2022 Bentley Bentayga doesn’t have an extended wheelbase model since Mulsanne’s death, but that will change soon as the company puts the finishing touches on the Bentayga EWB.
Caught undergoing testing in Europe, this prototype is quite mediocre as the front and rear are the defaults on the standard 2023 Bentley Bentayga. When viewed from the side, however, you can easily tell that this is not your typical ultra-luxury crossover.
As you can see, this model has an extended wheelbase and a large rear door. There’s no word on how much longer the Bentayga EWB is, but Mulsanne EWB can provide some clues. This sedan has a longer wheelbase of 9.8 inches (250 mm) and all of that is dedicated to providing more legroom for rear-seat passengers.
The Bentayga EWB will likely do the same and will likely be equipped with two individual rear seats equipped with power leg rests. We can also expect a more luxurious version of the rear center console currently found on the standard 2023 Bentley Bentayga with a four-seat configuration.
Engine options have to be carried around and this means we can expect a twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 with 542 hp (404 kW / 550 PS) and 568 lb-ft (770 Nm) of torque.
There’s also a 6.0 liter twin-turbo W12 engine with 626 hp (467 kW / 635 PS) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque as well as a plug-in hybrid variant that produces 443 hp (330 kW / 449). PS) and 516 lb-ft (700 Nm) of torque.
Of course, speed and efficiency are not the names of the game as the extended-wheelbase model is all about comfort, space, and luxury.
2023 Bentley Bentayga Review
The luxury Bentley nameplate celebrated a century of existence nearly two years ago, so why did the automaker test a badly disguised and odd-looking Bentayga prototype with ‘Beyond 100’ stickers plastered all over the body?
The answer to that question is simple because Bentley announced a so-called ‘Beyond 100’ strategy for the company at about the same time as its centenary.
So far, only the mid-cycle refresh of the 2023 Bentley Bentayga has happened as part of the plan, but this is long-term thinking, and Bentley doesn’t stop there. Several electrified models are in the works for the next years, but until then, the Bentayga is still the bread and butter of the cage.
That way, it looks like this luxury SUV line-up will be even more luxurious with the addition of a top-of-range version, which will have a much longer wheelbase compared to the others.
With rivals like the Mercedes-Maybach GLS 680 and even the Rolls-Royce Cullinan offering more space for the VIP at the back, Bentley predicts that it’s time for 2023 Bentley Bentayga to get into the long-wheelbase game too with its SUV.
Possibly featuring only two luxurious reclining seats at the rear, the 2023 Bentley Bentayga LWB 2022 will be exclusively powered by the 6.0 liter twin-turbocharged W12 engine currently only featured in the Speed version of the facelift 2023 Bentley Bentayga.
With 635 PS (626 horsepower) and 900 Nm (664 lb-ft) of torque at its disposal, the Bentayga Speed can reach a top speed of no less than 306 kph (190 mph), which is slightly better than what the Lamborghini Urus has. platform brothers can do it.
While the Bentayga LWB will definitely weigh more than the Speed, top speed shouldn’t be affected, making it the fastest long-wheelbase luxury SUV on the planet when it arrives.
By the way, Bentley will unveil its most luxurious version of the model in less than a few months, just in time to steal a fraction of the Cullinan and GLS 680 market for this year.
2023 Bentley Bentayga W12
After the 2023 Bentley Bentayga mega-luxury SUV received many styling and gear upgrades to launch in the 2023 model year, we can now see the updated 2023 Bentley Bentayga Speed. True to its name, this is the high-performance version of the Bentayga that we caught a glimpse of in light camouflage a few days ago.
The 6.0-liter twin-turbocharged W12 remains unchanged, but its output of 626 horsepower and 664 lb-ft of torque is barely small. It allows a 0-62 mph time of just 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph, making it one of the fastest SUVs on the planet.
Changes are more visible on the outside, such as updated headlights and taillights. On the Speed, it receives a dark finish and comes with other enhancements such as a bespoke bumper, 22-inch wheels, and a large oval exhaust pipe. As is always the case with Bentley, the customization is nearly limitless, with 88 exterior color choices and 15 shade shades.
