When you think about the qualities expected from a Bentley model, any Bentley model, fuel efficiency is not high on the list. That's if it even makes the list. However, the first Bentayga Hybrids are being delivered and the British automaker says that it will be the first in a line of "electrified variants" marked to debut during the next four years. The launch of Bentley's first plug-in hybrid also coincides with its 100th anniversary and is being touted as part of the brand's transformation as it moves into its second century of business.

In reality, Bentley falls under the Volkswagen Group's umbrella, and the German corporation is working to get ahead of the curve as regulators across the globe pen stricter and stricter mileage and emissions regulations. That doesn't mean Bentley won't benefit from moving with technology into the future. It should help keep the brand fresh and appealing as it moves forward as well as adhering to new regulations.

"As we prepare for the next 100 years, we are investing significantly in new initiatives that reinforce our commitment to sustainability, as demonstrated by the visionary all-electric Bentley EXP 100 GT concept," says Peter Bosch, Bentley's member of the Board for Manufacturing,

Part of moving forward for Bentley will be slimming down on the weight of its traditionally hefty vehicles as well as offering downsized engines alongside electrified options. The Bentayga Hybrid uses an electric motor matched to a 3.0-liter, turbocharged V6 gasoline engine and, combined, they deliver around 516 lb-ft of torque. Bentley claims 80 mpg on the European WLTP testing standard, but US based EPA figures aren't available yet. Using the general rule of thumb, that should be around 66-68 mpg for the US though. We don't know when the Bentayga Hybrid will come to the US or pricing yet either, but in the UK it starts at £133,100, which is around $160,000.