OK, so Bentley is going green (or so says their PR department), but who isn’t these days.
The boys from Crewe (at the behest of their owners in Germany) have laid out a three stage attack on the subject:
1 - Improved efficiency: Average fleet emissions to fall by at least 15% by 2012
2 - New powertrain in development to deliver 40% improvement in fuel economy
3 - Renewable fuel
* Flex-fuel engines to be introduced throughout the Bentley range by 2012
* First engines using renewable fuels to be available by next year
It’s the second point that got my attention.
A forty percent increase in fuel economy? And do they really mean to do that by 2012? That’s only 4 years away … how are they planning on doing that?
I know, they didn’t really tie the power increase into that timetable, but here’s what I’m thinking. I bet that what they do, after working out whatever bugs would bother Bentley buyers, is they pull some big-assed diesels from the Audi factory and drop them into engine bays across the Bentley range. They would, of course, re-badge them as being “Bentley” engines, add that you can run them on bio-diesel (some upper crust bio-diesel, made from refined crumpet leftovers or perhaps, recycled members of the Cratchit family), reconfig the gas burners to run on ethanol blends, and et voila, MPG figures go way up.
OK, that’s my guess, what’s yours?
Read the full Bentley press release after the jump.
BENTLEY OUTLINES ENVIRONMENTAL STRATEGY
On a well-to-wheel* basis, the entire Bentley model range will be capable of delivering less than 120 g/km of CO2 by 2012
Three-Stage Environmental Strategy Based On:
* Improved efficiency: Average fleet emissions to fall by at least 15% by 2012
* New powertrain in development to deliver 40% improvement in fuel economy
* Renewable fuel
* - Flex-fuel engines to be introduced throughout the Bentley range by 2012
* - First engines using renewable fuels to be available by next year
Lower emissions and improved economy will be delivered while maintaining vehicle performance.
Geneva/Crewe, 4 March 2008
Bentley Motors today unveiled a far-reaching environmental strategy to reduce CO2 emissions and dramatically improve fuel economy.
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.
You may also enjoy:
