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2021 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid revealed with tech improvements, same powertrain

The 2021 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid is here, and it’s treated to the same round of updates as the rest of the refreshed Bentayga lineup. That means it gets the new exterior design, a thoroughly revised interior and plenty of new tech. Nothing on the powertrain side has changed for the plug-in hybrid Bentley. ItÂ’ll continue to make do with a 3.0-liter twin-turbo V6 aided by an electric motor. Output remains the same at 443 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque combined. EPA range is not yet available, but given the 31-mile NEDC-tested range hasnÂ’t changed, we donÂ’t expect the 18-mile EPA-rated electric range to budge either. The biggest upgrade draw inside is the new 10.9-inch infotainment system. ItÂ’s the latest and best Bentley has to offer, and it features wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto. A wireless phone charger, new USB-C ports and a larger rear seat touchscreen remote tablet round out the best of the interior changes. ThereÂ’s more space for passengers in the rear. And Bentley upped its luxury game with a redesigned dash, instrument cluster (digital), door trims and steering wheel. The seats are re-done for even more comfort, too. Bentley hasnÂ’t detailed any fine tuning changes it may have made to the way the Bentayga Hybrid drives, but given our disappointing first drive a couple of years ago, we hope there are some unsung, under the hood improvements. The telltale sign that itÂ’s the PHEV is via the tiny “Hybrid” script on the lower door trim. Bentley says the updated Hybrid is available to order now, but we donÂ’t yet have a full breakdown of pricing. Expect it to maintain its status as the cheapest Bentley in the brandÂ’s lineup. Related video:

First new Bentley Blower built since 1930 is now being tested

Just over a year after announcing the program, Bentley has finished building its first Blower car since 1930. It's called "Car Zero" since it's not one of the 12 customer cars. Instead, this first car is a prototype that will undergo testing before the customer cars begin production. Bentley says this car took 40,000 hours to complete. The company figured out how to build it based on existing tooling and blueprints, as well as laser scans of the components in the company's 1929 race car on which the continuation models will be based. The company collaborated with a variety of outside companies for help with the frame, radiator shroud and leaf springs. The frame was built by a company that builds and restores boilers for steam engines. Bentley itself also built a custom stand so it could hook up the recreated 4.5-liter supercharged four-cylinder to its modern-day engine dynamometers for break-in. Now that this prototype has been completed, Bentley will begin testing it for durability. The planned testing should recreate just under 22,000 miles of regular driving and nearly 5,000 miles of track driving. The company will also do a top speed run with it. Once testing is complete, Bentley will start building the 12 customer cars, all of which have been sold and specified. While many are likely excited about this new Bentley, there are a handful of car enthusiasts that probably don't share the excitement. Earlier this year, several of these wealthy enthusiasts, including fashion mogul Ralph Lauren, sent a letter to Bentley expressing concerns that these continuation cars will reduce the value, both monetary and intrinsic, of the original cars. The complaint obviously hasn't had an effect on Bentley's plans. Related Video:

Here's the Bentley Bentayga actually going off-road

There might not be many opportunities to see a Bentley Bentayga getting dirty off-road, but Bentley is making sure its upcoming crossover can perform capably when off the beaten path. This video demonstrates the Bentayga's all-wheel drive system, and you can see the wheels braking when needed. While the SUV's exterior is covered in cladding, you get an idea of the vehicle's general shape. A small skid plate is also visible underneath. It is not set to go on sale until 2016, but the Bentayga has been spied testing all over the world. Bentley also already offered a good look at the interior. Most recently, the model showed up on the highways around Dubai, likely for hot-weather evaluation. Laps around the Nurburgring should also help keep the SUV relatively light on its feet. With 4,000 interested customers lined up as of earlier this year, the Bentayga should be a success for Bentley. After launch, a diesel V8 version and a plug-in hybrid are reportedly on the way in 2017. Later, a smaller crossover might be in the cards, too. Related Video: