2023 Bentley Bentayga Azure, S Hybrid Are About Energy, Consolation

Bentley has introduced two new plug-in hybrid fashions for its beefy Bentayga lineup: the Bentayga S Hybrid and Bentayga Azure Hybrid. With these newest additions, half of all Bentayga fashions (seven out of 14) can be found as PHEVs. That is the newest step towards Bentley’s 2025 objective of getting its whole mannequin line-up provided with hybrid engines.

On the face of it, these two fashions could not appear drastically totally different, so let’s check out how every of them break down. The CliffsNotes model is that the Azure is extra luxury-oriented and the S is extra – effectively – sporty. However, we nonetheless want to take a look at the important thing variations. Additionally, earlier than we set off, no… neither of those come within the new EWB trim that simply debuted. Whereas we’re dashing goals, we must also say that this Azure has nothing to do with the Bentley Azure of previous. Sorry, people.

Bentayga S Hybrid

The brand new S Hybrid pumps out 456 horsepower from a 3.0-liter V6 fuel engine and 100 kW electrical motor. It’s a 13 horsepower bump over the base Bentayga Hybrid. That’s sufficient energy to get the massive British bruiser from 0-to-60 mph in beneath 5.3 seconds, and it’ll go on to a high velocity of 158 mph. That electrical energy is saved in a brand new 18-kWh battery.

If the fuel engine isn’t actually your factor, and you’re simply doodling round city, Bentley says the S has 27 miles of standalone EV vary.

In the same vein to the V8 Bentayga S, the S Hybrid will get some suspension tuning over the bottom mannequin. It comes with a 15 p.c enhance in damping stiffness in Sport mode. Sport mode may even present the driving force with “sound enhancements” (learn: pumped-in audio) from the engine bay. Out again, the S Hybrid additionally will get a Hybrid Sports activities Exhaust to boost the sounds simply that little bit extra. It might, in fact, be dialed up or down relying on what the passengers need.

To set the S Hybrid aside, Bentley has bestowed upon it the Blackline exterior trim bundle that – as you will have imagined – blacks out many of the vibrant metalwork on the skin of the automobile. It additionally comes with distinctive 22-inch wheels, a Bentayga Pace-inspired entrance bumper and rear spoiler in addition to pink brake calipers. How will folks know the automobile is quick if it doesn’t have pink brake calipers? Inside the extremely-customizable Bentyga, there might be all kinds of “S” emblems everywhere in the cabin in addition to within the instrument cluster.

Bentayga Azure Hybrid

Bentley says the Azure Hybrid prioritizes passenger consolation, moderately than all-out efficiency, by lowering the car’s NVH. It’s all about wellness within the Azure Hybrid, and it nonetheless contains the brand new 18-kWh battery that Bentley is placing within the S Hybrid. Which means you’ll nonetheless have the ability to hit that 27-miles of EV vary quantity.

Bentley says it additional deadened the sound getting into the Azure Hybrid’s cabin by bettering each energetic and passive noise cancellation. These efforts, in keeping with Bentley, have decreased cabin noise by as much as 26 p.c relying on seating place and frequency.

It’s all about incremental variations with the Azure Hybrid. The corporate claims the mannequin can have a smoother journey by means of suspension {hardware} tuning. It’s imagined to let 27 p.c much less vibration and harshness into the cabin than its rivals.

There we now have it – noise, vibration and harshness have all been lined. However that’s not all with regards to the Azure Hybrid.

You additionally get – what I’ve to imagine are extraordinarily cozy – 22-way heated and ventilated entrance seats.

All of this stuff are being accomplished in pursuit of what Bentley is asking “wellness behind the wheel.” The corporate used findings from neuroscience research to design the car’s cabin. Principally, it’s received nicer supplies, colours and patterns to make you – the very deserving driver – really feel good. There are 15 shade selections to select from and an entire slew of wooden veneers. How good of them.

Outdoors, the Azure Hybrid has vibrant chrome decrease bumper grilles, a ton of Azure badging and 22-inch ten-spoke wheels.

Each fashions can be found to order now in most markets, nevertheless pricing has not but been introduced. It’s a protected guess that they may value a very good deal greater than the bottom Bentayga Hybrid, nevertheless.