What's the news?
Bentley has confirmed a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of its Bentayga SUV at the Geneva Motor Show.
Called the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid (not PHEV), it's the fourth model in the grandiose 4x4's line-up, after the original W12, the Diesel which employs the underpinnings of the mighty Audi SQ7 and the recent announcement of a smaller petrol variant, the 550hp, 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8.
Bentley is withholding much of the technical specification of the Bentayga Hybrid for now, so we don't have exact figures on power, torque, performance or fuel economy. But the upper-class British marque does confirm that a turbocharged, 3.0-litre V6 petrol does much of the donkey work, augmented by an 'E Motor' that can take the gigantic SUV up to 50km on electric power alone - and which cuts the CO2 emissions to just 75g/km; that's a massive reduction compared to the other Bentaygas, which kick out 210g/km (Diesel), 260g/km (V8) and 296g/km (W12) apiece.
Despite showing it in Geneva, Bentley says the Bentayga order books are not yet open. Selected markets will be able to put their money down on the Hybrid in the latter half of this year, with deliveries commencing some time in 2019. And in case you're wondering, the Bentayga Hybrid should feel like a proper Bentley - the company says it 'feels and rides like a true Bentley, providing the refinement, effortless performance and exquisitely tranquil cabin environment for which the luxury British brand is famed. It represents the future of luxury mobility; an oasis of calm and tranquillity in the city and beyond'. So now you know.
Identifying a Bentayga Hybrid are copper-coloured highlights on the exterior, such as 'Hybrid' badges on the lower sections of the front doors and on the tailgate too, and also the wheel centres and the Bentley logos. Furthermore, there's an additional charging flap on the nearside-rear of the big SUV. As with all other Bentaygas, the Hybrid will have a vast array of top-end equipment available to it, either as standard or as optional extras, while inside revised displays in the instrument cluster inform the driver of the hybrid system's status and reserves. The cabin also enjoys the typical Bentley handcrafted leather and wood approach, while the seating configurations of four or five chairs continue.
Recharging the Bentayga Hybrid takes 7.5 hours on a domestic household socket or 2.5 hours on a rapid connection, but if you want the ultimate in electrical elegance, then the 'Timeless Bentley by Starck Power Dock' home charger is the answer. This unit, designed by Philippe Starck, uses sustainable materials in its construction, while also looking particularly natty on the wall of your heated, de-moisturised garage.
Anything else?
Adrian Hallmark, the new chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, said while revealing the new SUV at the Geneva show: "The Bentayga Hybrid is our first step on the road to electrification, combining traditional Bentley values with the very latest technologies. 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. 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."