Along with the Speed emblem embroidered on the seats, the luxurious cabin is also smarter. The new 10.9-inch infotainment touchscreen is easier to use than ever before, while the head-up display projects additional information such as street name and distance to your destination. Apple CarPlay wireless is now also installed as standard.
Bringing the 2023 Bentley Bentayga Speed on par with other Bentleys such as the Continental GT and Flying Spur is a digital display driver. My Bentley’s remotely connected in-car and car services no longer require the driver’s mobile data connection as the embedded SIM is used.
Everything looks great, although some may miss the brand’s sleek and classy physical dial. The better-connected cab remains encased in some of the most luxurious materials available in any modern vehicle.
Along with unmatched luxury and astonishing straight-line speed, the 2023 Bentley Bentayga Speed can ride and handle exceptionally well thanks to the Bentley Dynamic Ride system, which the automaker says is the world’s first electrically active roll control technology.
“The new Bentayga has raised the benchmark for luxury SUVs, compared to others,” said chairman and chief executive Adrian Hallmark. “The new Bentayga Speed remains the fastest SUV in the world, but more than that, it is also the most luxurious version of the new Bentayga.”
Pricing has yet to be announced but the 2023 Bentley Bentayga Speed carries an MSRP of $ 240,400.
2023 Bentley Bentayga V8
It’s more than just a casual refresher of Bentley’s best-selling mid-cycle SUV: Every 2023 Bentley Bentayga exterior panel, apart from the roof and doors, is new. Likewise, the infotainment system and all the switchgear and vents are in the center of the dashboard.
And while a quick reading of the spec sheet shows a lot of carry-around hardware, our first drive of the Bentley Bentayga V8 2023 reveals an SUV that feels refined and overall improved.
The 542 hp V-8 is the first of a lineup of three revised and refreshed 2023 Bentley Bentayga models for the 2023 model year. It will join forces in the first quarter of 2023 with the best Bentayga 12-cylinder, 627-hp, 12-cylinder speed, and in the second quarter by Bentayga Hybrid, whose PHEV powertrain consists of a single 335-hp turbo.
The 3.0-liter V-6 runs on a 126 hp e-motor engine for a total system output of 443 horsepower.
Although the US, along with Russia and the Middle East, remains a solid market for the W-12 model, the V8 will account for 70 percent of the 5,000 or more that 2023 Bentley Bentayga expects to sell worldwide next year.
Of course, that number depends on how quickly the global economy recovers from the nightmare of this Covid-19 year.
The exterior of the Bentley Bentayga V8
On the metal inside and in camouflage, the exterior redesign gives the Bentayga a muscular, broad-shouldered look. At the rear, a wider rear track – wheels have been pushed out 0.4 inches on each side – and a new clamshell tailgate with wide-spaced oval taillights make it look less stout than the previous model.
It looks wider and more impressive from the front, too, thanks to a wider grille flanked by headlamps that lie further into the corners of the redesigned front fender and front bumper with large vents on the outer edges. It’s all a trick of the eye: the 2023 Bentley Bentayga as a whole is no wider than its predecessor.
The front bumper and rear trim are just 0.6 inches from the overall length, but all the hardpoints remain unchanged. The overall height is still 68.6 inches, and the wheelbase is still 117.9 inches.
And the architecture of the MLB Evo platform on which the Bentayga is built was originally developed by sister company VW Group Audi to accommodate front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive with a longitudinally mounted front engine, meaning the Bentley SUV still has a short axle dash and a long front overhang when viewed. from the side.
Standard wheels measure 21 inches, with 22s available, including a new design that will be exclusive to Bentayga for the 2023 model year. Two new colors, Viridian, dark metallic green, and Patina, a mid-tone greenish beige, are now available as options.
2023 Bentley Bentayga V8 Interior
The interior remodel is smart because it provides high visual impact at a relatively low cost. The basic architecture of the dashboard – which is very important in terms of tooling costs – has not changed.
The new 10.9-inch touchscreen, used in the Flying Spur and Conti GTs and the Porsche range, along with redesigned central vents and new switchgear, occupy the same piece of real estate in the center of the dashboard as the old screen, vents, and switches, avoiding the need for costly tooling changes.
Other changes include a new, configurable digital instrument panel replacing the old analog speedo and tach, and redesigned seat and door trim, all of which have changed the mood of the interior.
