Renewably Fuelled Bentley Bentayga EWB Sets Goodwood Record

Just before the Goodwood Festival of Speed kicked off, there was time for an, albeit unofficial, record-breaking run on the famous hill from a Bentley Bentayga EWB running on renewable fuel.

For safety reasons, the run was completed before the event and meaning the record could not be deemed official. The record in question was ‘fastest car with a trailer’, which saw the lightly modified Bentayga EWB towing 2.5 tonnes of straw in a specially prepared Williams trailer and completing the climb in just 1 minute 21 seconds. Why 2.5 tonnes of straw? Well, this is enough to create 1,100 miles worth of fuel that the Bentayga EWB and all other Bentleys can run on without modification. It meets all the standards and can work as a perfect replacement for normal pump fuel. All Bentleys at the Festival of Speed over the next four days are due to use second-generation renewable fuel, which uses waste materials that would otherwise be disposed of, avoiding the ‘food versus fuel’ issue associated with first-generation biofuels. The result is an expected 85% reduction in emissions.

The new Bentayga EWB has won critical acclaim, with particular praise for its performance and handling as well as exceptional space and luxury. Name EWB after the Electronic All Wheel Steering, which was first introduced by Bentley on the new Flying Spur, provides no compromise between high-speed and low-speed driving. It is powered by a 4.0-litre V8 petrol engine, offering supercar performance and equally impressive fuel economy. A top speed of 180mph and a 0-60mph time of 4.5 seconds for an SUV that excels in luxury and comfortability are notable.

Both the Bentayga EWB and its trailer are on display in the Cathedral Paddock at the Festival of Speed, as well as a short film that showcases its record breaking run up the hill.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures & Video: Bentley