Bentley Continental GT And Flying Spur Acquire ‘Base’ PHEV Fashions With 671 HP And 50 Miles Of EV Vary

Now is a superb time to be an ultra-rich automobile fanatic. When cash isn’t any object, it is clear to see that we’re on the pinnacle of the inner combustion engine, whether or not it’s the sole supply of power or whether or not it is assisted by a little bit of electrical energy. Even probably the most change-resistant automobile ever, the Porsche 911, is accessible with a 532-horsepower hybrid powertrain in the event you can afford its $172,000 beginning value. Final 12 months Bentley, Britain’s second-snootiest automaker, launched some big-buck hybrids to its present automobile portfolio with the psychological Flying Spur Velocity and Continental GT Velocity fashions, which changed the previous W12 with a plug-in-hybrid V8 powertrain. Now Bentley has revealed {that a} detuned plug-in hybrid will take the place of the previous nonhybrid V8 fashions within the lineup, however don’t be concerned — it is nonetheless highly effective as hell.

Bentley calls this new setup the Excessive Efficiency Hybrid, in distinction to the Extremely Efficiency Hybrid used within the Velocity (and Mulliner) variations of the Continental and Flying Spur. This “base” powertrain employs a twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, the identical Porsche-derived unit the corporate has used for years, paired with a single electrical motor to supply 671 horsepower and 685 pound-feet of torque. Whereas that is down from the huge 771 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of the Speeds, it is a rise of 129 hp and 117 lb-ft over the outgoing entry-level V8 fashions.

Introducing the plug-in-hybrid V8 setup as the bottom powertrain additionally implies that the most cost effective automobile Bentley now makes is extra highly effective than the outgoing W12 Velocity fashions, with 21 extra horsepower and 21 extra lb-ft than these automobiles. They’re additionally simply as fast because the previous ICE-only range-toppers, and quite a bit faster than the fashions they change. The brand new base Continental GT wants simply 3.5 seconds to dash from 0 to 60 mph, the identical because the previous W12 Velocity and half a second faster than the previous V8, whereas the droptop GTC and the four-door Flying Spur take barely longer at a nonetheless un-base-model-like 3.8 seconds, which examine equally to their predecessors. Within the 0-to-60 dash the brand new fashions are simply 4 tenths behind the PHEV Continental GT Velocity and 5 tenths behind the PHEV Flying Spur Velocity, too.

The primary distinction between the bottom Excessive Efficiency Hybrid and the Velocity fashions’ Extremely Efficiency Hybrid setup lies inside the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, since each fashions share a battery capability of 25.9 kWh and the 187-hp electrical motor sitting contained in the 8-speed transmission. The inner combustion engine within the Excessive Efficiency Hybrid produces 512 horsepower, so there’s by no means a scarcity of energy, however the Speeds’ V8 makes 592 hp by itself. Bentley says the Continental GT coupe is able to an EV-only vary of 53 miles, the Continental GTC convertible can go 51 miles on electrical energy alone, and the Flying Spur manages a good 50 miles, all of which align with the higher-performance model of the powertrain. You additionally do not lose any sportiness by going for one of many entry-level PHEVs, as they get the identical Dynamic Experience energetic anti-roll bar suspension system, rear-wheel steering and digital limited-slip differential that the Velocity has.

You get the Excessive Efficiency Hybrid powertrain on the usual automobiles and the glitzy Azure trim ranges of all three fashions, whereas the Extremely Efficiency Hybrid powertrain is commonplace on lavish Mulliner and sporty Velocity trims. The bottom automobiles take a look of tasteful restraint, with gloss black grilles and no shouty brightwork. Azure fashions, in distinction, embody Azure badging, completely different wheel designs, and shiny chrome vanes vertically spanning throughout a gloss black grille with a chrome encompass. Bentley says the Azures “promote wellbeing” by coming commonplace with driving help options, temper lighting, “Concord quilting” on the doorways and seats, and the Bentley Wellness seating, which implies heated, cooled, and massaging seats for all 4 outboard passengers.

Costs have not been introduced simply but, however do not anticipate these new base trim ranges to be wherever close to reasonably priced for the common particular person. Anticipate the beginning costs to be just like the outgoing fashions, which might imply round $250,000 for the Continental GT, $270,000 or so for the GTC, and a extra meager $225,000-ish value for the Flying Spur.

Bentley