Forget the stuffy British men’s club metaphor: Gliding behind the wheel of a 2023 Bentayga V8 is like walking into a renovated Georgian townhouse with ambiance lighting and modern furnishings.
Rear seat passengers have been given slightly more knee space thanks to the rear seats which have been moved slightly back and have a more upright backrest and can now control various functions via a remote touch screen similar to those used on the Flying Spur sedan. Apple CarPlay is now standard, and Android Auto is available for the first time on Bentley.
How Much Does a Bentley Bentayga V8 Cost?
So far we estimate that 2023 will be offered with a choice of seven standard exterior colors, five standard skin tones, and two standard veneers, the 2023 Bentley Bentayga V8 having a base price of $ 177,000. But it doesn’t take much to play with Bentley’s brilliant configurator to spend more cash right away.
You can choose from 85 stunning optional exterior colors, 10 optional leather tones, and eight optional veneers, not to mention a choice of performance and display packages. Nothing is cheap.
Our tester comes with the $ 42,430 First Edition specs package, which combines optional active anti-roll suspension, an upgraded 1,780 watt Naim 20-speaker audio system, and a comfortable, heated, and cooled 22-way front seat.
Only available for the first-year production. Other options include the $ 4,815 All Terrain package, which adds four off-road drive modes – Mud and Trail, Sand, Earth and Gravel, and Snow, Ice, and Wet Grass – and under-body protection; Blackline’s $ 7,125 exterior trim package, which turns all glossy exteriors into glossy black; the $ 2,250 Sunshine package, which adds front side sun visor and rear side window blinds; and a four-seat interior package for $ 11,220.
That’s a cool $ 67,890 addition, enough to buy a few two-door Ford Bronco Big Bends for a dime to keep each of them gassed for six months.
How fast is the Bentley Bentayga V8?
Under the hood of the Bentley Bentayga V8 is a versatile 4.0-liter twin-turbo V-8 engine designed by Porsche.
Developing 542 hp at 6,000 rpm and 568 lb-ft of torque from 1,960 rpm to 4,500 rpm and driving all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, Bentley claims the engine will take the 5,400-pound Bentayga V8 to 60 mph in 4.4 km. seconds, up to 100 mph in 9.9 seconds, and a top speed of 180 mph.
It feels that fast. Bentley engines should be all about locomotive-class torque, and the twin-turbo V-8 doesn’t disappoint. The Bentayga V8 airs around town in a relaxed manner and quickly slides into the highest possible gear while driving down the freeway.
Not many Bentayga owners would worry about such details, but we did see an indication of 22 mpg (US) when traveling at 70 to 80 mph, which makes sense for a large, cliff-top, luxury SUV. In Bentley mode, the default driving mode, 2023 Bentley Bentayga will slide when you lift the gas, the engine speed decreases when the car rotates with kinetic energy.
Flex your right ankle, and a deep snore, like an old lion sleeping after a good lunch, swells through the cabin as Bentley glides down the road at incredible speeds given its not-so-massive mass. From 2,000 rpm to 5,000 rpm, the engine gives you all the thrust you want, whenever you want it.
How about the Bentley Bentayga V8 Ride And Handle?
Bentley mode is the best all-around driving mode, and unless you’re in for some fun on the road, it’s best to leave the Bentayga there.
Depending on how many narrow angles there are, you may want to pull the shifter on the center console to manual mode and use the pedals to select the gear you want when you enter the corner rather than waiting for the eight-speed auto to figure it out once you get to the throttle again.
The ride doesn’t have the luxury of a Range Rover, but there’s enough squid in the suspension to reduce even greater vertical impact, and an optional active anti-roll system keeps the Bentley even in corners.
Body movement is deftly controlled like in the new Aston Martin DBX, which benefits from being 2.4 inches longer at the wheelbase and weighing 386 pounds lighter.
Therefore, if the road is slightly open so that you can maintain a higher speed as you pass corners, you may want to use Sport mode to strengthen the suspension. You’ll occasionally see a lot more touch from side to side, but it’s good to keep that big body on tighter straps.
Although the 2023 Bentley Bentayga is, subjectively, quieter than the pre-face-lift models around town, there’s no disguising fact that it rolls on giant wheels and low-profile tires.
