At this year’s Beijing Auto Show Bentley will unveil the first application of its brand-new hybrid powertrain, set to go into production in 2017 in the Bentley SUV. The Beijing-bound Bentley Hybrid Concept is based on the brand’s flagship luxury saloon, the Mulsanne.

Bentley is the first super luxury brand to adopt hybrid power. They say by end of the decade at least 90% of their production cars will be available as a plug-in hybrid. The plug-in hybrid system they have come up with will offer a power increase of up to 25% together with a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions. It also provides 50 km of emissions-free electric driving.

Bentley Hybrid Concept is distinguished over the standard models thanks to a whole lot of copper. It gets copper exterior and interior styling elements, including copper details to the headlamps, radiator shell bezel, brake calipers, feature line details and badges. Inside, you find copper inserts to the hand-crafted veneers fascias, switch bezels and instruments, as well as copper cross?stitching to the Mulliner Driving Specification diamond-quilted upholstery.

Bentley has not yet revealed the technical details and performance numbers of the hybrid system. The pictures they have released only confirm it is based on the 6¾ engine.

Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, Chairman and Chief Executive of Bentley Motors, comments: “There is no doubt that plug-in hybrid technology is true to Bentley’s values of outstanding luxury and effortless performance. Combining our renowned engines with electric power reinforces and enhances both principles, and so we will gradually introduce this powertrain across our model range.”