A gorgeous Azure Purple Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid prototype just drove across Iceland using only energy from waste straw and the power of electricity. The luxury sedan covered 455 miles (733 km) in total on a combination of second-generation biofuel and geothermally sourced electricity (from the Icelandic power grid).
This journey was also meant as a validation of Bentley’s research into biofuels, which can be used without any engine modifications. The fuel they used in this Flying Spur conforms to the same EN228 standard as ordinary pump gasoline, despite being made entirely from waste biomass (straw), without negatively impacting foot production or the ecosystem.
Using this fuel, together with the Flying Spur Hybrid’s electrified powertrain, resulted in an overall CO2 reduction of 45%.
“It was great to see the car make the 733 km journey across the country on renewable electricity and green renewable fuel. Driving through the countryside with waterfalls on your left, and volcanos to the right you can visually see where the energy is generated directly, from nature,” said Iceland’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir.
“I think this is the best definition of sustainable energy. Iceland wants to be part of the environmental solution and help others use the knowledge and renewable sources we have here.”
For Bentley, the Flying Spur Hybrid represents a big step toward becoming the world’s most sustainable luxury mobility company, as per the brand’s Beyond100 strategy. By 2024, all Bentley nameplates will feature a Hybrid version, before the launch of the company’s first battery electric vehicle, set to arrive by 2025.
In terms of performance, the Flying Spur Hybrid is powered by a 2.9-liter V6 gasoline engine, working alongside an advanced electric motor for a total of 536 hp (544 ps) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque. It’s not that much slower than the V8-powered Flying Spur, capable of hitting 60 mph (97 kph) from a standstill in just 4.1 seconds.
Using this fuel, together with the Flying Spur Hybrid’s electrified powertrain, resulted in an overall CO2 reduction of 45%.
“It was great to see the car make the 733 km journey across the country on renewable electricity and green renewable fuel. Driving through the countryside with waterfalls on your left, and volcanos to the right you can visually see where the energy is generated directly, from nature,” said Iceland’s Minister of Tourism, Industry and Innovation, Þórdís Kolbrún Reykfjörð Gylfadóttir.
“I think this is the best definition of sustainable energy. Iceland wants to be part of the environmental solution and help others use the knowledge and renewable sources we have here.”
For Bentley, the Flying Spur Hybrid represents a big step toward becoming the world’s most sustainable luxury mobility company, as per the brand’s Beyond100 strategy. By 2024, all Bentley nameplates will feature a Hybrid version, before the launch of the company’s first battery electric vehicle, set to arrive by 2025.
In terms of performance, the Flying Spur Hybrid is powered by a 2.9-liter V6 gasoline engine, working alongside an advanced electric motor for a total of 536 hp (544 ps) and 553 lb-ft (750 Nm) of torque. It’s not that much slower than the V8-powered Flying Spur, capable of hitting 60 mph (97 kph) from a standstill in just 4.1 seconds.