Wheel control was pretty good – our test car wasn’t nearly as strong as some of the rivals that sprung up in the air in the 22nd second – but a touch of low-speed impact hardness from the Pirelli P Zeros 285/40 was clearly visible on the bumpy roads on our driving route.
That said, Bentley’s low-speed fix is better than the tweaked Mercedes AMG SUV. Another low-speed niggle: Aggressive braking tips mean you’ll have to learn to modulate the pedals before you can consistently stop the Bentayga in stop-and-go traffic.
The weakest link on the Bentley 2023 Bentley Bentayga chassis is electric power steering. It’s light and relatively straightforward, which is great for low-speed maneuverability, but, unfortunately, there’s not a ton of feeling when cornering loads start to build.
You can feel the variable-ratio system hard at work turning tires with large contact patches and rigid sidewalls on the front axle that carry 56 percent of the car’s weight – nearly 3,000 pounds.
But you have no idea what really happens where the rubber meets the road, which is very important because it is from this that Bentayga’s entire dynamic repertoire is determined.
Yes, 2023 Bentley Bentayga is very fast. But it doesn’t exactly flow down the twisty roads, even with a capable driver behind the wheel. It’s not exactly on target, but there’s no doubt that the heavy-nosed Bentley prefers to break up the road into a series of discrete dynamic problems and solve them one by one.
There’s always the sensation that a lot of computer power is working behind the scenes, combining it all so that progress forward feels almost smooth.
In fact, some 2023 Bentley Bentayga buyers will care too much about the finer points of its dynamics. What really matters to them is that the Bentayga looks like a Bentley, especially on the inside, and is driven with the strong thrust and swagger they expect from a vehicle carrying the famous Winged B badge. And the Bentayga V8 does exactly that.
- BASIC PRICE $ 177,000
- LAYOUT Front engine, AWD, 4-7-pass, 4-door SUV
- 4.0L / 542-hp / 568-lb-ft DOHC 32-valve V-8 ENGINE
- Transmission 8 speed automatic
- CURB WEIGHT 5,400 lb (Est MT)
- WHEEL DISTANCE 117.9 inches
- L x W x H. 201.8 x 78.7 x 68.6 inches
- 0-60 MPH 4.4 sec (est mfr)
- EPA FUEL ECON 14/23/17 mpg (approx)
- ENERGY CONSUMPTION, CITY / HWY 241/147 kWh / 100 miles (approx.)
- CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 1.14 lb / mile (approx.)
Read next: 2022 Alfa Romeo Stelvio Perfect Things
2023 Bentley Bentayga Mulliner
Since 2015, Bentley has been manufacturing the 2023 Bentley Bentayga for people who want an SUV, but are looking for something more exclusive and luxurious than, say, the Range Rover. The average Bentayga costs around $ 220,000 and comes with a wide range of engine offerings, including the 600-horsepower W-12 that propels this giant SUV from 0-60 in just 4.1 seconds.
Mulliner Edition
So if we’re talking about 2023 If your “standard” Bentayga isn’t the right fit for you, Bentley offers the Bentayga Mulliner Edition, renowned for its incredible craftsmanship and ready to take your journey to the next level.
The exterior features Mulliner 22-inch Paragon wheels with a floating wheel center, a unique two-color paint scheme, and additional LED lighting elements throughout.
However, Mulliner’s pinnacle of craftsmanship is displayed on the interior through the exclusive Ombré Burr Walnut veneer and Piano Black stain finish. The handcrafted duo-tone split offers seven different Mulliner-inspired options, combining natural wood and smooth leather.
While there are several powertrain options at the base of the 2023 Bentley Bentayga, including the environmentally-conscious hybrid, the newly introduced V-8, and even a diesel, the Mulliner Edition only gets the most powerful 6.0 L Twin Turbo W-12, which makes 600 horsepower @ 5000. rpm. and 664 lb-ft @ 1350 rpm.
Naturally, it all connects to the AWD system. This vehicle is capable of towing over 7,000 pounds: more than enough capacity for your average crane needs.
Final Thoughts
The Bentayga Mulliner Edition is here for consumers who want more exclusivity from their driving experience. Just as the Bentley is not for the average car buyer, the Mulliner Edition is not for the typical Bentley client.
