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Bentley Bentayga SUV will feature diesel, hybrid plug-in options

Here’s an interesting notion. Can you picture a Bentley pumping out thick, truck-like black smoke from its exhaust as it huffs away? Luckily, modern diesel cars are more refined these days, but my point stands.

Bentley will release a real-life diesel-powered “Bentayga” SUV come 2017, and with that awful name will come a ton of intrigue as the company spreads its roots.

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If you’re wondering about the unfortunate name tag, it was confirmed (along with the engine choices) at the Detroit Motor Show currently keeping Motown busy. We’re not sure we like it, and I think its ghastly, but perhaps the 4000-odd customers who are showing interest in purchasing it have shaken it off.

Here’s the strange story behind it:

Crowning the Northern Hemisphere, to the north of Bentleyâ€s birthplace in England, is the dramatic beauty of the Taiga, the worldâ€s largest transcontinental snowforest. To the south, the rugged peak of the Roque Bentayga in the subtropical Canary Islands draws attention from all directions and a challenging climb rewards with spectacular panoramic views of a rich and diverse landscape.

Nevertheless, judging by previous spy pictures and from its initial Geneva Motor Show unveiling back in 2012, the Bentayga wasn’t quite a looker either. If anything, it resembled a wealthy owner’s terrible DIY project, but a move towards diesel power for the off-roader is a firm hat-tip to the unforgiving grounds. Bentley has also done a lot since to improve the design language.

It will also house the first diesel engine fitted to a Bentley, arranged in a V8 or V12 formation (probably from the Volkswagen Toureg). Even more exciting is the fact that the company will be launching a plug-in hybrid variant of the monster, featuring either V6 or V8-petrol range extenders which will add to the 50km electric-only mileage.

The car will be unveiled officially in 2015, and the W12 version will go on sale a year later. We can’t speculate on price, but it will probably cost a pretty penny.

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