The new Bentley Bentayga Hybrid is a lighter-feel luxury SUV that?s a wonderful mix of refinement and muscle
In the third part of our supercar review series, LUX gets behind the wheel of the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid
If you need an example of how the attributes of heritage luxury car brands have to change in the new world of sustainability and electrification, look no further than Bentley. This is a company that has been making cars that are primarily distinguished by their immensely powerful and vocal petrol engines for more than 100 years. Taking the petrol engines out of Bentleys would be like taking the leather out of a Chesterfield.
This latest model we drove is not electrically powered, but it?s a halfway point. The company?s luxury SUV is typically distinguished by its massive 12-cylinder engine (although there are models available with a V8). Here we have a hybrid version, with a six-cylinder petrol engine accompanied by an electric motor. Follow LUX on Instagram: luxthemagazine
Does it work" That depends: if you?re listening for that V12 ?whoof?, and expecting the distinctive power characteristics ? speed and responsiveness to increase in tandem ? you may be disappointed at first. In fact, the sound is the most notable characteristic of this car, as going from a Bentley V12 to this is rather like going from wild to farmed beluga. Still good, but not what you?re used to. But, given that in a few short years no engine will make any sound at all apart from a faint...