The Mulliner edition costs over $ 100,000 more than the base 2023 Bentley Bentayga model, and you won’t find any special rental deals on this one either. But if money isn’t an issue, and you have to get the best of the best, you won’t find a better option than Bentayga Mulliner.
2023 Bentley Bentayga Specs
Keeping up with the Joneses can be a tough feat if the proverbial family owns a 2023 Bentley Bentayga parked in the driveway.
This ultraluxury SUV offers all the comforts of a leather-filled living room plus tons of tech features, a trio of powerful engine options, and enough cargo space so you can take a few Montrachet chests home when the wine cellar needs to be refilled.
Supple upholstery, rich wood trim, and genuine metal accents combine with a modern infotainment touchscreen and wireless connectivity features. The Joneses really know how to treat themselves.
Apart from the decadent Rolls-Royce Cullinan, other luxury SUVs have a hard time stacking this Bentley in terms of comfort.
Bentley is updating the Bentayga style for 2023 with a stiffer grille, new taillights, and an updated wheel design. This SUV takes style from the new Continental GT coupe and the Flying Spur sedan.
The 2023 Bentley Bentayga cabin features a new 10.9-inch infotainment display, tweaked dashboard-style, Apple CarPlay compatibility, a revised rear-seat entertainment system, and a wireless smartphone charging pad.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Filled with fragrant leather, genuine wood trim, and luxurious metal accents, the 2023 Bentley Bentayga cabin remains true to its luxury brand. Bentley allows buyers to customize just about anything.
Buyers can select front and rear buckets, four seats, or they can select second-row three-row and third-row seats with two pop-up seats for seat seven. While the rear seats don’t feel as luxurious as Bentayga’s main rival – Rolls-Royce Cullinan – it still offers plenty of room for adult passengers to recline.
Several different colors of leather upholstery are available, such as two different pearl-faced Breitling dashboard clocks, a bottle cooler for rear-seat passengers, adjustable ambient interior lighting, and even a safe with a biometric lock and fingerprint reader.
Bentayga’s cargo space is very large, at least in the two-row version; We can fit nine handbags in there.
Infotainment and Connectivity
All 2023 Bentley Bentayga models come standard with a 10.9-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto navigation and integration.
The optional entertainment system consists of two 10.2-inch screens mounted on the headrests of the front seats.
With it, back seat passengers can surf the internet, interact with the 2023 Bentley Bentayga infotainment system or play movies. 12-speaker stereo is standard, but you can opt for Naim’s premium 20-speaker sound system.
- TRANSPORT TYPE
front-engine, all-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback - TESTED PRICES
$ 243,325 (base: $ 167,725) - MACHINE TYPE
- twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve V-8, aluminum block, and hood, direct fuel injection
- Transfers
- 3996 cc, in 244 cu
- Power
- 542 hp @ 6000 rpm
- Torque
- 568 lb-ft @ 1960 rpm
- TRANSFER
- 8-speed automatic with manual switching mode
- CHASSIS Suspension (F / R):
- Multi-link / multi-link (F / R) brakes: 15.7 inch ventilated disc / 15.0 inch ventilated disc
- Tires: Pirelli P Zero, 285 / 40ZR-22 (110Y) B
- DIMENSIONS
- Wheelbase: 117.9
- Inch Length: 202.4 inches
- Width: 78.7
- Inch Height: 68.6
- Inch Passenger volume: 109 cubic feet
- Cargo volume: 17 feet meters
- unloaded weight: 5438 pounds
- C / D TEST RESULTS
- Zero to 60 mph: 3.6 seconds
- From zero to 100 mph: 9.0 sec
- Zero to 130 mph: 16.1 sec
- Quick start, 5–60 mph: 4.7 seconds
- Top gear, 30-50 mph: 2.6 seconds
- Top gear, 50-70 mph: 3.3 seconds
- Standing ¼ mph: 12.1 seconds @ 115 mph
- Top speed (claim mfr): 180 mph
- Braking, 70–0 miles: 168 ft
- Road holding, 300 ft diameter * skidpad: 0.91 g
- Limited stability control
- FUEL ECONOMY C / D
- Observed: 16 mpg
- EPA FUEL ECONOMIC
- Combined / city / highway: 17/14/23 mpg
2023 Bentley Bentayga Engine
Bentley transmission and performance offers a wide variety of powertrains for 2023 Bentley Bentayga. In the lower class, you have a 443-hp hybrid setup with a turbocharged 3.0-liter V-6 and an electric motor. Then there’s the 542 hp twin-turbo V-8 engine.
