Massive, torquey, and clean, the 12-cylinder engine is right for an ultra-luxury cruiser that goals to cocoon passengers in serenity, whereas additionally offering the punch to intimidate extra plebeian automobiles in its path. 

You understand what else is torquey, clean, and whisper quiet? An electrical powertrain. The 2022 Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid represents an interim step alongside the best way to full electrical propulsion with out foregoing conventional Bentley energy and peace.

The transfer to EVs is a part of the Bentley 100 plan, which requires a full electrical lineup by 2030, and the plug-in hybrid Flying Spur Hybrid is the second cease alongside the best way after the 2020 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid.

Bentley invited Motor Authority to Beverly Hills, California, to expertise the Flying Spur Hybrid in its pure habitat and see if a V-6 hybrid can ship an expertise satisfying sufficient to exchange the V-8 and W-12.

From the beginning, the prospects seemed good. I drove the Bentayga Hybrid two years in the past and located its plug-in hybrid powertrain as much as the duty for the model’s SUV. The Flying Spur Hybrid borrows the hybrid system from the Porsche Panamera 4S E-Hybrid, sandwiching an 134-hp electrical motor between the engine and an 8-speed dual-clutch transmission. The motor is fed by a lithium-ion battery pack mounted beneath the trunk ground with 14.1 kw of usable power.

The engine is a turbocharged 2.9-liter V-6 additionally borrowed from the Panamera. Complete system output is 536 hp and 553 lb-ft of torque, in comparison with 443 hp and 516 lb-ft within the plug-in Bentayga Hybrid, which has a distinct engine, a 3.0-liter V-6.

The Flying Spur Hybrid’s principal power is how little it differs from the V-8 mannequin, which is already quicker than the W-12 model. It begins on the surface, the place the one distinctive styling cues are the hybrid badges on the entrance fenders and the cost port door within the left rear fender.

Three EV-specific drive modes that may be set utilizing a button on the middle console—Hybrid, Sport, and Maintain—signify the largest distinction between the Flying Spur Hybrid and the V-8 mannequin. They aren’t to be confused with the Sport, B (Bentley), Consolation, and Customized common driving modes managed via a knurled metallic dial on the middle console. The Sport E-mode quickens throttle response and truly costs the battery, whereas the principle Sport mode stiffens the dampers, loosens the steadiness management, and provides extra heft to the steering.

In my first 50 miles behind the wheel. I cycled between Hybrid and Sport E-modes, which have completely different goals. When a vacation spot is enter into the navigation system, Hybrid mode makes an attempt to empty the battery as a lot as attainable if you arrive for greatest gasoline financial system. You may then cost up on the vacation spot and let it run effectively once more. Sport mode goals for greatest throttle response, which I most popular to perk up the reactions in a automotive that’s tuned for smoothness as an alternative of jack-rabbit begins. Since I used each modes, I ended up utilizing solely 7 of the unique 29 miles of estimated EV vary and the journey laptop confirmed 21.5 mpg. Complete EV vary hasn’t been rated by the EPA but, however Bentley says it is going to be at the very least 25 miles.

The powertrain makes its greatest energy in Sport mode, and a full-throttle romp will push the 5,600-lb beast from 0-60 mph in a tidy 4.1 seconds. That launch isn’t violent, although. When going arduous off the road or punching it to go, the powertrain eases into the ability then slingshots the automotive ahead, which retains passengers from jerking then heads again whereas nonetheless exhibiting this automotive runs with authority. Even with the engine operating, the Flying Spur blocks out a lot of the surface noise, and the V-6’s subdued growl solely turns into obvious throughout arduous acceleration.

Throughout the subsequent 37 miles, my drive companion ran the automotive in EV mode a lot of the time, utilizing 22 miles of EV vary, earlier than we arrived at our lunch cease and Bentley’s crew recharged the battery. The 14.1-kw battery can take a full cost in 2.5 hours on a Degree 2 (240-volt) outlet via the automotive’s 7.2-kw onboard charging system.

Throughout the subsequent leg, my companion additionally used EV for many of a 50-mile stint, sapping 18 miles of EV vary. I completed off the ultimate 20 or so miles beginning in EV, then switching to Sport, which reclaimed the few miles of EV vary I used initially.

