Bentley has revealed its Flying Spur Hybrid, the latest model in its luxury range, choosing the spectacular Macallan distillery as its launch venue.
The most environmentally-friendly Bentley to date, the Flying Spur Hybrid takes the exceptional saloon car as its base and replaces the powerful petrol engines with a downsized unit matched to an electric motor.
Not that you’ll be able to tell from the outside; the differences are limited to a discreet ‘hybrid’ badge on the car, and an extra flap for an electric charging port.
Hybrid Power and Performance
Downsizing is relative, as there’s still a 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine under the bonnet. This produces 416hp but is aided by a powerful electric motor that adds an extra 136hp, bringing the total available to a heady 544hp – almost 100h more than you’ll find in the Bentayga Hybrid.
The combination of a high-torque electric motor and a powerful petrol engine ensures both efficiency and flexibility, with the hybrid giving away little to the V8 or W12 power usually found in the Flying Spur.
Picking up the slack when under heavy load, as well as powering the car entirely when possible, the electric motor’s 400Nm of torque which translates to vigorous and silent acceleration. All that is available instantly, avoiding any delays from turbo lag, and creating quite a zesty sensation.
Push hard, and both the engine and motor combine to thrust the Flying Spur to 62mph in just 4.3 seconds, barely the blink of an eye slower than the Flying Spur W12 model. Keep going, and it’ll continue until it reaches 177mph.
Flying Spur Hybrid Efficiency
The electric motor is powered by a compact 14.1kWh lithium-ion battery pack, which should be enough to power the Flying Spur for 25 miles or so. For those covering short journeys, there’s a good chance you’ll never create any tailpipe emissions, making the Flying Spur Hybrid ideally suited to urban areas.
A control for the three E Modes — EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode — enables the driver to manage the battery usage during a journey. EV Drive mode is engaged as soon as the car is switched on and maximises the electric driving experience. This is ideal for city driving and shorter journeys.
Once on the open road, of course, petrol power will kick in (still aided by the electric motor and energy captured during braking) and keep you travelling for more than 435 miles.
The result is lower emissions and improved economy, although these are currently pending certification. Bentley promises that the Flying Spur Hybrid will be the most efficient model in its range.
The Bentley100 Sustainability Plan
The introduction of the Flying Spur Hybrid establishes a family of Bentley hybrids for the first time, emphasising Bentley’s commitment to its Beyond100 strategy to become an end-to-end carbon-neutral organisation and the world’s leading sustainable luxury mobility company.
One of the first steps will be to see every model in the range electrified by 2026. Earlier than that, Bentley intends to offer an electric option for every model range, be that pure electric or plug-in hybrid, by 2023. Looking further ahead, there’ll only be pure-electric power available from 2030.
The brand’s first pure electric car is expected in 2025, which Bentley says will be carbon neutral from cradle to grave.
By that time, Bentley also intends to reduce the environmental impact of its factory by 75%, focusing on energy consumption, CO2 emissions, wastewater, use of solvents in the paint process and becoming plastic neutral.
By 2030, this will extend to creating a climate-positive facility, actively reducing levels of carbon in the atmosphere, while in parallel, the business invests in renewable energy and forestation projects.
“Since 1919, Bentley has defined luxury grand touring,” explained Adrian Hallmark, Bently CEO. “Being at the forefront of progress is part of our DNA – the original Bentley Boys were pioneers and leaders. Now, as we look Beyond100, we will continue to lead by reinventing the company and becoming the world’s benchmark luxury car business.
“Driving this change includes, and also goes beyond our products, delivering a paradigm shift throughout our business, with credibility, authenticity, and integrity. Within a decade, Bentley will transform from a 100-year-old luxury car company to a new, sustainable, wholly ethical role model for luxury.”
Bentley x Macallan
If you’re wondering where The Macallan comes into this process, you’re not alone.
A luxury British car brand and a world-renowned single malt whisky distillery is an unlikely partnership, but both firms major in sustainability, with bold plans to leave as little of a mark on the planet as possible.
Launching the Flying Spur Hybrid at Macallan’s Speyside estate isn’t just a superficial aligning of brand values for marketing purposes, but rather the first baby steps in a long-term partnership.
“I’m delighted to be working with The Macallan on one common goal – to both lead our fields as we work towards a more sustainable future,” added Adrian Hallmark.
The first visible collaboration will be a pair of hybrid-powered Bentley vehicles arriving at the Speyside distillery, ready to transport guests around the estate. By 2025, the distillery’s entire fleet will be fully electric.
Beyond that, both Macalland Bentley are currently a little vague.
“Our collaboration presents a remarkable opportunity to compare our time-earned knowledge and learn from each other,” explained Igor Boyadjian, The Macallan managing director. “We will generate fresh and contemporary thinking around our consumer engagement, our exceptional experiences, and ultimately our products.
“A key focus of the partnership will be our commitment to a more sustainable future. The breath-taking natural landscape at The Macallan Estate provides the perfect platform for us to embark together on this exciting and extraordinary journey.”
Bentley CEO, Adrian Hallmark, added: “I’m delighted to be working with The Macallan with one common goal – to both lead our fields as we work towards a more sustainable future.
“We will learn from each other in the coming months and years to advance our programmes together, and on the way work on some truly extraordinary experiences, projects and products. Our brands are two that share the same ethos – the passion for exceptional quality, a respect for artisanal handcraftsmanship, and now a drive towards genuine, world-leading sustainability. I’m looking forward to the adventure together.”
While we await more details on what the two brands plan, expect a bottle of Bentley-branded Macallan whisky to appear sooner rather than later.
