Like almost all other brands, Bentley, the luxury brand from Crewe, UK, will go electric by the end of the decade. Until pure electric models come, there will initially be a plug-in hybrid version of every vehicle. The redesigned Bentayga Hybrid in particular is supposed to bring volume by attracting new customers around the world.
The Bentayga, on the same platform as the VW Touareg, Audi Q7 / Q8 or Porsche Cayenne, is a true success model for Bentley. But it was precisely the bulky rear end that caused discussions among many customers at the market launch, and after the facelift, the SUV colossus from Crewe is much more worth seeing. The only problem is that the deliveries of the hybrid version presented in 2019 were delayed and the model with plug only rolled to customers when the revised Bentayga with the powerful eight and twelve-cylinder engines was already in the starting blocks. With a delay, the plug-in hybrids are now also available in the new, significantly more stylish form of the front and especially the rear. Nothing worth mentioning has happened inside. Here the Briton is still a show – spectacular workmanship, noble ambience. This distinguishes a 160,000 Euro Bentayga from a similarly motorized Audi Q8 PHEV or even a VW Touareg Hybrid.
Technically, on the other hand, not too much has changed, because the drive remained almost the same and, in addition to the chic design, there is a little more electric range. After around 20 percent of the Bentayga versions were initially equipped with the V6 hybrid, the share of sales in China alone has recently grown to almost 45 percent, which should increase with the increase in range. The previous Bentley Bentayga Hybrid not only had the flaw that it was powered solely by a V6 engine, but also had an extremely narrow electric range. Even after the facelift, the plug-in hybrid is powered by the well-known three-liter V6 turbo engine, which is supported by a 94 kW / 128 hp electric motor, which with its 350 Nm torque is hidden in the transmission tunnel. Together, both engines produce 449 hp and a maximum torque of 700 Nm maximum torque and are therefore only slightly behind the performance data of the VW Touareg R, Audi Q8 / Porsche Cayenne PHEV, which produce 462 hp and can travel more than 50 kilometers purely electrically.
With the three-liter six-cylinder turbo, the 2.6-ton off-road vehicle is well motorized; However, no thought of the sovereignty and sportiness of the V8 and W12 models that produce 550 and 635 hp respectively. With a charged battery, the all-wheel drive has a good punch when the 250 kW / 340 PS strong internal combustion engine is supported by the 128 PS strong electric motor during the acceleration process. The electric motor of the Flying Spur limousine is almost 100 hp more powerful. If the battery pack is empty, it becomes tough and tedious. From a standing start, the noble all-wheel drive accelerates to 100 km / h in 5.5 seconds with the power of two hearts and creates a top speed of 254 km / h. However, many customers are likely to be more interested in the fact that the Bentayga Hybrid can also cover shorter distances purely electrically. The standard consumption: less than three liters of super per 100 kilometers.
In normal driving mode, the 5.14 meter long Bentley Bentayga Hybrid whispers almost silently across the road – depending on the mode selected, purely electric, with battery hold function or in automatic hybrid mode. The lithium-ion battery installed in the rear consists of 104 prismatic cells, which are distributed over 13 modules. The battery system under the loading floor provides 17.9 kWh of energy for this purpose, which can be recharged in around two and a half hours with a maximum output of 7.4 kilowatts.
The increase in electric range is more than manageable compared to its predecessor at around 40 kilometers. Competitive models from BMW or Mercedes already double the electric range without having to recharge. The total range of the combustion engine and electric motor increased to almost 700 kilometers according to the current consumption cycle – that is almost the level of the much loved Bentayga V8 diesel, which also delighted with a huge torque of 900 Nm. Like its brothers, the version with a plug is optionally available as a four or five-seater and can be personalized with a large selection of optional equipment such as Blackline and styling packages. However, they all offer limitless comfort, even if the space for a luxury SUV of this league costing more than 160,000 euros could be more opulent, especially in the rear.
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