Bentley has pushed again its plans to have its whole lineup be totally electrical solely from 2030 to 2035, however the model remains to be working arduous on its first EV manufacturing mannequin, which will probably be revealed in 2026 and go on sale in 2027. Not solely will the brand new electrical SUV be in a section that Bentley has by no means competed in earlier than, it is going to even be the corporate’s smallest providing ever — and I hope extra high-end luxurious manufacturers comply with swimsuit.
The launched teaser reveals the silhouette and main character traces of the EV, which Bentley describes as being the world’s first “Luxurious City SUV” that may create a brand new section. It is going to be designed, developed and constructed at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, and from the teaser it ought to seem like a smaller Bentayga. In keeping with Autocar, who attended a web-based briefing concerning the mannequin, newly appointed CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser introduced the brand new mannequin will probably be lower than 5 meters lengthy (196.9 inches), so at the very least half a foot shorter than a Bentayga. It can nonetheless very a lot be a Bentley regardless of its comparatively compact dimension, as Autocar reported:
“This primary BEV is unquestionably a milestone for Bentley,” mentioned Walliser. “Because the Continental GT and the Bentayga, again within the days, actually outlined a identified sector, a brand new section, the place no competitors was, in order that’s once more a activity for this primary EV. It won’t change a automotive: it will likely be an extra automotive in our fleet, and it will likely be one thing actually completely different to what we provide at this time.”
Specializing in a luxurious SUV for city use will assist to offset the additional weight and dimension required by the batteries in an EV. Whereas the corporate has but to offer agency particulars of the mannequin’s vary, Bentley technical boss Matthias Rabe mentioned: “No buyer will complain about vary.” He added: “For us it’s additionally essential that the vary is nice beneath regular driving situations, not simply with a continuing low pace, but in addition with greater speeds.”
Rabe additionally promised: “We don’t simply wish to create any electrical automotive. It needs to be a real Bentley.” He mentioned the agency had regarded to its heritage fleet “to essentially be taught what makes a Bentley a Bentley, from the driving feeling and all of the senses of that automotive. We’ll use that to create our first electrical Bentley, so the sound and all that will probably be typical Bentley. We’re actually impressed and enthusiastic about that. It is going to be a real Bentley.”
As regards to sound, Rabe mentioned that “we’re all automotive guys and sound is extraordinarily essential, nevertheless it has to come back naturally”, ruling out the introduction of artificial engine noises. However he hinted that the agency is engaged on “one thing in a really fascinating method for sound. I can’t say extra as a result of no person else is doing it proper now. It is going to be actually thrilling.”
This new SUV will use the identical Premium Platform Electrical (PPE) platform that was co-developed by Audi and Porsche, underpinning present fashions just like the Audi A6 E-Tron, Q6 E-Tron and Porsche Macan EV, plus future ones just like the next-gen Cayenne and different higher-end Volkswagen Group EVs. It will make sense that the Bentley could be associated to the Macan EV, because the Flying Spur and Continental GT are to Porsche’s Panamera, particularly as the brand new Macan is just below 5 meters lengthy. Walliser promised to Autocar that “…it could be ‘utterly fallacious’ for Bentley to develop a mannequin that was ‘something like’ one which the Stuttgart-based agency would produce.” The presently Bentleys don’t really feel like Porsches in any respect, so I’m assured this new EV gained’t simply be a slapdash rebadge job.
It’s fascinating that Bentley goes this route, as an alternative of making large ultra-luxury EVs like its rivals. Vehicles just like the Cadillac Celestiq, Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV and Rolls-Royce Spectre profit from their electrical powertrains and excessive pricetags, and Bentley simply might’ve made its first EV a humungous coupe or sedan. I believe that is the fitting transfer, although. Driving an enormous automotive within the metropolis is a ache within the ass, whether or not you’re in a extra car-friendly one like Los Angeles or a complete nightmare like New York Metropolis or Paris. Why can’t there be tremendous luxurious vehicles that occur to be small, too?
Some manufacturers have toyed with this concept. Mini had the Goodwood particular version, which had a brilliant good inside constructed and trimmed by Rolls-Royce, however on the finish of the day it was nonetheless only a Mini. I am keen on the Aston Martin Cygnet, nevertheless it regardless of its leather-covered cabin, it was nonetheless only a Toyota supermini. Yeah, luxurious manufacturers provide small entry-level vehicles just like the Mercedes A-Class or BMW 1 Sequence, however these are a far cry from an S-Class or 7 Sequence. As a lot as I really like the Vary Rover Evoque, it’s not the identical as an enormous physique Vary Rover. Porsche is the primary firm to essentially nail downsizing with out dilution with the Macan, however that’s extra of a efficiency mannequin than an outright luxurious one.
You shouldn’t have to surrender opulence and engineering since you need a automotive with a smaller footprint that’s simpler to park. I get wanting the presence and magnificence of an enormous automotive, however there’s no cause we are able to’t have that type in a smaller package deal. I’m you, Rolls-Royces and Aston Martins and Maybachs of the world. Please, proceed to construct the ridiculous machines we love you for, however attempt dipping your toes into the world of small vehicles. I wish to stroll by means of an elegant neighborhood and see a street-parked, beat-up metropolis automotive with an inside nicer than my home. I see tons of Bentaygas with damaged physique panels and curbed wheels anyway. Possibly a smaller automotive would truly be handled higher within the huge metropolis.
