Bentley Bentayga Hybrid Plugs Into The Future At Geneva

Bentley has unveiled the all-new Bentayga Hybrid, following a leak earlier today.

Billed as the “world’s first luxury hybrid,” the model debuts in Geneva with a plug-in hybrid powertrain that consists of a turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 petrol engine, an electric motor and an undisclosed battery pack. The company wasn’t ready to talk specifics but confirmed the model will have an electric-only range in excess of 31 miles (50 km) and CO2 emissions of 75 g/km.

While Bentley was coy on details, the automaker said the battery can be replenished in as little as 2.5 hours with a high speed charger. Using a standard household outlet triples the time as it takes around 7.5 hours.

Speaking of recharging, Bentley has partnered with designer Philippe Starck to create a bespoke wall charger called the “Power Dock.” Bentley says the charger is a “statement piece” with the “exquisite attention to detail you would expect from both Bentley and Starck.”

To help maximize fuel-efficiency, the Bentayga Hybrid will calculate the optimal usage of its petrol engine and electric motor every time a destination is entered into the navigation system. As Bentley explains, the system will maximize EV usage in the city and reduce the on-board charge to zero as the vehicle reaches its destination.

On the styling front, there isn’t much to report as the hybrid variant is distinguished by subtle tweaks including “Hybrid” badging and unique wheels with copper accents.

Bigger changes occur in the cabin as the crossover has been outfitted with a revised infotainment system and instrument cluster which features hybrid-specific displays. In the latter case, the temperature gauge has been replaced by a battery status dial while the tachometer is replaced by a dial which shows if the model is in EV mode. Designers also installed “Hybrid” tread plates and an E Mode selector with EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode settings.

The Bentayga Hybrid will go up for order in the second half of 2018 and it will only be offered in “selected markets.”