Luxurious model Bentley’s transition to an all-electric line-up begins in Australia in November when its first plug-in hybrid EV arrives.
The Flying Spur plug-in hybrid sedan, priced from $479,100 (plus on-road prices), shall be adopted inside 12 months by a PHEV version of the Bentayga SUV.
PHEV variations of the Continental GT and GTC coupe and convertibles ought to be in Australia by mid-decade.
The model’s first battery electrical car shall be revealed globally in 2025 and be on-sale in 2026. 5 EVs are deliberate for launch in 5 years beneath the Past 100 plan.
In 2026 the Bentley inside combustion line-up may also be pared again to function solely PHEVs, which means the demise of the W12 and V8 petrol-turbo engines that at present dominate the mannequin line-up.
In 2030 Bentley will finish ICE manufacturing all collectively and only make EVs.
Each the Flying Spur and Bentayga Hybrids use Volkswagen Group powertrains, though they’re totally different programs.
The Flying Spur is powered by a 306kW twin turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 engine and 100kW e-motor that makes a mixed 400kW and 750Nm.
An 18.0kWh battery helps an electric-only vary past 40km, whereas the mixed gas consumption vary is a really un-Bentley 3.3L/100km.
The Bentayga is powered by a 250kW 3.0-litre single turbo V6 mixed with a 100kW e-motor to make 340kW (torque was 700Nm however hasn’t been specified for the MY23 replace).
An 18kWh battery pack helps a 43km vary and the claimed common gas consumption price is 3.4L/100km.
“As an organization we have now determined we wish to go full electrical by 2030 so that is our first development,” Bentley APAC advertising chief Calista Tambajong stated of the Flying Spur hybrid. “So from us we’re undoubtedly pushing it.
“However there are exterior components as effectively. In some international locations there are higher incentives for folks to drive hybrid and electrical flies lots quicker [there] than the opposite [countries].
“Perhaps Australia just isn’t the strongest in the mean time, however we as an organization will certainly are available and try to assist it as a result of in some unspecified time in the future with our five-in-five plan we are going to solely have hybrids after which going into electrical automobiles.
“So we have now to do it.”
It appears clear that Bentley’s Australian line-up is prone to retain the W12 and V8 so long as potential after which retain the petrol-electric hybrids till the top of manufacturing.
That’s in distinction to some markets that may drop the ICE drivetrains sooner as a result of EVs are being embraced extra enthusiastically by consumers and lawmakers.
Bentley world senior government Paul Dickinson instructed EVcentral the transition to EV would no dilute the attraction Bentley’s millionaire and billionaire purchaser base would have for the model.
“They’re very enthusiastic about the way forward for Bentley,” he stated. “There’s a common acceptance the world is transferring on and the long run must be electrical.
“I believe what they like is that Bentley has come out now and made it clear the place we’re heading and in what timeframe. We are attempting to steer moderately than observe.
“You possibly can say we aren’t as fast Tesla as a result of they’re purely electrical, however if you happen to take a look at the established manufacturers we’re very open the place our plan is.”
