RE: The Bentley hybrid is here!
Wednesday 9th April 2014
The Bentley Hybrid Concept is a fascinating thing to analyse. Almost predicting the bewilderment form traditional Bentley customers at a car that actively attempts to be efficient, the concept looks very much like the stately Mulsanne in a very subdued colour scheme. Wouldn't want too much shock now.
Parsimony and frugality, Bentley styleThe details on Bentley's plug-in hybrid system are brief at present, with more likely to follow at the concept's Beijing reveal on April 20. For now it serves to signal Bentley's intent to introduce plug-ins, with discussion of the hybrid range as a whole rather than this concept specifically. Apparently the addition of a hybrid will add 25 per cent more power with a 70 per cent reduction in CO2 to Bentley models. All will have an EV range of at least 50km (32 miles) for emissions-free, silent running. Because Bentley combustion engines are always so raucous, aren't they?
Little different in here, of courseAs for the Mulsanne-based Hybrid Concept, Bentley has chosen its flagship to indicate that 'hybrid technology enhances even the pinnacle of luxury and performance'. That rather plain colour scheme hides copper as a styling element inside and out to highlight 'the car's electrical veins'. Hmm. See the headlamps, brake calipers and badges.
The Bentley hybrid is here!
Mulsanne Hybrid Concept will make its debut at Beijing. Then the SUV is coming...
Parsimony and frugality, Bentley style
According to Bentley's Chairman Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, "at least 90 per cent" of the Bentley range will be available as a plug-in hybrid by the end of the decade. The first model will be the SUV due in 2017. Nothing more has been confirmed on this since the EXP 9 F was to be restyled. A hybrid Bentley SUV? And some thought the Continental GT was controversial...
Little different in here, of course
Lastly, if the prospect of a hybrid Bentley is anathema to you, the latest Continental GT Speed will also be on the Beijing stand. 635hp, 206mph and 19.5mpg more like it sir?
Discussion
Still not sure about the 4x4 idea, but welcome the hybrid tech. It will appease the greens and extend the range of the vehicle. It will also reduce the rate of fossil fuel usage, thus meaning we can run cars for longer (if you assume that making the tech doesn't require the usage of fossil fuels). Of course, the greenest cars of all are classics, but the company can't continue as a going concern just making spare parts for old cars!
I'm surprised they've not made this move sooner. The quiet running and high torque output that an electric motor can deliver are qualities that would be very desirable in a big luxury car. Even the added weight is not such a concern in this situation.
Adding technology for a quieter, smoother ride, seems a perfect fit for the Bentley tradition to me.
Adding technology for a quieter, smoother ride, seems a perfect fit for the Bentley tradition to me.
Pixelpeep said:
I don't get how a hybrid system can make that much difference to the cars overall co2 output - co2 output at full chat must be in the 400's ?!
how is it calculated ? overall/average/first 30 miles with no petrol ?
According to this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_European_Driving_...how is it calculated ? overall/average/first 30 miles with no petrol ?
about 11km in all with lots of slow acceleration.
Pixelpeep said:
I don't get how a hybrid system can make that much difference to the cars overall co2 output - co2 output at full chat must be in the 400's ?!
Among other things, regenerative braking - accelerate away from a traffic light, recapture the energy when you slow for the next one.samoht said:
Pixelpeep said:
I don't get how a hybrid system can make that much difference to the cars overall co2 output - co2 output at full chat must be in the 400's ?!
Among other things, regenerative braking - accelerate away from a traffic light, recapture the energy when you slow for the next one.For much of the test it will run electric only, not the electric assisting the petrol. It is realistic to think that someone who drives one of these to work can charge at either end of their journey and very few commutes are more than 60 miles a day (cue those who have one, but most are MUCH shorter).
Also remember you don't use all of the power all of the time and that if petrol and electric run together they have different peak power and peak torque points. That means when the electric motor is at peak the petrol is a long way of it, so you dont' get 1+1=2
Also remember you don't use all of the power all of the time and that if petrol and electric run together they have different peak power and peak torque points. That means when the electric motor is at peak the petrol is a long way of it, so you dont' get 1+1=2
JonnyVTEC said:
Pixelpeep said:
I get that, but how is something that only provides 20% of the cars total power give it 50% better co2 ?
Because the test doesnt really use full power peak power or even get to the rpm that peak power is generated.
ks.For CO2 ratings they really need to be doing a 200km test now because over that kind of distance the difference between IC engine and IC + hybrid will narrow significantly.
I think that is why the US figures for hybrids are less good, mainly because they do a longer test with more realistic accelerations.
You'd also need to include the CO2 emitted in extracting, transporting, refining, transporting and dispensing fossil fuel to the car as well then... That adds about 10-15g/km I believe.
Let us remember than in some European countries the grid has a huge percentage of renewables, with Norway for instance being over 90%. 15% of the UK's energy demand was met with wind during the winter and that goes up every year! Of course if someone chooses a renewable supplier then they are changing the balance again.
The EU test is unrealistic, no question, but really long tests are also unrealistic in this context because so many car journeys are short.
