Bentley Bentayga Hybrid test: luxurious, comfortable and efficient?

Today we are not going to test its most provisional version, which is accompanied by a W12 engine, nor the most veteran of the range, nor the most oriented to sports driving.The travel partner we have with us on this day is called Bentley Bentayga Hybrid, so that we are facing the most efficient representation of the luxurious British SUV, a vehicle that has recently been renewed to try to conquer all those pockets to which they do notThey care to pay a significant amount of money in exchange for enjoying comfortable and relaxed trips wrapped in an atmosphere of opulence.Is this plug -in hybrid version as efficient as it promises?Let's discover it.

Newly updated

Set on the MLB Evo platform of the Volkswagen Group, the same as the Audi Q7, Lamborghini Urus, Porsche Cayenne or VW Touareg, Bentley's first SUVA vehicle that measures 5.14 meters long by 1.99 wide and 1.72 high, with a wheelbase of 2.99 meters.The rear route has gained 20 millimeters, while its pneumatic suspension and variable hardness shock absorbers are preserved, as well as active stabilizer bars fed by a 48 volt electric network.

The update proposed by Bentley does not introduce great changes in aesthetics, since anyone could distinguish this car as a Bentayga, although that does not prevent some new invoice elements such as, for example, the front optical groups, which, whichThey presume 82 LEDs in each lighthouse, its spectacular chromed -looking front grill and more striking front bumpers, which include different air intakes both in the central and side.But, without a doubt, the most important change is found in the rear in the form of an gate that now covers the entire width of the vehicle, as well as some oval pilots.The tires, meanwhile, are 21 inches and are accompanied by some winter Pirelli tires in 285/45 measures on both axes.

Waste of handicrafts and quality

With the doors inside the Bentayga waste quality and crafts for every corner and its splash now presents the occasional important change in the central area since the ventilation outlets are no longer round, the characteristic clock, signed by Breitling, is also different, is also different,while the multimedia system is completely new.This is based on a 10.9 -inch touch screen that offers a quick response and a high resolution, with a navigation system that offers satellite images.In addition, those users who have a smartphone with Android system can already connect it to their Bentayga, with cable yes, while connectivity with Apple Carplay is wireless.

The controller controls also change and the same goes for decorative materials, doors panels and a completely digital reading instrument box.The steering wheel seems wonderful for both its design and the thickness of the hoop, while the seats collect the body remarkably and offer a high degree of comfort.It should also be noted that practically all surfaces are upholstered with high quality leather and what to say about these sheep leather carpets, simply spectacular, although yes, very easy to dirty.

Already in the rear seats we find comfortable ventilated seats that offer greater regulation, again the leather makes an appearance and the space we have for the legs increases by up to 10 centimeters depending on the position of the seat.As can be seen, I have a good margin from the roof to my head and the same happens when traveling with other occupants, because the 2 meters of width of the vehicle are noticed, and much.In the central console we have two USB shots of type C, aerators and a five -inch screen from which some functions of the multimedia equipment can be handled or consult information about the trip.

The trunk of this hybrid version offers 480 liters of capacity, expandable up to 1,770 if the posterior seats are dejected.We enjoy a generous space, with uniform surfaces and with the possibility of lowering the height of the vehicle to facilitate the work when loading packages, but we did not like the fact that the load cables do not have a specific sectionTo save them since their presence subtracts an important space, although not as large as the one occupied by a spare wheel that does not enjoy a place for storage, so that we will have to take it next to the aforementioned completely exposed cargo briefcases.

Rod refined

We have already commented that this is not the most dynamic version of the range, a title that corresponds to Bentayga S, but that does not remove so that this 2.6 tons SUV arranges them significantly to deal with both the lines and the curves.On a fast road, the excellent soundproofing work carried out by the English brand comes out, with a very prominent march comfort and an outstanding rolling quality, ingredients that one would like to face long road trips.In stirred sections, the English SUV relies on both the adaptive suspension and in its active stabilizer bars to camouflage all that weight quite well, although inertia are always present if one practices sports driving.However, this variant has not been designed to prioritize dynamism but efficiency.

That is responsible for a propulsion system that is composed of a thermal gasoline and another electric motor.The first is a turbocharged 3.0 -liter V6, which develops 340 horsepower and a maximum torque of 450 nm, but that upon receiving the help of the synchronous unit of permanent magnets and 94 kW experiences a notable improvement in their figures because it passes toDevelop 449 hp and 700 nm.In practice that translates into a mechanic that allows us to circulate very calm as long as we are not incisive with the accelerator, but when we are we receive a fairly forceful response that is accompanied by a very pleasant sound of the V6.The engine feels very full in the entire range, pushing with a lot of determination from below and only if we are cautious with the right foot we will get more or less reasonable consumption.

In this sense, it is vitally important to have the battery loaded, since otherwise it will be quite common to find figures close to 12 liters per 100 kilometers, and that without being very demanding with the accelerator.Both in this car and in most hybrid vehicles, it seems essential to have a charger either at home or at work where our Bentayga can be connected to be able to cover everyday displacements taking full advantage of the electrical energy of the ion battery packageof lithium.If not, it would not make much sense to opt for this version since it adds weight, it subtracts a trunk and its consumption will not be very far from the V8.

Both in this variant and in this hybrid the gearbox used is eight -speed automatic torque converter.It distributes all the energy between the two axes and its response varies depending on the chosen driving mode, obtaining its maximum benefits in the Sport program because the gear changes are produced to a higher regime and that is when we discover that the orders received byThe cams located after the steering wheel are not complied directly, but a few moments transcend until they materialize.This only happens when we ask the maximum of Bentayga Hybrid, so in a quiet driving or at a high pace, but without reaching the limit, his work is very remarkable, full of softness.

The other great protagonist of the propulsion system of this model is a lithium -ion battery with a capacity of 17.3 kWh, located in the rear of Bentayga.It can be completely recharged in about two and a half hours, as long as it is worked with loading powers of 7.2 kW, which is the maximum that the car on board the car admits, and the maximum autonomy it provides is 40 kilometers, although in practice the occasional kilometer is lost along the way.If the driver sees that his load level is insufficient, he can activate the Sport mode to replace it at the expense, yes, to consume a plus of fuel.

¿Una compra acertada?

By strange that it may seem, driving a Bentley has nothing special, at least in this case, beyond all that luxury inherent in the brand that cannot be despised and an aesthetic that manages to twist heads in each street and only silenceof march of your hybrid system manages to hide our presence.After all, we are facing a version in which dynamism does not prevail, but efficiency, although that does not prevent this vehicleWonders to camouflage its more than 2.5 tons full of opulence.Its price will make some look towards the competition, and we would understand it perfectly, although of course, they will not be able to presume to have a Bentley in their garage.

After completing our test it is clear that the Bentley Bentayga Hybrid can be very interesting as longRelatively low with outstanding levels of luxury and comfort, without neglecting benefits.Otherwise, this plug -in hybrid version would lose its grace and the most sensible thing would be to think about the rest of the family options.Although of course, if you are willing to pay 201,000 euros from which this variant part, are you going to worry about consumption?