Geneva show: Bentley to go green(er)

BENTLEY Motors outlined a new environmental strategy for the Volkswagen-owned British luxury brand last week, promising to reduce emissions and fuel consumption – but taking no radical steps towards reducing its reliance on large internal combustion engines.

In a speech delivered at the Geneva motor show, Bentley CEO Franz-Josef Paefgen said the strategy would be based on three stages: reducing average emissions across its eight and 12-cylinder petrol engine range by at least 15 per cent by 2012 introducing an all-new powertrain by 2012 that will deliver a 40 per cent improvement in fuel economy “while maintaining current levels of performance” and offering bio-ethanol-compatible engines, the first of which should be available next year.

“This is a major step in the history of Bentley, reflecting the increasing expectation from our customers around the world for performance motoring with fuel-efficient engines,” said Dr Paefgen.



“We will set a benchmark in our segment of the industry by making every engine capable of running on renewable fuels, reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency throughout our fleet.

“Bentley does not believe that short-term measures are an appropriate answer to these global issues, and is basing its strategy on a long-term vision.” Before the all-new powertrain arrives next decade, efficiency improvements will, according to Bentley, be achieved through the application of innovative technology to its eight and 12-cylinder engines, including “enhanced engine management, and new, improved transmissions and drivelines, as well as through weight reduction”.

With bio-fuel engines, the initial rollout will begin next year and the entire range should become compatible by 2012.

“It is our conviction that renewable fuels, in particular second-generation bio-fuels, have strong potential,” said Dr Paefgen. “On a well-to-wheel basis, such fuels can deliver a consistently high net CO2 reduction of up to 90 per cent.

“By preparing our engines at an early stage for these fuels, we believe we will help accelerate their adoption, as the supply and market for them develop.

Taken together, the measures we are announcing will make the entire Bentley fleet capable of delivering less that 120g/km by 2012.” Dr Paefgen added that Bentley would become the first manufacturer in its segment – and one of the first in the world – to deliver vehicles capable of running on 100 per cent renewable fuels throughout its fleet.

The British manufacturer did not use the Geneva stage to present an in-the-metal example of its new strategy.

Instead, attention was turned to a collaborative effort with specialist coachbuilder Zagato to produce a GTZ version of its unashamedly high-performance Continental GT, complete with “double-bubble roof, pronounced wheel-arch lines and a rounded tail, together with all-new rear combination lamps”.