Bentley have used the Beijing motor show to unveil the first hybrid concept car the manufacturer has made. As well as showing the importance of creating Eco Friendly cars, the luxury car maker has Signalled the importance of the Chinese market by using their show to unveil the car, as well as debuting three other models.
Based on Bentley’s £225,000 flagship Mulsanne model, the hybrid system uses both petrol and electric power and can be plugged into the mains to recharge it. The manufacturer claims the system increases the car’s power output by a quarter and cuts emissions by 70pc, as well as allowing the vehicle to drive 30 miles entirely on electric power.
The conventionally powered Mulsanne has a 6.75 litre twin-turbo V8 engine delivering 505hp that can take the car to 184mph, but consumes fuel at a rate of 16.8mpg and pumps out 393 grams of CO2 per kilometre.
Bentley also used the show to announce that it will introduce a hybrid-powered sports utility vehicle (SUV) in 2017 and that by the end of the decade 90pc of the company’s vehicles will be available as plug-in hybrids.
Three other Bentley cars made their Chinese debut at the show: the Flying Spur V8 sedan, the 206mph Continental GT Speed – the fastest production Bentley so far – and the Continental GT V8 S.
Ricky Tay, Bentley’s China managing director, said: “China has always been a key market for Bentley and, after a remarkable year in 2013, we have seen an impressive start to 2014 with a 19pc increase in sales in the first quarter. Our customer base is growing and we are expanding our dealer network to offer our ultra luxury products and a unique brand experience throughout the region.”
China’s growing middle classes mean the country is vital market to global car companies. Last year, car sales in the country rose 16pc to 18m, making it the world’s biggest market.
Also highlighting their commitment to China at the show were other automotive industry heavyweights such as Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). The company, owned by India’s Tata, will begin making SUVs in China by the end of the year, said JLR China president Bob Grace, adding that local production would reduce prices by about 15pc.
Volvo Cars, which is owned by Hangzhou-based Geely, said it expects China to overtake the US to become its biggest market this year, while Volkswagen said it expects Chinese sales to accelerate by 10pc or more this year to more than 3.5m.