Bentley Bentayga to get V8 diesel

Bentley will expand its luxurious Bentayga SUV line-up with the addition of a triple-charged 4.0-litre V8 diesel lifted from the Audi SQ7, according to a new report.

The move to offer a diesel marks the first time in the British car maker's entire 97-year history that it has offered an alternatively-fuelled production car for sale.

Breaking the news a diesel Bentayga is on the way, Dutch newspaper the Telegraaf, announced that Bentley had internally confirmed the Audi SQ7's powerplant for the Bentayga.

Set to instantly become Bentley's best-selling model in European markets, the mighty 320kW/900Nm 4.0-litre V8 has already drawn considerably acclaim, not least from motoring.com.au, for the performance and refinement it offers.

Featuring a pair of conventional turbochargers that sit within the hot-vee, the Audi engine features a world first - a third electrically-powered compressor that forces air through the mechanical blowers when the latter aren't working hard.

Powered by its own dedicated 48V power supply, the V8 is able to dish up near lag-free performance, delivering its 900Nm of torque from just 1000rpm.

It helps Audi's large SUV reach 100km/h in 4.9 seconds and top out at a limited 250km/h; and it's thought the SQ7-powered Bentayga will at least match those figures.

Perhaps more impressive, considering the power and torque, is that the Audi can average 7.2L/100km while emitting just 194g/km of CO2.

Increasing efficiency by introducing diesels, plug-in hybrids and, even pure-electric powertrains will all be crucial to helping lower Bentley's average CO2 emissions, which will also have a positive impact on the average CO2 emissions for its parent company the Volkswagen Group.

The V8 diesel Bentayga is expected to be on sale early 2018, but it's not known when Bentley will unveil the new engine to the world's media, as the manufacturer has already announced it will not be attending the Paris motor show.

Bentley has refused to confirm or deny the Bentayga is set to receive the Audi SQ7's engine. In the past, however, Bentley's CEO, Wolfgang Durheimer, has announced that the Bentayga's model range would expand to include V8 petrol, diesel, and V6 hybrid powertrains.

On sale since March this year, and priced from $423,600, the big Bentley is comfortably the most expensive SUV on sale Down Under.

The British car maker says it hopes to sell 50 of the flagship 447kW/900Nm turbocharged 6.0-litre W12 variant in Australia. Despite being claimed to be a fully capable off-roader, the Bentayga in that trim can reach 100km/h in 4.1 seconds and exceed 300km/h.