British luxury brand Bentley has unveiled its first ground-up electric vehicle while also hinting that its internal combustion engine (ICE) collection will continue longer than previously projected.
According to a preview of its first battery-electric model, Bentley said that the future SUV, dubbed a ‘luxury urban SUV,’ would sit smaller than the Bentayga in size, with a sub-5-metre length and an agile turning radius appropriate for city manoeuvrability. Connected to a high-capacity charger, the marque claims the car will be able to add around 100 miles of range in just 6.5–7 minutes, a charging rate that would rank it among the fastest in its class.
With battery packs around 108 kWh and dual-motor all-wheel-drive systems akin to Porsche’s forthcoming Cayenne Electric, the new EV is expected to share components of the PPE platform created by Porsche and Audi. Porsche has declared a strategic turnaround in its product line, marking what it refers to as the final phase in its growing portfolio approach, and Plans to launch a New Combustion Model Series. Bentley’s R&D head says the vehicle seeks to combine the comfort of a Flying Spur with the agility of a Continental GT while maintaining a clear Bentley attitude. Bentley is rethinking its schedule for the phaseout of gasoline and diesel powertrains, even if this is a drive toward electrification. The initial aim of complete electrification by 2030 has been expanded: hybrid and ICE-powered vehicles will be offered at least until 2035 and beyond, depending on demand and regulatory development.
One of the causes of the postponement is the brand’s pointing to a lower demand for luxury EVs in many areas. Bentley is basically plotting a dual-track future whereby electric vehicles constitute a major growth pillar but legacy combustion technology continues to have a significant role in the following decade. The firm hopes to change without pushing its premium clientele into just battery-driven transportation with its first EV scheduled to arrive late in 2026 (deliveries in 2027). These components taken together represent a strategy geared to real-world luxury-buyer behaviour as well as technical advancements.
