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Bentley Working on Diesel and Hybrid Powertrains for Future

The hybrid is planned to debut on the SUV in 2017

Bentley's SUV is due in 2016 and will get diesel and hybrid options

BentleyBentleyUnited Kingdom, 1919 > present37 models
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is planning to add a diesel engine and hybrid powertrain to its range, at least for its SUV for 2016, and wants to add more variants of its MulsanneBentley Mulsanne (modern)United Kingdom, 2010 > present13 versions
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sedan.

“We are definitely investigating a diesel engine. It will fit anyway into the platform we are using, so it could make sense to do it. Sales in Europe for a car like that could be very high, and for relatively little investment on our part,” said Bentley CEO Wolfgang Schreiber.

The investment is so low because it could take an engine from Volkswagen’sVolkswagenGermany, 1938 > present98 models
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massive range in a similar way that it shares some engines with AudiAudiGermany, 1909 > present83 models
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already.

“We will have a plug-in powertrain, but it needs to be more than the existing systems – with more power, more torque. The SUV will get it first, you won’t see it in our existing cars because its too expensive, but by 2017 the SUV will get it,” said Schreiber.

Bentley’s SUV will have a high ride height and all-wheel drive but has not been designed to be a real off-roader because Bentley knows that most buyers simply will not use it for that.

The company’s other new product plan is for the future of the Mulsanne.

“I’d like us to have a great succession plan for Mulsanne. We have one car there, while Rolls-RoyceRolls-RoyceUnited Kingdom, 1904 > present31 models
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has seven,” said Kevin Rose, Bentley’s head of sales and marketing.