Bentley shares early details of its first EV
Bentley has revealed the first details of its debut all-electric model, which is due to arrive in 2027 as the marque’s most compact model.
The Crewe-based company has dubbed the unnamed newcomer a “luxury urban SUV” , and promises it will create “an entirely new segment” of car. Confirmed to measure up at under five metres long, the model will be the shortest model in Bentley’s line-up and is positioned beneath the Bentayga in its hierarchy.
Bentley’s all-electric SUV will ride on underpinnings derived from the Porsche/Audi-developed PPE EV platform, which is shared with the upcoming Porsche Cayenne Electric. Beyond the fact that its upcoming EV will be capable of charging from 0 to 100 miles of range in seven minutes, details about the new model’s performance were scant.
What we do know, though, is that its Porsche sibling produces anything between 400bhp and 805bhp – a figure that jumps to almost 1,000bhp with launch control engaged. The all-electric Cayenne is only available with a dual-motor, four-wheel-drive powertrain paired with a 108kWh battery returning a range of up to 373 miles.
The Bentley EV will take design cues from the EXP 15 concept from earlier this year. Bentley says this bold concept car will represent its “design vision for the future”.
At the Crewe event, Bentley’s CEO, Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, confirmed that Bentley’s first EV will arrived “towards the end of 2026” before deliveries start at an undisclosed date the following year.
The car marks the first in Bentley’s Beyond100+ strategy, which outlines its updated vision for an all-electric future from 2035 onwards. Prior to today’s announcement, Bentley’s initial target was to become fully electric by 2030.
Over the course of next decade, Bentley aims to build a fully-electric or plug-in hybrid model every year.
“Our first fully electric Bentley, the world’s first true luxury urban SUV, represents a bold step forward, it embodies our vision for sustainable luxury and technological excellence,” said Dr. Walliser. “With industry-leading charging capability and unmistakable Bentley character and design, it marks the beginning of an exciting new era for our brand – a future defined by innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability.”
Regarding Bentley’s decision to defer its date to go all-EV by five years, Dr. Walliser added: “Today’s updates to our Beyond100+ strategy reaffirm Bentley’s commitment to progress — responsibly and sustainably. We are evolving our product cadence to reflect the realities of a changing world and a dynamic marketplace.
“By extending introducing new internal combustion engined models, and offering hybrid powertrains until at least 2035, we are ensuring that every Bentley customer can continue to experience the full breadth of our performance and craftsmanship.”
When it goes on sale, Bentley’s all-electric “luxury urban SUV” will be built at its heavily re-developed Crewe plant. Rivals are expected to be similar offerings from Aston Martin, Ferrari, and Rolls-Royce.
