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Bentley expands hybrid lineup to Bentaya S and Azure models

People often joke that buyers of ultra-luxury vehicles from Rolls-Royce and Bentley don’t care about gas prices, but even if thatÂ’s true, a lot of people still may not want to own the rolling embodiment of earthÂ’s impending doom. Rolls-Royce will go all-electric by 2030, and its British rivals at Bentley are hard at work on the brandÂ’s first EV, expected by 2025. In the meantime, the Brits at Bentley have come up with hybrid powertrains, and the automaker recently announced an expansion of hybrid options for its only SUV, the Bentayga. The automaker says that 100 percent of Bentayga Hybrid owners use their SUVs in full electric mode, with half staying within the vehicleÂ’s electric range. The Bentayga S and Azure are now available with hybrid powertrains, meaning half of BentleyÂ’s lineup is electrified. Rather than focusing solely on improving efficiency, Bentley implemented a plug-in hybrid system that offers up to 27 all-electric miles of range, a 6-percent surge in power, and a 15-percent improvement in torque. The Bentayga S Hybrid, for example, delivers 455 horsepower. All Bentaygas get almost 300 pound-feet of torque just from the electric motor. All Bentayga hybrids come with a 3.0-liter V6, and Bentley says that the S Hybrid can reach 62 mph (100 km/h) from a standstill in 5.3 seconds. The SUV got 15-percent stiffer dampers that shift damping force based on the selected drive mode, and Bentley says a new Hybrid Sports Exhaust “brings a stirring symphony of sound within the cabin.” It sounds a lot like fake engine noises to us, and Bentley notes that the sounds can be adjusted differently for front and rear passengers. The Bentayga Azure Hybrid is a more luxury-focused variant that features intense noise-canceling technologies and unique interior touches to improve comfort and a sense of well-being. The Azure is up to 26-percent quieter than its rivals on the road, and Bentley says it tuned the SUV to deliver 27 percent fewer vibrations. Buyers can choose from 15 different interior materials and color combinations, and 22-inch 10-spoke wheels come standard.

Bentley's Bentayga Mulliner takes two-tone to a new level of excess

Because a normal Bentayga just isn't enough for some people, Bentley revealed its most exclusive SUV yet, the Bentayga Mulliner. Now this isn't a wild custom model like the Mulsanne Grand Limousine by Mulliner. Rather, this is like past special-edition Mulliner cars including the standard-length Mulsanne, and the Continental GT, which featured some unique trim and detail touches. Immediately apparent is the two-tone paint scheme. This is a new option that will be introduced on the Bentayga Mulliner, but will trickle down to the rest of the lineup this April. In addition, this special Bentayga comes with exclusive 22-inch wheels with floating centers to keep the badge upright, a la Rolls-Royce wheels. Bentley also adds unique badging and standard color-coordinated lower body extensions, while the lower grilles are finished in chrome. The car that will be on display at the Geneva show will feature a special marquetry inlay up front showing the Monte Rosa mountain range. The two-tone scheme of the exterior is continued inside, with the front and rear seats upholstered in different colors of leather. In the Bentayga above, black leather covers the front seats while the rears are done in an ivory-colored hide. The seats all feature two colors of contrast stitching, as well. Even the wood veneers are finished in an exclusive dual tone. On the dash, the wood is completely black, but along the front doors, it fades to a natural finish that is continued on the rear doors. Breaking from the obsession with multiple colors, the Bentayga Mulliner also features a wine bottle cooler and crystal champagne flutes. You could put rose in one if you're really not into matching, though. If even these upgrades don't do it for you, there are a couple other special options available. Bentley offers the Linley Hamper by Mulliner, which is a pretty serious picnic basket featuring Linley china and silverware, as well as a refrigerator. This special Bentayga can also be ordered with the Mulliner Tourbillon automatic clock by Breitling, which the BBC reports was a $160,000 option when introduced during the SUV's debut. Bentley will begin taking orders this spring, though pricing for the SUV was not released. Expect it to cost a good chunk more than the standard model's $229,100 base price. Related Video:

Bentley Batur Convertible is a coachbuilt, W12-powered stunner

Remember the Bentley Batur from a couple of years ago? Well, it’s back, but this time itÂ’s without a roof, so allow us to introduce you to the Bentley Batur Convertible. Many of the details are similar to the coupe, meaning it has an uprated twin-turbo W12 engine and is a coachbuilt car by BentleyÂ’s Mulliner division. Unlike the Continental GTC that can seat four, the Batur Convertible is only a two-seater, eschewing the rear seats for a gorgeous “airbridge” behind the front two seats – itÂ’s meant to remind of roofless sports cars of old. Plus, if you look underneath the airbridge and tapered cowls, youÂ’ll notice it offers a little bit of storage space for luggage to augment the trunk. The W12 engine under its long hood is more potent than most of BentleyÂ’s W12-powered cars thanks to a revised intake, upgraded turbochargers, new intercoolers, titanium exhaust and a unique engine tune, bringing output to 740 horsepower and 738 pound-feet of torque. This particular reveal car (car number 0) is an engineering development vehicle so wonÂ’t be counted toward the 16 Bentley plans to build. Customization options are truly limitless, Bentley says. The one youÂ’re looking at here is finished in Vermillion Gloss over Vermillion Satin Duo, or in other words, orange. YouÂ’ll notice it features BentleyÂ’s ombre effect front grille option that flows from a dark color to the bright Vermillion Gloss as the grille traverses from the center to its edges. An added splash of sportiness is visible with its carbon fiber front splitters, side skirts and rear diffuser. And those 22-inch wheels with Vermillion accents look fantastic, too. Its interior features limitless customization options, and Bentley says its design is inspired by the wraparound interior seen in the Bacalar. ItÂ’s revealed via an electronically operated soft top that goes down in 19 seconds at speeds up to 30 mph. Essentially every surface of the interior is customizable in both color and finish, Bentley says. It highlights the use of 3D-printed rose gold thatÂ’s seen on the engine start/stop buttons, drive mode selector, vent controls and as an insert on the steering wheel itself. In case you were curious, the gold comes from the centuries-old Jewelry Quarter of Birmingham, England. Bentley didnÂ’t say whether the Batur Convertible is sold out yet, but we suspect it could be considering only 16 slots are available.