Brands from around the world have started to include more and more sustainable practices to reduce their environmental impact, and Bentley is not one to miss out. The marque has hosted the world’s first global media drive using sustainable eFuel, setting a new standard for sustainable luxury travel. A total of 157 guests from around the world attended the launch of the fourth generation Continental GT Speed coupe in Switzerland, and witnessed the potential of eFuel to power high-performance vehicles while minimising emissions.
The eFuel (electric fuel) is a fully synthetic liquid fuel, developed by a consortium led by Highly Innovative Fuels (HIF) Global and supported by Porsche. This innovative fuel, created by the Haru Oni pilot plant in Chile, is said to be produced literally “out of thin air”. They capture biogenic CO2 from a brewery process and combine it with renewable hydrogen – after which it can be refined into gasoline. For the Global Media Drive, Bentley used R75 – a blend of 75% eFuel and 25% regular gasoline, resulting in a significant reduction in well-to-wheel tailpipe emissions. Additionally, the event also utilised renewable electricity to charge the hybrid batteries in the Continental GT Speed models. The combination of the hybrid powertrain, eFuel, and renewable energy recorded a 93% reduction in CO2 emissions compared to previous events.
The new, fourth generation Continental GT Speed is the most powerful car Bentley has created for the road. This grand tourer is equipped with the all-new Ultra Performance Hybrid Powertrain that delivers 782 PS of horsepower and 1,000 Nm of torque, surpassing the performance of its predecessor while significantly reducing CO2 emissions to 29 g/km. The vehicle also boasts a new advanced chassis system that delivers exceptional handling and comfort. It features new two-chamber air springs, dual-valve dampers, as well as the Bentley Dynamic Ride (48V active anti-roll control), eLSD, and torque vectoring. This is further enhanced by a 49:51 rear-biased weight distribution, a first in the Continental GT series’ history.
During the Global Media Drive, guests were able to experience the full extent of this new Continental GT Speed as they went on a journey through the Swiss Alps. A total of 12 of the Continental GT Speeds coursed through a route that included four famous mountain passes – the Sustenpass, Grimselpass, Nufenenpass, and St. Gotthard-pass. The vehicles conquered a total of 1.4 million feet of elevation, navigating over 4,500 hairpins, and covering 8,000 miles in just seven days. Even so, due to the high-performance nature of the cars, the event achieved a 30% reduction in overall carbon emissions per guest.
The new Continental GT Speed features a bold new exterior design, which features single headlamps, a first for the mainstream Bentley since the 1950s. As for the interior, the marque has maintained its high level of quality, craftsmanship, and design. New features such as wellness seat technology, air ionisation, and three-dimensional leather textures further elevate the opulent vibe of the interior.
Despite significant reductions in on-site emissions, the primary environmental impact of the global media drive remains the CO2 emissions from international flights. To mitigate this, Bentley continues to offset carbon emissions using carbon credits, supporting emission reduction projects.
The Continental GT Speed is now available to order, and is set to arrive at retailers starting early next year. The vehicle has been certified at 29 g/km CO2 and 217 mpg.
For more information, visit Bentley Motors’ website.
