Bentley Bentayga Plug-In Hybrid Heralds Electric Future

Bentley Bentayga Plug-In Hybrid Heralds Electric Future

Published: March 15, 2018 | By: American Luxury Staff

Bentley’s newest automotive offering is a plug-in hybrid, which may seem surprising; indeed, one can imagine Bentley and Rolls, stalwarts among automakers of the design methodology that favors tradition above all, and voices the romance of the past most stridently, resisting the shift to hybridization for as long as possible.

Truth be told, they have, under the circumstances. But consumer demand for cars that are at least partially unchained from fossil-fuel necessity is increasing by leaps and bounds, and it’s increasing segment-blind. Whether you drive an A-to-B subcompact or a tricked-out bespoke special, you’re probably at least curious about the hybrid or full-EV options available.

Rolls has a plug-in hybrid in the works, if they don’t skip the half-measure and head straight into EV territory. And Bentley’s beating them to the extra-fossil fuel punch. The company revealed their EXP Speed 6e at last year’s Geneva show; the EV roadster effectively merged EV sensibility with the kinds of luxuries Bentley customers expect.

At this year’s Geneva show, the Bentayga Hybrid made its debut. It’s Bentley’s first foray into production of an EV or partial, and it features a powertrain that blends a turbocharged 3L V6 with an electric motor. The SUV has a range of 31 miles.

Just how powerful is the electric motor? Bentley isn’t talking specifics yet. Right now, they’re focusing on the bells, whistles, and creature comforts, which include a satellite navigation system for optimal efficiency that switches to favor electric or gas power automatically, the finest leathers available for upholstery, adaptive cruise, and plentiful driver assistance.

Availability? Bentley is somewhat tight-lipped about those specifics, too, but the company did indicate that the model will be available in test markets toward the end of the year.

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