- Bentley confirmed its first electric vehicle will arrive towards the end of this year.
- There are no hybrid or gas versions planned—those will be completely electric.
- The SUV will be built on the VW Group’s PPE platform.
Even amidst the ongoing uncertainty, Bentley is pressing ahead with its first fully electric vehicle. Described by the luxury automaker as an “Urban SUV,” the electric crossover is expected to arrive later this year—and unlike some of its competitors, it won’t reworked to accommodate an internal combustion engine.
Speaking to journalists at a recent roundtable discussion, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser said he was confident in the direction of the brand’s first electric vehicle. He confirmed that the company has “no intention” to add an internal combustion variant—range extender or plug-in hybrid—to its upcoming electric SUV, stressing that the model is designed to appeal to new customer groups while complementing Bentley’s existing combustion lineup.
“We are targeting and looking for new customers—it’s an addition to our existing business,” Walliser said. “I really believed we had a very attractive offer, and we did no intention adding an ICE engine or plug-in hybrid drivetrain. First, it’s not technically feasible, and second, it’s not part of our strategy.”
Rendering of the Bentley ‘Urban SUV’ by Motor1
Photo by: Theophilus Chin | Motor1
Walliser also confirmed that the vehicle is currently undergoing testing and is still on track for a full reveal before the end of the year. Bentley’s first electric vehicle will use the Volkswagen Group’s PPE electric vehicle platform, which already powers models such as the Audi Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan Electric.
Specific powertrain details have not been announced. However, in a previous interview, Walliser said the SUV’s charging performance was “unbelievably good.” At the roundtable, he reiterated that the vehicle should be able to cover about 100 miles in about seven minutes.
More details are expected towards the end of the year, when Bentley officially launches its first EV.
Motorcycle Pickup1: Bentley stands firm in its commitment to electrification. With many other automakers adding range-extend or plug-in-hybrid variants to their once pure electric vehicles, Bentley is confident it will have demand for its first electric vehicle.
