In case an ultra-luxury sedan or a big two-door grand tourer with 771 horsepower is just too much car to handle, Bentley now offers Flying Spur and Continental GT buyers a second powertrain option. Called the High Performance Hybrid powertrain, the twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 is still paired with a single electric motor. But the combined output is dialed back to only 671 hp.
The difference comes entirely with the gasoline engine. The range-topping Speed models with the Ultra Performance Hybrid setup get 592 hp from the engine alone, supplemented by another 187 hp from the electric motor. The new High Performance powertrain has the same electric output, but the gas engine is retuned for 512 hp. Combined torque is also down slightly, from 590 pound-feet to 568. The battery capacity is the same at 25.9 kWh.
Photo by: Bentley
Despite being down 100 hp from the Speed models, the new versions are by no means slow. Bentley quotes a zero to 60 mph time for the Continental GT hard top at 3.5 seconds. Things are a bit slower in the convertible at 3.8 seconds, roughly a half-second off the Continental GT Speed. However, electric-only range is slightly better at 53 miles for the hard top and 51 miles for the convertible. The Flying Spur matches the Continental GT Convertible’s time of 3.8 seconds to 60 mph. Bentley lists an electric-only range of 50 miles.
The High Performance powertrain is offered on standard and Azure trims. Mulliner and Speed variants still run the Ultra Performance setup. Visually speaking, Azure models are identified by brighter trim for the grille, wheels, and special badging, among other things.
Though Bentley doesn’t come right out and say it, the retuned offerings are likely aimed at meeting emissions regulations in Europe. That said, the new “base” powertrain still makes these cars quicker than the previous-generation Speed variants.
The Continental GT has a starting price of $265,900 and is available for order now. Pricing and availability for the Flying Spur aren’t mentioned at this time.
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Source: Bentley
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