Let us remember than in some European countries the grid has a huge percentage of renewables, with Norway for instance being over 90%. 15% of the UK's energy demand was met with wind during the winter and that goes up every year! Of course if someone chooses a renewable supplier then they are changing the balance again.
The EU test is unrealistic, no question, but really long tests are also unrealistic in this context because so many car journeys are short.
Pixelpeep said:
I get that, but how is something that only provides 20% of the cars total power give it 50% better co2 ?
Because the test is measuring CO2 whilst basically trundling around, which for a Bentley isn't taxing it whatsoever. 20% of the Bentley's total potential is a huge portion of the oomph actually required for the tests.
dino ferrana said:
You'd also need to include the CO2 emitted in extracting, transporting, refining, transporting and dispensing fossil fuel to the car as well then... That adds about 10-15g/km I believe.
Let us remember than in some European countries the grid has a huge percentage of renewables, with Norway for instance being over 90%. 15% of the UK's energy demand was met with wind during the winter and that goes up every year! Of course if someone chooses a renewable supplier then they are changing the balance again.
The EU test is unrealistic, no question, but really long tests are also unrealistic in this context because so many car journeys are short.
If the cars are not charged off the grid though, then it's irrelevant too.Let us remember than in some European countries the grid has a huge percentage of renewables, with Norway for instance being over 90%. 15% of the UK's energy demand was met with wind during the winter and that goes up every year! Of course if someone chooses a renewable supplier then they are changing the balance again.
The EU test is unrealistic, no question, but really long tests are also unrealistic in this context because so many car journeys are short.
I doubt many journeys are 11km long. Maybe 15km each way average, so a 30km commute with no charging at work!?
I know loads of people with hybrid cars but very few are actually plugged in anywhere, or even capable of being plugged in... nor do these people get anywhere near the quoted mpg... though they know it's ultimately better than not being hybrid it's nowhere near what we believe from the figures.
Dave
Very few hybrids are plug-in capable, only Ampera, Prius and the Mitsu Outlander I think at the moment. The Bentley is a plug in hybrid and will need to be plugged in to see the benefits, but a 30 mile electric only range is what they are talking about, not 20km. F
or that portion of a drive you are emitting zero local CO2 and importantly (remembering recent London pollution incident) zero NOx and particulates. Depending on the source of the electricity there could be some CO2 output at the power station, but there also may be zero if you use renewable.
If you are driving a Bentley to work, you are very likely to have the best or only parking space at the office and can insist on getting a charge point fitted!
The 25% boost in power is very unlikely to mean that the motor is only putting out 25% of the power. Electric motors and engines have their peak power outputs at different rpm. So the cumulative figure is 25% up, but the motor probably has a significantly higher output. Plus you cannot drive on the road using all of a Bentley's power all of the time, just not possible!
or that portion of a drive you are emitting zero local CO2 and importantly (remembering recent London pollution incident) zero NOx and particulates. Depending on the source of the electricity there could be some CO2 output at the power station, but there also may be zero if you use renewable.
If you are driving a Bentley to work, you are very likely to have the best or only parking space at the office and can insist on getting a charge point fitted!
The 25% boost in power is very unlikely to mean that the motor is only putting out 25% of the power. Electric motors and engines have their peak power outputs at different rpm. So the cumulative figure is 25% up, but the motor probably has a significantly higher output. Plus you cannot drive on the road using all of a Bentley's power all of the time, just not possible!
Mr Whippy said:
And it starts charged, so they get a load of CO2 'free' KJ sat waiting to use, which is complete bks.
For CO2 ratings they really need to be doing a 200km test now because over that kind of distance the difference between IC engine and IC + hybrid will narrow significantly.
I think that is why the US figures for hybrids are less good, mainly because they do a longer test with more realistic accelerations.
Cant see why these plugins cant do the whole test in EV anyway.ks.For CO2 ratings they really need to be doing a 200km test now because over that kind of distance the difference between IC engine and IC + hybrid will narrow significantly.
I think that is why the US figures for hybrids are less good, mainly because they do a longer test with more realistic accelerations.
EPA is a faster speed which is why it fits more peoples actual usage.... unlike 120mile trips you suggest.
The only thing that surprises me about this announcement his how long its taken given the Bentley is already quite tech laden, nice cheat for the EU emissions tests as well.
if the 06 GT is anything to go by the top gear on the GT500 will be looooooooonnnnngggggg, meaning a high theoretical speed but not as high an actual speed. I believe one model of the Dodge Viper line (think it was the SRT-10) was actually faster in 5th gear than 6th because 6th was essentially an overdrive for cruising.
SpeckledJim said:
mikEsprit said:
Anyone know how a GTC Speed has a higher top speed than a Mustang GT500? I'm being lazy, but it has less power and I assume more weight and doesn't appear to be more aerodynamic?
Weight is irrelevant. Power, gearing and drag are what matters. if the 06 GT is anything to go by the top gear on the GT500 will be looooooooonnnnngggggg, meaning a high theoretical speed but not as high an actual speed. I believe one model of the Dodge Viper line (think it was the SRT-10) was actually faster in 5th gear than 6th because 6th was essentially an overdrive for cruising.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff