Auto Express 1652

BENTLEY is making headlines this week, after its announcement that it plans to go electrified-only by 2026, and pure electric-only by the end of the decade (page 10). That’s a bold target for a company with such traditional values, let alone one whose main models are still powered by V8 and W12 petrol engines. But Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark is not wrong in setting his sights high. Because this week’s magazine is packed with proof that when challenged, car company engineers can come up with fascinating innovations. Take Toyota’s GR Yaris, for example. You can read Steve Sutcliffe’s verdict on the car on page 24, but although our man has driven more hot hatchbacks in his time than he’d ever care to mention, even he is surprised (and yes, just a little…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn • Behind the wheel of Audi’s flagship electric model • 591bhp, 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and a 250-mile range AS landmark cars go, the new RS e-tron GT is quite a big one for Audi – perhaps its most important of the last 20 years. Not only is it Audi’s Tesla fighter, it’s also the first fully electric model to wear an RS badge and a car that will “shape the future of premium high performance” at the German company. Ahead of the car going on sale early next year, Auto Express joined Audi’s engineers for an early drive. Save for the sci-fi disguise, this is the very model that will arrive in showrooms in the spring. Having said that, if you really want your RS e-tron GT to look like the car…

BENTLEY is making headlines this week, after its announcement that it plans to go electrified-only by 2026, and pure electric-only by the end of the decade (page 10). That’s a bold target for a company with such traditional values, let alone one whose main models are still powered by V8 and W12 petrol engines. But Bentley boss Adrian Hallmark is not wrong in setting his sights high. Because this week’s magazine is packed with proof that when challenged, car company engineers can come up with fascinating innovations. Take Toyota’s GR Yaris, for example. You can read Steve Sutcliffe’s verdict on the car on page 24, but although our man has driven more hot hatchbacks in his time than he’d ever care to mention, even he is surprised (and yes, just…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn • Huge transformation outlined • Fully electric range by 2030 BENTLEY is to undergo the biggest transformation in its history after the British company confirmed that it will become an electric-only car maker by 2030. The announcement was made as part of the brand’s Beyond100 strategy, which outlines how Bentley will aim to become a ‘global leader in sustainable luxury mobility’. The firm is the world’s biggest producer of 12-cylinder engines, but will phase them out entirely over the next six years. In the short term, Bentley’s full product range will move towards plug-in hybrid powertrains. The Bentayga is currently the only plug-in model in the line-up, but the company has confirmed that two further PHEVs – expected to be the Continental GT and Flying Spur – will launch next year. Bentley’s first fully electric…

Jonathan_Burn@dennis.co.uk @Jonathan_burn • Behind the wheel of Audi’s flagship electric model • 591bhp, 0-62mph in 3.5 seconds and a 250-mile range AS landmark cars go, the new RS e-tron GT is quite a big one for Audi – perhaps its most important of the last 20 years. Not only is it Audi’s Tesla fighter, it’s also the first fully electric model to wear an RS badge and a car that will “shape the future of premium high performance” at the German company. Ahead of the car going on sale early next year, Auto Express joined Audi’s engineers for an early drive. Save for the sci-fi disguise, this is the very model that will arrive in showrooms in the spring. Having said that, if you really want your RS e-tron GT…

Luke_Wilkinson@dennis.co.uk @LT_Wilkinson • Update for seven-seat SUV • New mild-hybrid engines LAND ROVER has pulled the wraps off a facelifted version of the Discovery. The update features a series of cosmetic and technological tweaks inside and out, along with a revised range of mild-hybrid petrol and diesel engines. Exterior updates are fairly restrained, stretching to a pair of new matrix LED headlights, a revised front bumper with a new body-coloured insert and redesigned air intakes, and a new set of LED tail-lights. A fresh range of alloy wheels is offered, in 20, 21 and 22-inch sizes. One thing Land Rover’s engineers have left untouched is the car’s controversial offset rear number plate, although a repositioning of the Discovery name badge and new black trim surrounding the plate help to disguise the much-criticised design feature. The updates inside…