Bentley to go green by 2012

Bentley Azure / Bentley

Company goes for up to 90 percent cut in emissions.

By Thami Masemola
March 9, 2008 10:49 PM
Filed Under: Bentley, European, General, Green

Long gone are the days when Bentley was just a cheap Rolls Royce. These days the luxury marque owned by Volkswagen is selling thousands of cars per year, mostly in the US to you-know-who…

Not known for their frugality at the petrol pumps, Bentleys typically use only V8s and V12s to power their cars, featuring mainly superchargers as the protagonists in their quest for performance. The supercharger has been a Bentley trademark since the late 1920s. In 2012 however, things may change for Bentley as it strives to cut major emissions by then to 120 g/km of CO2 for every model in the range.

Consider that an Audi A3 1.9 TDI, BMW 118D and Fiat 500 1.2 Pop all come in at 119 g/km. Bentley says this goal is on a well-to-wheel basis, and that performance will not be affected by the new strategy. New “green” engines are the key to this, engines that will use renewable flex-fuels.

“By preparing our engines at an early stage for these fuels,” said Bentley CE Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen, “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 120 g/km by 2012.”

If Porsche can turn Hulk on us within a short space of time, what’s stopping the likes of Bentley from going the same route? Now, when can we see that hybrid fuel cell-powered Veyron that no one is talking about?

Source: Bentley

Press Release (Click to expand)

Bentley will become the first manufacturer in its segment and one of the first in the world to deliver renewable-fuel vehicles throughout its range, along with substantial powertrain improvements. The strategy follows years of engineering studies and intensive product development, exploring alternative environmental technologies in depth. The renewable fuel programme reflects Bentley’s commitment to the environment while maintaining vehicle performance.

Franz-Josef Paefgen, Bentley Chief Executive, said: “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. 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.”
Dr. Paefgen said the initiative will help Bentley as a corporation to address the two-fold global issue of CO2 emissions and longer-term fuel availability, as part of its corporate social responsibility.
“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,” he added.

Efficiency improvements will be achieved first through the application of innovative technology to its 8 and 12 cylinder engines, including enhanced engine management, and new, improved transmissions and drivelines, as well as through weight reduction. As part of its commitment to reduce CO2 output on every new model, these efforts will lead to at least a 15% reduction in CO2 emissions by 2012.
Secondly, a new powertrain will be introduced by 2012, delivering a 40% reduction in fuel consumption, while maintaining current levels of performance.
Thirdly, all engines across the entire range will become compatible with the use of renewable fuels by 2012, with the initial rollout beginning by next year.

“It is our conviction that renewable fuels, in particular second-generation biofuels, 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%.
The benefits of second-generation biofuels are significant:
• They deliver a massive reduction in total CO2 emissions
• They do not compete with food requirements as a raw material base
• The use of biomass waste for fuel requires minimal additional land use
• They deliver much higher yields than first generation crop-based fuels

“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 120 g/km by 2012,” Dr. Paefgen added.