The Bentley Bentayga may be shaping up into the world's most expensive SUV,->ke145 but the British are planning to make it more than just a powerful and luxurious family hauler that will cost in excess of $200,000. Bentley is aware that even rich SUV customers are concerned about fuel economy, and apparently is considering making the Bentayga the company's first vehicle to receive a diesel engine. That's the word from British publication Auto Express, which quoted Bentley CEO Wolfgang Schreiber.
"We are definitely investigating a diesel engine. It will fit anyway into the platform we are using, so it could make sense to do it," Schreiber said. Although that's far from being an official confirmation, a diesel-powered Bentayga would make sense in certain markets and finding the right diesel for the massive SUV would be easy. Bentley has access to Audi's->ke14 updated 4.2-liter V-8, a diesel powerplant that's set to find its way into the second-generation Audi Q7. Since the two SUVs already share Volkswagen's->ke94 lightweight aluminum platform, adding the diesel would require little investment on Bentley's part.
In addition to the 4.2-liter V-8 diesel, the Bentayga may also feature a hybrid drivetrain, yet another first for Bentley. Although details as to what gasoline-hybrid combo will find its way into the SUV are scarce, Bentley is likely to borrow the powertrain of the upcoming Q7 plug-in hybrid.
Continue reading to learn more about the Bentley Bentayga.
Why it matters
With most automakers moving toward reducing fuel consumption and carbon-dioxide emissions, it's time for Bentley to start considering building greener vehicles too, and the Bentayga seems like the ideal candidate for both hybrid and diesel powertrains. Moreover, such offerings would enable the Bentayga to offer a range of SUVs, and not just a gas-guzzler that stands out simply by being more expensive than a Porsche 911 Turbo S. Schreiber might have stopped short of confirming the existence of a diesel Bentayga on Bentley's drawing board, but plans are likely underway if Bentley is going to continue to rely on the massive 6.0-liter W-12 for its other vehicles. Bentley needs to lower its carbon footprint sooner than later.