Bentley Bentayga Hybrid Gets Extra EV Miles And More Trim Grades

Bentley has increased the electric-only driving range of the Bentayga Hybrid and also made the electrified powertrain available to more trim grades in the lineup.

The key tech change is a new 18 kWh battery that doesn’t exactly transform the Bentayga’s zero-emissions capabilities because even in its upgraded form Bentley says it can only deliver up to 27 miles (44 km) of electric driving according to the WLTP cycle. Still, that’s 2 miles (3 km) more than the outgoing car could manage.

The core powertrain ingredients still comprise a 3.0-liter V6 gasoline engine and a single electric motor, but that electric motor now produces 6 percent more power and 15 percent more torque. The motor’s output improves to 134 hp (136 PS) and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm) as a result, boosts the overall powertrain from 443 hp (449 PS) to 456 hp (462 PS), and cuts the 0-62 mph (100 km/h) dash down from 5.5 to 5.3 seconds.

Bentley previously positioned the Hybrid as a standalone model within the Bentayga range but has now extended the availability of the electrified setup to make it an alternative to the twin-turbo V8 on both the sporty S and luxury Azure trim levels.

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S models swap chrome trim for black highlights, feature 22-inch “scythe” wheels, tinted lamp lenses, 15 percent stiffer dampers, and get a sports exhaust that can even be tuned to suit the preferences of front and rear passengers. But buyers with an eye on regal comfort will be better off with the Azure and its 10-spoke, 22-inch wheels, chrome accents, 22-way adjustable chairs, and an interior decked out with open-pore wood.

Bentley says the new hybrid additions to the Bentayga lineup mean that half of the firm’s model range (seven out of 14 cars) is now available with an electrified powertrain, putting it well on its way to 100 percent availability in 2025, the year it will unveil its first full EV.