We haven’t driven the first, but we can tell you that the latter emits a massive explosion en route to 60 mph, which it does in just 3.8 seconds. The 2023 Bentley Bentayga Speed ante up with the 626-hp W-12. Back in 2017, when Speed was making 600 ponies, this super powerhouse delivered a result of 3.6 seconds in our 60-mph test.
The W-12’s power delivery is smoother than that of the V-8, and its performance is noticeably stronger when it comes to passing maneuvers. Bentley claims that the 2023 Bentley Bentayga Speed, with a claimed top speed of 190 mph, is the fastest SUV in the world (although the Lamborghini Urus will probably say something about that).
Regardless of what’s under the hood, all Bentaygas use an eight-speed automatic transmission and come standard with all-wheel drive.
2023 Bentley Bentayga MPG and Fuel Economy
It should come as no surprise that the 2023 Bentley Bentayga Hybrid gets the best EPA fuel economy rating of its lineup. It also offers up to 18 miles of electric drive alone before the turbocharged V-6 starts.
The V-8-powered model’s rating of 14 mpg city, 23 mpg highway, and a 17 mpg combination isn’t bad for a big SUV, but the W-12 is.
This yields an estimated city of 12 mpg, highway 17 mpg, and a combined 14 mpg. That said, on our 200-mile highway fuel-efficient route, the 12-cylinder Bentayga surprised us with 23-mpg results.
2023 Bentley Bentayga MSRP
2023 Bentley Bentayga Cost We liked the V-8 model the most. While the powerful Speed W-12 engine adds excitement to the pace of this large SUV, its premium price over the V-8 is quite large.
We recommend sticking with the eight-cylinder model and adding some conveniences to it, such as adaptive suspension, rear-seat entertainment system, and the Naim 20-speaker stereo. And choosing the Tour Specs package will give you a suite of driver assistance features.
- V-8 $ 183,425
- First Edition $ 225,855
- Speed $ 251,425
2023 Bentley Bentayga Release Date
Bentley is not the brand you think electrification would relate to. The company’s 6.0-liter W12 engine is iconic, providing supple power in some of the brand’s high-end luxury cars. Most of the upper crust people will likely have little doubt about their monthly gas bills.
But even Bentley can’t escape the realities and current auto regulations, and the company hasn’t been quiet about it. At last year’s Geneva Motor Show, Bentley launched the Bentayga hybrid.
We also looked at testing the Bentley Continental GT plug-in hybrid. Now, according to a new report from Car and Driver, the company has a timeline for its electric plans with the company’s first electric vehicle debuting in 2025.
Alongside its first electric vehicle, Bentley plans to hybridize every model in its lineup – the Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Mulsanne. The company will likely use the same 3.0-liter turbocharged V6 engine in the 2023 Bentley Bentayga which is also rumored to be powered by the Continental GT hybrid.
Customers who are afraid that the hybrid will sterilize the brand need not worry. At Bentley Bentayga, the petrol-electric powertrain produces 443 horsepower (330 kilowatts) and 516 pound-feet (700 Newton-meters) of torque, propelling the massive SUV up to 62 miles per hour (100 kilometers per hour) in 5.5 seconds of a top speed of 158 mph (254 kph).
Plus, the additional torque boost from the 17.3-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery will feel great.
Car and Driver spoke with Bentley Head of sales and marketing Chris Craft about how the fully electric Bentley fits into the brand portfolio.
According to Craft, not only will luxury consumers be attracted to electric cars, but such vehicles will also uphold Bentley’s luxury ethos. The instant torque from the electric motor will make the acceleration beautiful.
Electric vehicles are still expensive to develop and sell, with many automakers struggling to make big profits from battery-powered vehicles.
Hybridized and electric vehicles at the luxury level make it easier for automakers to cover R&D costs while still collecting a healthy profit for every vehicle sold. Bentley, a brand known for its luxury heritage and prowess, dipped its toes in a hybrid before plunging headfirst into electric vehicles. Make sense.