BENTLEY’S ULTRA PERFORMANCE HYBRID POWERTRAIN FOR NEW FLYING SPUR
Bentley Motors has again raised the bar in luxury automotive engineering by introducing its groundbreaking Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain. Set to be featured in the upcoming Bentley Flying Spur, this new powertrain promises to deliver unprecedented power, efficiency, and eco-friendliness. The latest iteration of the Flying Spur will be the most powerful, most dynamic, and efficient four-door car in Bentley’s illustrious 105-year history.
A POWERTRAIN LIKE NO OTHER
At the heart of this new Flying Spur is the Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, a marvel of modern engineering that combines a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine with a powerful electric motor. This pairing generates an astonishing 575 kW and 1000 Nm of torque. For context, this represents nearly a 110 kW increase in power over the current Flying Spur Speed’s W12 engine, making this new powertrain a significant leap forward.
The Ultra Performance Hybrid delivers blistering power and sets new benchmarks in efficiency and eco-friendliness. CO2 emissions are kept below 40 g/km, a remarkable achievement for a car in this class. Additionally, the hybrid system allows for an all-electric range of more than 72 km, and a total driving range exceeding 800 km, ensuring that the Flying Spur remains a true grand tourer capable of long-distance travel with minimal environmental impact.
TECHNOLOGICAL MASTERY AND PERFORMANCE
Bentley’s engineers have expertly integrated the electric motor with the V8 engine to enhance performance across the full rev range. The electric motor provides an immediate boost for strong acceleration from low speeds, while the V8 ensures robust performance at higher speeds. This seamless integration enhances acceleration and contributes to a smoother, more responsive driving experience.
Significant attention has also been given to the exhaust note of the new powertrain. Bentley has ensured that the rich, distinctive sound of the V8 is retained, emphasising the cross-plane quality without resorting to artificial electronic enhancement. This attention to detail highlights Bentley’s commitment to maintaining the sensory experience drivers expect from their vehicles.
A NEW ERA FOR BENTLEY
The introduction of the Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain marks a significant milestone in Bentley’s evolution. It follows the company’s tradition of combining class-leading combustion engines with cutting-edge technology to enhance performance. From the supercharging innovations of the 1920s to the turbocharging advancements of the 1980s, Bentley has consistently pushed the boundaries of automotive engineering. The new “electrocharging” approach continues this legacy, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation.
The Ultra Performance Hybrid represents Bentley’s vision for the future of luxury motoring. As the automotive industry moves towards greater sustainability, Bentley’s hybrid technology ensures they remain at the forefront of this transformation, offering customers a vehicle that does not compromise performance or luxury.
NOT THE LAST WORD
Bentley has promised to release more details about the new Flying Spur in the coming months. However, unveiling the Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain already sets high expectations for what is to come. The new Flying Spur is poised to redefine the luxury sedan market, offering unparalleled performance, efficiency, and sophistication.
For now, enthusiasts and prospective buyers can look forward to a vehicle that encapsulates the essence of Bentley’s heritage while embracing the future of automotive technology. The new Flying Spur, with its Ultra Performance Hybrid powertrain, is set to be a game-changer in the world of luxury automobiles, showcasing what is possible when tradition meets innovation.
AUDI SOUTH AFRICA EXPANDS CHARGING NETWORK
In a significant stride towards enhancing electric mobility, Audi South Africa, in collaboration with Rubicon, has introduced six new 150kW DC ultra-fast public chargers. Strategically located along South Africa’s major N1, N2, and N3 highways, these installations aim to support urban commuters and long-distance travellers. This marks Audi’s third major investment wave in public charging infrastructure since 2022, bringing their total expenditure on such initiatives to over R50 million.
The latest chargers are part of Audi’s ambitious plan to prepare South Africa for a future dominated by electric vehicles (EVs). Since 2022, Audi, in partnership with GridCars and Rubicon, has already added more than 120 DC and AC charging points nationwide. The six new ultra-fast chargers, equipped with two concurrent charging points each, promise to reduce charging times significantly. An average Audi e-tron can now be charged from 5% to 80% in just 30 minutes.
Key locations for these chargers include Fleurdal Mall in Bloemfontein, Century City and Tygervalley Shopping Centre in Cape Town, Galleria Mall in Amanzimtoti, Somerset Mall in Somerset West, and The Avenues Centre in Hilton. These sites are chosen to serve a wide range of users, from city dwellers to tourists and business travellers.
“This third wave of investment into the public charging network in South Africa highlights once again our commitment to electric mobility,” stated Sascha Sauer, Head of Audi South Africa. “We believe EVs represent the future of our brand, both globally and locally, and we’re therefore playing our part in making electric mobility a convenient, straightforward reality for more and more South Africans.”
PEUGEOT INTEGRATES CHATGPT ACROSS LINE-UP
In a groundbreaking move, Peugeot has announced the integration of ChatGPT as a standard feature across its entire vehicle range. Following a successful pilot phase earlier this year involving over 10,000 customers, the innovative AI, developed by OpenAI, is now a staple in all Peugeot models equipped with voice command functionality.
Peugeot’s emblematic i-Cockpit now boasts enhanced capabilities with ChatGPT, accessible via the voice assistant command “OK PEUGEOT”. This integration elevates the driving experience by providing instant answers to various questions, offering practical information and historical insights, and even organising quizzes to entertain passengers.
This feature, part of the Connect Plus pack, is also available as an over-the-air update for existing customers, eliminating the need for dealer visits.
The rollout of ChatGPT spans Peugeot’s latest models, including the New 208, 2008, 308, 308 SW, 408, 508, 508 SW, Rifter, Traveller, Partner, and Expert, with the 3008 and 5008 joining by year-end. Available in 17 markets across Europe and in 12 languages, the AI enhancement is designed to cater to a broad audience.
With immediate effect, key markets such as Germany, Austria, Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, and the UK will enjoy the benefits of Peugeot’s new ChatGPT feature, with additional countries like Denmark, Ireland, Norway, and others following by the end of July. We hope to see South Africa included in the rollout of this groundbreaking feature in the near future.
Report by WILHELM LOOTS
