-inch tablet for rear-seat entertainment and a choice of three different audio systems.

"The Bentayga Hybrid is our first step on the road to electrification, combining traditional Bentley values with the very latest technologies," says Bentley CEO, Adrian Hallmark.

"It gives customers the best of both worlds – engaging, effortless performance on the open road and silent, emission-free driving in the city, which will become increasingly important with the ever-changing regulations around the world," Hallmark was quoted as saying in a press release.

"Following Bentley tradition, the Bentayga Hybrid pioneers a new automotive sector – the luxury hybrid – and sets Bentley on the path towards a sustainable electrified future.”

Although the car is now revealed, it's not yet available to order. Bentley anticipates the Bentayga Hybrid will be offered in some markets from the second half of 2018.