Bentley Bentayga diesel will use “electric turbocharger” – report

The diesel version of the Bentley Bentayga SUV looks set to employ an electrically driven compressor.

Lead engineer Peter Guest confirmed to Automotive News Europe that an upcoming diesel variant of the Bentayga SUV will use an electrically driven “turbocharger”, or e-charger, to improve engine responsiveness and reduce fuel consumption.

Although Guest didn’t confirm the size and configuration of the new diesel engine, rumours have been circulating recently that it is a 4.0-litre V8 unit.

This engine is expected to debut in production guise next year under the bonnet of an Audi, believed to be a high performance version of the second-generation Q7 SUV.

CarAdvice sampled the technology last year when we drove the Audi RS5 TDI Concept, which is powered by a 3.0-litre TDI V6 with two exhaust driven turbochargers and one electrically driven compressor that provides near instantaneous boost at low engine speeds.

It’s unknown at this stage whether the Volkswagen Group’s recent “dieselgate” related troubles will delay the roll out of the new technology.

The Bentayga heralds a number of first for the high-end luxury brand: it’s the marque’s first SUV, and it will also be the company’s first production vehicle to sport both a diesel engine and a plug-in hybrid drivetrain.

When it goes on sale next year, the Bentayga will be powered by twin-turbo 6.0-litre W12 that makes 447kW of power and 900Nm of torque.