the breakdown
- Bentley confirms its first EV is coming toward the end of this year.
- No hybrid or gas version is planned—it will be fully electric.
- The SUV will be built on VW Group’s PPE platform.
Even amid ongoing uncertainty, Bentley is plowing ahead with its first fully electric vehicle. Described by the luxury automaker as an "Urban SUV," the electric crossover is expected to arrive by the end of the year—and unlike some competitors, it won’t be reworked to accommodate an internal-combustion engine.
Speaking to journalists during a recent roundtable, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser said he was confident in the direction of the brand's first EV. He confirmed that the company has "no intention" of adding an internal-combustion variant—range extender or plug-in hybrid—to the upcoming electric SUV, emphasizing that the model is designed to attract a new group of customers while complementing Bentley’s existing combustion lineup.
"We are targeting and looking for new customers—that’s in addition to our current business," Walliser said. "I strongly believe we have a very interesting offer, and we have no intention of adding an ICE engine or plug-in hybrid drivetrain. First, it’s technically not feasible, and second, it’s not part of our strategy."
Walliser also confirmed that the vehicle is currently undergoing testing and remains on track for a full reveal before the end of the year. Bentley’s first EV will ride on the Volkswagen Group’s PPE electric vehicle platform, which already underpins models like the Audi Q6 E-Tron and the Porsche Macan Electric.
Specific powertrain details have yet to be announced. However, in a previous interview, Walliser said the SUV’s charging performance is "extraordinarily good." At the roundtable, he reiterated that the vehicle should be capable of recovering about 100 miles of range in roughly seven minutes.
More details are expected closer to the end of the year, when Bentley officially unveils its first EV.
Motor1's Take: Bentley is holding strong with its commitment to electrification. With so many other automakers adding range-extended or plug-in-hybrid variants to once-pure EVs, Bentley believes that it will have demand for its first EV.
Source: Bentley
