Volkswagen brand Bentley has adopted FlexFuel technology across its entire lineup of Continental models.
Over half of the company’s 2010 production volume will now be FlexFuel compatible, including – for the first time – vehicles sold in North America.
In addition, at The Geneva Motor Show, Bentley announced a three-fold strategy: to reduce overall CO2 emissions by 15 per cent by 2012; to introduce a new powertrain which will, by itself deliver a 40 per cent improvement in fuel consumption; and a commitment that by 2012 its entire model range would be compatible with renewable fuels.
Biofuels can be sourced from crops such as sugar can and soyabean, or from secondary sources such as agricultural waste and forestry residues. As biofuels are not derived from fossil fuels, the CO2 released during combustion is reabsorbed by plants.
Bioethanol is often blended with petrol in a variety of percentages ranging from E10 (10 per cent bioethanol) to the most widely known E85, blended to a ratio of 85 per cent bioethanol and 15 per cent petrol to provide acceptable cold-start capability.
Bentley engines required significant modification to handle these new fuels and are fitted with a sensor to detect the blending ratio in real time to vary the engine mapping - ensuring power, torque and emissions remain at the same levels whatever fuel is used.
