Bentley confirms first EV as “luxurious city SUV”

• First Bentley EV due in 2026
• First EV can be an SUV smaller than the Bentayga
• Bentley goals to develop into absolutely electrical model by 2035

Bentley has scaled again its electrification plans within the face of slower than anticipated progress in demand for electrical automobiles however will nonetheless launch a car powered solely by batteries by the beforehand introduced date of 2026, CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser stated throughout a press convention held on Thursday.

Bentley solely two years in the past was planning to launch its first EV by the center of the last decade and comply with it up with a new EV yearly for the following 4 years, with a view to develop into a completely electrical model by 2030.

Nevertheless, the automaker now plans to launch simply the one EV, confirmed by Walliser on Thursday as an SUV, and can add extra relying on how the market turns. Walliser stated Bentley is open to launching a brand new EV or plug-in hybrid yearly after the primary EV, and at the moment targets a change to a completely electrical lineup by 2035.

Through the convention, Matthias Rabe, Bentley’s head of engineering, stated Bentley EVs will solely use devoted EV platforms, so there will not be any fashions providing the selection of electrical or plug-in hybrid powertrains. In accordance with him, the packaging calls for are simply so totally different that compromises would must be made.

Frank-Steffen Walliser

This implies Bentley’s debut EV will not be associated to some other Bentley mannequin. It is going to be a brand new mannequin line, and is described by Walliser as a “luxurious city SUV.” It’ll measure lower than 197 inches lengthy, which is able to make it smaller than the Bentayga which measures 202 inches nostril to tail, and be extra agile than a typical Bentley. In accordance with Walliser, this can make it simpler to drive in city areas and is meant to draw patrons which might be new to the model.

Walliser has beforehand expressed that almost all of Bentley’s current clients don’t need EVs, however that there is additionally a phase of patrons on the market on the lookout for high-end EVs. For these patrons, he stated, it is about the entire expertise, not simply the drivetrain.

Only a few particular particulars on the primary EV have been revealed in the course of the convention, however Rabe revealed that there can be distinct sound that the car makes. He stated the car will not have an artificial sound, like what many different automakers are doing, however as an alternative can have a novel setup that “nobody is doing.” He additionally stated the EV can have adequate vary, and that Bentley will focus extra on delivering a really quick charging velocity.