Bentley teases its maiden electric car ahead of 2026 debut
Bentley has announced plans to launch its first-ever electric vehicle (EV), an urban SUV, by 2026. The upcoming model is part of Bentley's ambitious plan to introduce 10 new EV and plug-in hybrid models in the next decade. The company has also released a preview sketch of the car's roofline, calling it "the world's first true luxury urban SUV."
Bentley's electric SUV to create a new segment
Bentley's upcoming EV will create an entirely new segment in the automotive industry. The model will be designed, developed, and produced at Bentley's Crewe factory in the UK. According to Autocar UK, this new vehicle will be a "segment-straddling crossover" and will measure less than five meters in length, making it Bentley's smallest vehicle yet.
Bentley's electric SUV to share PPE architecture
The upcoming SUV will be underpinned by the Volkswagen Group's PPE bespoke electric platform, co-developed by Audi and Porsche. The platform also underpins the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric. However, Bentley boss Frank-Steffen Walliser clarified to Autocar UK that it would be "completely wrong" for Bentley to develop a model that was "anything like" one from Stuttgart-based firm Porsche.
Bentley's electric SUV to feature historic design cues
Bentley design chief Robin Page has said that the new model will carry many of the firm's historic design cues. However, it will also sport a new front design to reflect the absence of a combustion engine. Plus, extensive offerings from Bentley's Mulliner customization division are likely to play a major role in upping the luxury quotient of this model.
