You know what’s synonymous with opulence? Usually nothing that’s good for the environment. While it might be lip service at best, perhaps the Bentley Flying Spur Hybrid is a small, but swift, step towards extravagance that’s slightly less damaging for mother nature.

While it represents the first time Crewe’s limo gets a little electrified boost, it’s only second in their line-up behind the Bentayga Hybrid.

With tons of torque on tap from the electric motor plug-in hybrid setup (PHEV), the usual V8 has been binned in favour of a smaller 2.9-litre twin-turbo V6 engine that churns out 416 PS and 550 Nm of torque on its own. Similarly to the packaging as the V8 is the placement of the two turbos and primary catalytic convertors within the V of the engine.

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The fuel injectors and spark plugs are located centrally within the combustion chamber for an optimal burn.

As for that electrified boost, the electric motor is sandwiched between the engine and transmission; the latter an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic unit. The motor contributes 136 PS and 400 Nm of torque. It’s fed by an 18-kWh lithium-ion battery that’s warrantied for 160,000 km or 8 years and feeds the motor a pure electric range of 41 km.

After usual witchcraft of combining engine and electric power outputs, Bentley states the combined output as 544 PS and 750 Nm; just a hair’s width off the V8’s numbers of 550 PS and 770 Nm of torque.

With the 8-speed dual-clutch gunning through the gears, the Flying Spur Hybrid will decimate the century sprint in 4.3-seconds and onto a top speed of 285 kph.

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The chauffeur can switch between three E Modes, EV Drive, Hybrid Mode and Hold Mode. EV Drive is the default mode and maximises the electric driving experience, making it perfect for running around the city or short trips.

Hybrid Mode maximises efficiency for longer journeys, taking into account data from the navigation system to calculate the best option. The navigation also allows the limo to engage engine coasting based on the GPS data.

For example, key in the destination into the navigation and the car will automatically select the best mode for every leg of the journey. It will reserve electric power for when you reach the city; where electric propulsion is most efficient.

Hold Mode is a balancing act between petrol and electric propulsion to maintain a higher battery charge. Essentially, this mode preserves electric power to deploy it when absolutely necessary, such as in Sport.

Cosmetically, it looks almost identical to its V8 or W12 siblings. The only giveaway would be the ‘Hybrid’ emblem on the front fender as well as a charging flap on the left rear fender.

Now if you’d like to contribute less pollution when being driven around, the Flying Spur Hybrid is yours from RM 945,000. Of course, that figure is only if you want to refrain from contributing to the government’s coffers. After all, the rich don’t be come rich by spending unnecessarily.

If you’re a responsible rich citizen (Langkawi millionaires excluded), the Flying Spur Hybrid starts at RM 2.3 million with all the duties and taxes tagged on.

Bentley KL assures us that more units are on the way seeing that the launch allocations have already found new homes.