New Bentley Bentayga Hybrid available to order in the UK now

The new Bentley Bentayga Hybrid is now available to order in the UK and Europe. Like its predecessor, it rivals other luxury plug-in hybrid SUVs like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S E-Hybrid, Range Rover PHEV P400e and Volvo XC90 Recharge. 

Power comes from a 3.0-litre V6 petrol engine and an electric motor that combined produces 443bhp and 700Nm of torque. The Bentayga Hybrid is also capable of driving 25 miles on pure-electric power, thanks to a 17.3kWh battery that provides electric power and can be charged in two-and-a-half hours according to Bentley, although no official charging speed is given. 

There are three main driving modes: EV Drive, Hybrid and Hold. These perform the usual functions of allowing for pure-electric running (at up to 84mph), automatic shifting between petrol and electric power, or holding onto the battery's charge until it's needed later in a journey.

In EV Drive mode, the Bentayga's accelerator pedal has a pressure point that lets you feel where the switchover point to petrol power is. Bentley says that this encourages the driver to use electric power as much as possible.

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The Bentayga range received a facelift in 2020. This included revised styling more in line with the latest Continental GT, with a new grille, smaller headlights and oval tail-lights. Inside, the Bentayga Hybrid features the same revised dashboard as the rest of the range, plus a 10.9-inch infotainment screen that supports Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.

The options list is as long as you would expect, with Bentley's usual focus on bespoke customisation. A huge array of leather colours and wood trim is available, along with a choice of a four or five-seat layout. The Bentayga Hybrid is also available in multiple specifications, including 'Touring' which includes adaptive cruise control, head-up display and safety systems like lane-keeping and traffic-jam assist.

Bentley says the Bentayga Hybrid will start at the same price as petrol-V8 models, but expect that figure to quickly increase once you start adding options. A Bentley-branded home wallbox is a no-cost option and all cars come with a set of charging cables. A dedicated 'My Bentley' app allows for remote monitoring and control of features like cabin temperature, battery charging and driving data.

The new Bentayga Hybrid is the first of two hybrid Bentleys that will arrive in 2021, the second of which is expected to be announced later this year. It could be an entirely new model, or another electrified version of the current the Continental grand tourer or Flying Spur limousine.