Bentley Motors was founded in 1919 and has grown to become one of the world’s most beloved luxury car brands. The 2020 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid represents a distinct, albeit perhaps expected new direction for a company with a long, storied history.
In what has been called the year of the luxury electric vehicle, it’s not all that surprising that Bentley has decided to throw its hat into the ring. They join Mercedes-Benz (EQC), Audi (E-Tron GT, E-Tron SUV), Porsche (Taycan), Lamborghini (Terzo Milllenio), Jaguar (I-Pace), Rivian (R1S, and Ferrari (SF90 Stradale) in the race to produce the world’s top electric vehicles in 2019.
A Bold Step Towards an Electric Future
The Bentayga is the first hybrid electric vehicle Bentley has produced, though it seems it most certainly will not be the last. The company has publicly announced that it plans to produce hybrid variants of all its cars by 2023, with its first ever battery-electric car currently slated to arrive in 2025.
Bentley, like many other producers of large, luxurious automobiles which traditionally were powered by V8 and W12 engines are headed into this new territory to meet consumer demand and stay ahead of legislation targeting reductions in CO2 emissions.
Adrian Hallmark, new Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bentley Motors, said: “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.”
He continues:“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.”
Elegant, Efficient, Innovative
The all-new 2020 Bentley Bentayga is built using Porsche’s plug-in hybrid powertrain and its big step up from the former model’s gas guzzling V8. The previous edition of this large SUV was able to manage a quite meager EPA-rated 14/23/17 miles per gallon in the city, highway, and combined. Not different from many of the largest SUVs from the former generation of automotive excess.
The new Bentayga Hybrid is said to be 200% more fuel efficient than its predecessors. It’s 2.9-liter turbocharges V6 with permanent magnet synchronous motor manages a thrilling 443 HP with 516 lb-ft of torque. It also features a 17-kW-hr battery which allows it to attain an all-electric range of 16 miles.
While this is nothing dramatic, it is important to note that the Bentayga’s Hybrid drive mode, the centerpiece here allows it to climb up to an EPA rated 50 mph fuel economy target. It also features a special Hold mode which allows it to legally drive in areas with extremely tough low-emission regulations such as parts of Western Europe and Asia.
Keep Your Eye on the 2020 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid
While these boosts in fuel economy are timely and significant no doubt, many consumers will find themselves wondering if they also mean a clear sacrifice in driving performance and all-around utility. The answer seems to be: not very much.
The 2020 Bentayga can manage a 0-60 acceleration in 5.2 seconds. While this is definitely slower than the previous model’s 4.4 seconds, it’s not really that big of a difference in the grand scheme, especially when the fuel economy improvements are considered.
With a common Level 2 charger and a totally depleted electric battery reserve, this SUV is expected to be able to attain a full charge in about two hours. Of course, because this is a hybrid and still uses gasoline, you could always just keep driving it as well. This hybrid EV SUV does feature an on-board 7.2-kW charger which makes it quicker to boost than many other plug-in hybrid EVs.
Timeless Luxury, Modern Execution
The hybrid powertrain in the Bentley Bentayga is significantly more innovative than one might expect for a company just entering the fertile waters of EVs. With power given to all-wheels, this more than 5,800 pound SUV has more than enough electrically derived juice to get moving quickly without even engaging its V6 engine at all.
That electric motor is capable of 126 HP and 258 lb-ft of torque. Combined with the engine, the result is an incredibly nimble hybrid which produces a driving sensation a bit akin to 1+1 equaling 3. It’s important to note that like many other Bentley’s and certainly most other EV’s, the 2020 Bentyaga is whisper quiet even while being pushed near the redline.
On the inside, the Bentayga is every bit as elegant and refined as you would expect from any car bearing the storied badge of one of England’s most beloved luxury brands. This is a very high end SUV that looks and feels every bit as classy as one would hope. Bentley clearly did not skimp when it came to designing this SUV and that’s why its such an exciting entry into the increasingly crowded race to produce the best luxury electric vehicles in the world.
Priced at a generous MSRP of $159,625, the 2020 Bentley Bentayga becomes the new, least expensive car produced by the brand. Set to arrive in late 2019, this looks to be a very exciting new electric vehicle and one that might be able to satisfy consumers until the new Bentley flagship EV arrives in 2025.
Source: Bentley