Bentley will offer a hybrid version of its Arnage after the car’s redesign in 2010, a new report finds. Power is still expected to come from the current car’s 6.75-liter V8, but it will be mated to an Audi-derived hybrid system. It’s possible the next-generation Arnage would use Audi’s new-generation quattro hybrid, or a new system being developed for the Q7 SUV.
To further improve the Arnage’s fuel economy, Bentley engineers will also likely use a version of Audi’s spaceframe, saving an additional 150 kg.
“This will be a totally independent car,” Bentley boss Franz-Josef Paefgen told AutoCar in a recent interview. “It will not be like the Continental, a derivative of a VW Group product, although it will use components from the group.”
Paefgen also wants to make sure the Arnage’s 6.75L V8 — which dates back to the 1950s — finds its way into the next-generation car. “Meeting the 2009 EU5 emissions limits with this V8 can be done. We are now working on the proposed EU6 limits for 2013-15. All our engineers want to keep the engine alive.”
Paefgen also said the company is committed to reducing emissions while still offering its customers Bentley quality. “If we have to reduce fuel consumption by 20 per cent, we will do it. But we have to satisfy our customers and build a proper Bentley.”
While Bentley plans to offer lighter hybrids in the future, the automaker has no intentions of making a smaller car. “We may need to shed weight, but we still need to produce cars of a Bentley size,” Paefgen said.
The news of Bentley going green comes on the heels of a report that the automaker is experimenting with a Bugatti W16-powered Arnage. It would seem that the two reports are polar opposites, indicating a 900+ horsepower Arnage might be reserved for the show circuit or an extremely limited production run.
10/18, 11:10 AM
posted by:
injunraiv
I think Bentley should get a complete makeover… Oh, who am I kidding? I’ll never own one!
10/18, 11:50 AM
posted by:
Cyclone of Red
Eh…the only thing I would want a Bentley for is so I could sell it and buy a Ferrari…or maybe one of every BMW M series.
10/18, 12:17 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Dey done lost dey damn minds!
Cyclone: I’m with you.
10/18, 12:18 PM
posted by:
driver54
Bentley owners usually have other fun cars like Ferrari and BMW M series for the other days of the week.
10/18, 12:31 PM
posted by:
autonut
Bentley watched Al Gore’s documentary and listened to Barbra Streisand singing.
10/18, 12:50 PM
posted by:
Mar Solo
Far be it for me to complain, but is this not one of the stupidest things you’ve ever heard of?
People who own Bentley’s, or exotic cars, well, I would assume could not give a rats behind about being green whilst spending uber thousands on super luxury.
This world needs an enema.
10/18, 1:04 PM
posted by:
mkM3
The reason for the hybrid powertrain appears to be to allow them to continue to use the inefficient 50 year old V8. I guess they have found that motor to be a big part of the experience for Bentley customers? That would be surprising if true.
10/18, 1:26 PM
posted by:
LP640
Hybrid on a Bentley. Dont stop there VW why not give the Veyron a hybrid version as well?? Im sure sales will be boosted (!)
10/18, 2:06 PM
posted by:
Aston Martin
I say, that’s not cricket! Bentley must stick to the good ol’ British V8.
10/18, 2:08 PM
posted by:
injunraiv
All you flag waving Bentley morons should bow down before the Japanese brands! GM has poor quality! Toyota rules!
Sorry, I figured I would just make all 1115s points for him/her, to ease the strain on that pea brain… ;^)
10/18, 2:09 PM
posted by:
jackjimturkey
Toyota rules, but Honda’s (sic) are perfect!
10/18, 3:00 PM
posted by:
Blakkarr
Bentley had a sharp looking MR sports car in development. What happened to that?
Oh, hybrids… Sounds interesting…
Nothing worth discussing.
10/18, 3:11 PM
posted by:
A4
id put a hitch on it and tow my ferrari
hybrids are garbage and this is rediculous unless its absolutely necessary for this 6.75 V8 to live again. If not, screw the electricity. Thank god they realized weight loss is the way of their future though.
10/18, 4:06 PM
posted by:
SSEAN54
does anyone care about bentley?
10/18, 4:45 PM
posted by:
MY Si
i cant wait till i hear rappers rapping bout they big ass rims and fuel economy. “yeah boi! my Arnage gets 55MPG! 35 with my bitches in da back seat!”
10/18, 5:50 PM
posted by:
nowei
Wow MY Si, those are some heavy bitches…
10/18, 8:15 PM
posted by:
Scott Kempton
This hybrid thing sure is catching on. Maybe there’s something to it?
I haven’t heard, or read, any comparisons between the different types of hybrid systems yet. Most people know that the system GM is putting in some of their cars and trucks isn’t a “true” hybrid, but it seems to be vastly more simple than the one Toyota is putting in the Prius, and simpler is almost always better. So I wonder just how much benefit is gained with GM’s system, compared to the same vehicle with a “regular” drivetrain? It may be (and I’m hoping) that GM has stumbled across something “big” here. Or it could also be that they’ve produced something that is hideously expensive to buy and maintain, and offers little benefit in fuel economy.
Anybody heard any feedback along these lines?
10/19, 1:16 AM
posted by:
autonutt
Wouldn’t the extra HP and/or MPG generated by the Hybrid electric motor be negated by the additional weight from the battery packs required to power it? This sounds neither Green nor efficient. I understand Bentley’s desire to retain the traditional British V8 motor, but when your “lesser” Continental models offer a significantly more powerful V12 it just seems silly.
10/19, 7:46 AM
posted by:
DeansterTJ
The engine is from the 1950’s??!
Maybe it’s time to drop in something a little more modern
10/19, 11:02 AM
posted by:
LamborghiniZ
I cannot WAIT for the next gen Arnage. That thing will be insane.
10/21, 2:59 PM
posted by:
peter g
Hybrids are probably best thing these days, that’s untill we come up with something better. But Bentley and hybrids? Soon they’ll be delivered with organic caviar and recyclable champagne? Let’s get an entirely new Arnage instead of this relict.