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UPDATE 7/28/22: This evaluation has been up to date with take a look at outcomes.
The trickle of electrons at Bentley is quickly to turn into a flood, because the automaker prepares to fully electrify its entire lineup by the end of the decade. Whereas eventual full electrification is a objective shared industry-wide, it is a relatively monumental shift for Bentley, whose popularity has been outlined largely by its huge—and thirsty—engines. Therefore the existence of the Flying Spur Hybrid, a 5754-pound steppingstone positioned between the shores of these gargantuan powertrains and the horizon of whole electrification.
As befits this interim position, visible modifications are stored to a minimal, with solely fender-mounted “Hybrid” badges and a J1772 charging port hid behind a door on the left rear flank. Distinct quad oval tailpipes full the outside transformation. Inside, the infotainment and driver screens now function EV-specific readouts. We had been notably intrigued by the EV Vary overlay perform on the navigation map—a translucent inexperienced zone hovers over the car’s place, outlining the boundaries of electrical driving vary. Because the battery stage drops, the zone shrinks accordingly. On the middle console, an EV button cycles by way of the three electrical drive modes: all-electric EV Drive, Hybrid, and Maintain, which maintains battery cost to be deployed later.
The Flying Spur follows within the footsteps of the Bentayga, which first tiptoed into the hybrid waters again in 2019 as Bentley’s first electrified model. Each make use of plug-in techniques, as the big battery delivers motivation {that a} common hybrid cannot present. Right here, the Flying Spur makes use of a 410-hp model of the company 2.9-liter twin-turbo V-6. It is the primary six-cylinder discovered below the hood of a Bentley sedan in 64 years. A 134-hp electrical motor occupies the house between the engine and eight-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission. With a mixed output of 536 horsepower and 553 pound-feet of torque, the hybrid powertrain delivers numbers on par with its rowdier Flying Spur huge brother’s 542-hp V-8.
In consequence, the hybrid’s efficiency is fairly comparable, regardless of a 280-pound weight drawback. With each motors singing and all 4 wheels pulling, the Flying Spur Hybrid hit 60 mph in 3.9 seconds and lined the quarter-mile in 12.3 seconds at 114 mph. (We recorded a 3.5-second time for the Flying Spur V-8, together with a 12.0-second, 115-mph go within the quarter.) High velocity is proscribed to 177 mph, versus 198 for the V-8. Whereas Bentley emphasizes that the EV system is optimized for city journeys, it additionally touts the hybrid’s means to cruise at speeds as much as 80 mph in EV Drive mode. The EPA reckons that the automotive’s 15.0-kWh battery is sweet for 21 miles of electrical vary. But, electrons carried us for 35 miles on our 75-mph freeway take a look at, after which the hybrid averaged 28 mpg, beating its federal freeway ranking by 6 mpg. Nonetheless, our 25-MPGe measurement total is nicely wanting the hybrid’s official 46-MPGe mixed ranking, which basically signifies we drove extra gasoline-powered miles between plug-ins than an precise proprietor would.
The enjoyment of electrical thrust lies not in its mechanical voice, however within the absence of it. Bentley says that the cabin of the hybrid is 50 % quieter than that of the V-8’s at 50 mph. By itself, the hybrid’s electrical motor produces 295 pound-feet of torque, all of which is offered from a useless cease. It is greater than able to sustaining the massive Bentley’s momentum by way of site visitors. It additionally helps the hybrid put up a 4.7-second run from 5 to 60 mph, which is simply a tenth of second longer than what the V-8 requires. When rolling alongside in EV Drive mode, the Flying Spur Hybrid gives a fabulous glimpse of what an all-electric Bentley may be like.
It is solely if you pattern Hybrid mode that this swish serenity is upended. Prod the accelerator and the V-6 unceremoniously crashes the celebration with 74 decibels of noise at full throttle—1 decibel greater than the V-8. Gruff and guttural, the engine’s unrefined character is in whole distinction to the remainder of the underlying package deal. We discovered its presence to be notably obtrusive when in Maintain mode, droning away continually at what amounted to a heightened idle velocity. Sometimes, the gasoline engine and electrical motor jockeyed for place, leading to a short hiccup as the pc scrambled to make peace between the 2. And a pronounced transition between common and regenerative braking made it troublesome to easily modulate to a cease.
Maintaining the battery charged avoids this morsel of powertrain inelegance. The 7.2-kW onboard charger can totally replenish the battery in three hours, in response to the EPA. We suspect most homeowners will depend on devoted home-charging tools relatively than cool their heels at a public station. That is simply as nicely, because the Flying Spur’s charging-port placement and substantial size make it difficult to squeeze into crowded bays, as we found. Talking of maneuverability, the Spur’s rear-wheel steering and the 48-volt energetic anti-roll bars should not on the choices listing, as the majority of the hybrid parts now occupy the house usually reserved for them.
In consequence, you are feeling each little bit of the 125.8-inch wheelbase going by way of turns. When navigating twisty, difficult roads, we found that the hybrid was happiest with a extra deliberate nook entry. Regardless of the dearth of the energetic anti-roll system, the remainder of the chassis nonetheless retains the Flying Spur’s inconceivable sense of dexterity, due to the three-chamber air suspension and adaptive dampers. Driving on 22-inch Pirelli P Zero PZ4 summer season tires, our take a look at automotive posted a stable 0.90 g of grip across the skidpad, together with a good 158-foot cease from 70 mph. For comparability, the lighter V-8 mannequin on its equally sized Pirelli P Zero All Seasons generated 0.94 g of stick but wanted an extra 10 toes to cease from 70 mph. When the highway unwinds, the default Bentley drive mode gives a commendable dynamic stability, although it’s kind of floatier than we would like. Conversely, the dampers in Sport are a tad too uneven. We might foyer for a setting that break up the distinction. Bentley Plus, maybe.
In a current survey of its prospects, Bentley found that roughly half of them expressed curiosity in both buying a PHEV or EV car. However at this juncture, the hybrid model of the Flying Spur is lacking these few key traits that make the gas-powered variants so delightfully partaking. For these early adopters, nonetheless, the hybrid’s tough edges may be a tolerable tradeoff.
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