EV mode is essentially the most tranquil technique to drive the Flying Spur Hybrid, nevertheless it additionally offers the automotive about 134 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. That’s sufficient to steadily construct up all the best way to 80 mph or to maintain the automotive happening the freeway, however the engine begins to assist energy with deeper stabs of the throttle. The engine switches on and off seamlessly. When it’s off, about half the cabin noise goes away, in response to Bentley, and that’s a preview of the very serene setting future Bentley EVs will provide.

The battery and its energy electronics have good and dangerous results on stability and dynamics. They add virtually 400 lb to tip the scales at a couple of sandwiches over 5,600 lb, and the area taken up by the battery precludes the set up of rear-axle steering. On a constructive word, the additional rear weight sways the automotive’s weight stability from 53/47 entrance to 48/52 rear, bringing it nearer to an ideal stability and placing extra weight over the rear wheels for higher traction throughout arduous launches.

On the highways and twisty roads between Beverly Hills and Santa Barbara, the Flying Spur Hybrid felt substantial, composed, and controllable, however not fairly agile. The oddly heavy steering grew to become tedious to carry in place throughout a couple of extended freeway arcs, and was in any other case direct although with out a lot really feel. The automotive responded willingly to steering inputs and didn’t undergo from an excessive amount of physique lean because of a regular three-chamber air suspension and adaptive dampers. Nevertheless, it felt each bit its full-size automotive size, a difficulty that might be remedied by rear-axle steering, if solely it might be specified. Even with commonplace 22-inch wheels, although, the trip was at all times clean and isolating. 

Hitting the brake pedal triggers a mixture of regenerative and friction braking. The hand-off between the 2 is generally seamless. Solely a sensitive proper foot will really feel a little bit of pedal drop within the transition.

Bentley positions the Flying Spur Hybrid as extra of a limousine than different variations of its four-door sedan. That’s mirrored within the general tuning. Whereas the suspension tuning doesn’t change from different Flying Spurs, the additional weight means it doesn’t really feel fairly as responsive.

That positioning additionally encourages extra house owners to expertise the Flying Spur’s roomy again seat. Our drive concluded with a cocktail hour on the Sundown Restaurant in Malibu, so Bentley chauffeured us again to the lodge to expertise that rear seat. Like the remainder of the inside, it’s fantastically appointed, with quilted leather-based highlighted with distinction piping and stitching. Head and leg room are plentiful, however the seat bottoms are too quick to supply the thigh help wanted for long-trip consolation. My proper foot and ankle particularly have been fatigued through the hour or so drive again to the lodge. A detachable 5.0-inch touchscreen, sized like a cellular phone, improved the expertise as a novelty that may management the local weather, leisure, lighting, and different features both remotely or set in place within the rear heart console.

Up entrance, the look is identical as another Flying Spur apart from adjustments to the tachometer and the E Mode button on the middle console. Along with measuring revs, the tach’s digital needle sweeps via regen and EV drive sectors to indicate when the engine is on or off and to indicate if the electrical energy is getting used or replenished. An extra circle inside the tach exhibits remaining EV vary, and the middle touchscreen has an power stream graphic that pops up beneath a Hybrid tab.

The cabin is without doubt one of the nice joys of any Bentley. The attractive mixture of leather-based, wooden, and metallic makes driving a Bentley a singular luxurious expertise. No interiors available on the market are as aesthetically pleasing and just a few are constructed to such a excessive commonplace. Selecting the colour palette of the two-tone hides and complementary woods is an integral a part of the possession expertise. Check out the configurator and also you’ll doubtless get misplaced in a match of design euphoria.

The Flying Spur V-8 begins at $198,100 (with out vacation spot or a gas-guzzler tax), and Bentley says the Hybrid will price 3% extra, so pricing ought to be within the $205,000 to $210,000 vary (doubtless with no gas-guzzler tax) when the automotive hits the market this spring.

All informed, my journey lined 165.7 miles. With the cease in between to recharge, my drive companion and I used about 40 miles of EV vary and acquired 25.7 mpg general, in response to the journey laptop. Whereas any given proprietor’s mileage could also be higher or worse relying on how usually they cost, the Flying Spur Hybrid not solely matches the ability of its gas-powered siblings, nevertheless it additionally saves emissions alongside the best way. A plug-in hybrid could also be an interim step on the best way to EVs, nevertheless it’s one.

Bentley paid for lodging and airfare for Motor Authority to get a style of the nice life and convey you this firsthand report.