Is this really possible?
If you’re in the market for a new Bentley Bentayga but can’t decide between the new plug-in hybrid version and the conventional V8 model, then perhaps this latest piece of news is for you. The EPA has just released its official ratings for the 2020 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid, which comes to 17/21/19 mpg city/highway/combined when in hybrid mode. In all-electric mode, it’s capable of 18 miles before the 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 combustion engine kicks in. That latter figure is actually a bit better than what Bentley reported a few months ago.
Looking more closely at its highway figures, however, reveals something very interesting. The Bentayga Hybrid’s highway rating fails to beat that of the Bentayga V8, which earned a 23 mpg rating.
In addition, it also has an extra 100 horsepower on tap and sprints from 0 to 60 mph about a second faster. There’s more: the Bentayga V8 has an EPA-rated highway range of 518 miles whereas the Hybrid scored a 430-mile range. The Bentayga Hybrid produces a total of 443 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque while the V8 model has 542 hp and 568 lb-ft.
So aside from offering some all-electric range allowing for zero emissions, the Bentayga Hybrid may not be the best choice for those who truly desire a generally more efficient luxury SUV.
But if you’re looking to save some money, then it should be noted the Bentayga Hybrid offers the less expensive starting price of about $160,000 compared to the V8’s $170,000 base price. Bentley is currently at work developing an all-electric model, due in 2025, though we recently it won’t be an SUV, but rather a fastback-like sedan with a slightly raised ride height.
The bottom line point regarding the Bentayga Hybrid is that while it does achieve the best combined rating of the entire Bentayga family lineup, its highway rating is somewhat of a letdown.
Article Credit: Jay Traugott Full Article: https://carbuzz.com/news/bentley-bentayga-hybrid-isnt-as-efficient-as-the-v8
