The new course
It is possible to mix the passion for cars, the history of iconic brands with the new – very rigid – emissions and electrification rules? An interesting slice of the future is being shown to us in recent times by Bentley, which has now clearly revealed its strategy for the years to come. That is, the performance interpretation of hybrid technology. To be clear, a path more oriented towards the power units of racing cars than towards the hybrid modules of small cars.
The high-performance hybrid super V8
It’s no coincidence that their new V8 is called “Ultra Performance Hybrid”. In short, we can say that after the adoption of the turbocharger in the 1980s – which was a shock for the most traditional customers – Bentley is now taking a further step forward with “electrocharging”, a powerful hybrid system that will make it the most advanced engine and powerful of the brand’s centenary history.
Over 750 horsepower
Yes, because with over 750 HP of power and an electric range of 80 km, the new hybrid V8 engine will offer sensational performance, overcoming even those of the previous one W12 with 91 HP. And then, while developing four-digit torque over a wide range of use, this engine will also maintain a CO2 emissions value in the WLTP cycle of less than 50 g/km. Translated, it means efficiency never seen before. Obviously, customers often don’t even want to hear about emissions. And, here too, it is no coincidence that a Crewe a lot of work has been done on the character of the new hybrids. Here, we know little, obviously, the engine has yet to debut. But something was anticipated by a video that revealed a surprising sound, with a combination of powerful bass and intriguing roars. We are the opposite of the absolute silence of driving in pure electric mode. Doesn’t this seem like a revolution to you?
Of course, there is the fact that the legendary 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 is retiring. This is why the new V8 Ultra Performance Hybrid will take on the role of flagship engine of the range. And for this reason, Bentley is working hard to give – as we said before – a lot of charm to the engines of the new direction. But if of the successor to the W12 we still know relatively little, instead of the “small” (so to speak…) of the house, i.e. the hybrid V6, we already know a lot because it lives on the Bentayga and, in a revised and corrected version, on the new Flying Spur Hybrid.
The most efficient Bentley in history
And here, the issue of making the hybridization of a terribly fascinating brand is very clear: the new Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid – the second electrified grand tourer in the brand’s range – has been certified as the most efficient and economical Bentley ever given that in approval phase was certified to have an average of emissions of just 75 g/km of CO2.
All this, however, giving the driving dynamics an infinite boost, just as has always been the case with Bentleys: The new powertrain combines a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine with an advanced electric motor, delivering a total power of 544 and 750 Nm of torque, i.e. 95 HP more than the Bentayga Hybrid. This means, in simple terms, that here you fly: large reserves of power, superior torque and rapid response to the accelerator make the sedan a featherweight, with the performance of a true supercar. Much more than the sterile 0-100 achieved in just 4.3 seconds suggests.
Over 800 km of autonomy
From a technical point of view, the electric motor is powered by an 18.0 kWh (usable) lithium-ion battery and can be charged to 100% in just two and a half hours (depending on the type of column). Then, the electronics convert the energy stored in the high-voltage battery to power the electric motor or supplement the vehicle’s existing 12V electrical infrastructure. So the combination of a highly efficient engine and an advanced electric motor offers the same flexibility and convenience associated with W12 and V8 powertrains much loved by customers, but also something never seen before on a Bentley: the ability to travel over 800 km on a full tank. An interesting flip side of the Flying Spur Hybrid, the most efficient Bentley ever built.
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