Bentley Continental range goes FlexFuel, hybrid drivetrain hinted

In a bid to improve its green image, Bentley has announced its entire Continental lineup will be FlexFuel capable for the 2011 model year. Bentley first debuted its FlexFuel technology in the Continental Supersports Coupe in 2009.

The FlexFuel designation means the entire 2011 Continental range will be able to run on gasoline, E85 bioethanol or any mix of the two fuels. The FlexFuel technology is being applied to the Continental's familiar 6.0L W12 engine.

The adoption of FlexFuel technology is an important step in Bentley's goal of reducing overall fleet emission by 15 percent by 2012. Bentley expects 50 percent of its 2010 sales to be FlexFuel capable vehicles, with that figure growing to 100 percent by 2012. Bentley also hopes to use cylinder-deactivation across its entire lineup by 2012.

Interestingly, Bentley's release also mentioned an "all-new powertrain which will deliver a 40% improvement in fuel economy." Bentley failed to release any other details on the new powertrain, but the 40 percent increase in fuel economy seems to imply a hybrid drivetrain. Previous reports have indicated Bentley is readying a hybrid version of its Continental for 2011.