Bentley Confirms Plan for Diesels, Hybrid Powertrains

The outgoing CEO of Volkswagen AG's Bentley Motors unit tells Car and Driver the luxury-vehicle maker will offer diesel and plug-in hybrid options in its upcoming SUV and next-generation sedans.

Wolfgang Durheimer tells the enthusiast magazine that Bentley is already testing prototype systems. He also says the company's SUV will not be based on the poorly received EXP 9F concept Bentley unveiled at the Geneva auto show in March. He says the vehicle will ride on VW's modular-longitudinal platform.

Durheimer declined to reveal details about the new diesel option. C&D predicts Bentley will adopt the 400-hp-plus V-8 diesel that sister division Audi plans to debut next year in its A8 large sedan. The magazine says Audi's huge V-12 diesel is being phased out and won't be considered for future Bentley vehicles.

Durheimer also confirmed but did not clarify Bentley's plans for a plug-in hybrid powertrain option for its cars and SUV. Earlier this year the company described a hybrid system for the EXP 9F concept based on a V-6 engine presumably the 3.0-liter, 240-hp supercharged unit found in the VW Touareg and Porsche Cayenne hybrids.