Bentley has pushed again its plans to have its complete lineup be absolutely electrical solely from 2030 to 2035, however the model remains to be working onerous on its first EV manufacturing mannequin, which shall 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 would 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 strains of the EV, which Bentley describes as being the world’s first “Luxurious City SUV” that can create a brand new section. It will likely be designed, developed and constructed at Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, and from the teaser it ought to appear to be a smaller Bentayga. Based on Autocar, who attended an internet briefing concerning the mannequin, newly appointed CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser introduced the brand new mannequin shall be lower than 5 meters lengthy (196.9 inches), so at the very least half a foot shorter than a Bentayga. It is going to 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 process for this primary EV. It won’t change a automobile: it will likely be a further automobile in our fleet, and it will likely be one thing actually totally different to what we provide immediately.”
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 provide 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 vital that the vary is nice underneath regular driving situations, not simply with a continuing low velocity, but additionally with increased speeds.”
Rabe additionally promised: “We don’t simply need to create any electrical automobile. It must be a real Bentley.” He mentioned the agency had seemed to its heritage fleet “to essentially study what makes a Bentley a Bentley, from the driving feeling and all of the senses of that automobile. We’ll use that to create our first electrical Bentley, so the sound and all that shall be typical Bentley. We’re actually impressed and enthusiastic about that. It will likely be a real Bentley.”
With regards to sound, Rabe mentioned that “we’re all automobile guys and sound is extraordinarily vital, but it surely has to return naturally”, ruling out the introduction of artificial engine noises. However he hinted that the agency is engaged on “one thing in a really attention-grabbing means for sound. I can’t say extra as a result of no one else is doing it proper now. It will likely 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 might make sense that the Bentley can 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 will be ‘utterly mistaken’ for Bentley to develop a mannequin that was ‘something like’ one which the Stuttgart-based agency would produce.” The at present 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 attention-grabbing that Bentley goes this route, as an alternative of making big ultra-luxury EVs like its rivals. Vehicles just like the Cadillac Celestiq, Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV and Rolls-Royce Spectre benefit from their electrical powertrains and excessive pricetags, and Bentley simply may’ve made its first EV a humungous coupe or sedan. I believe that is the appropriate transfer, although. Driving a giant automobile 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 an excellent good inside constructed and trimmed by Rolls-Royce, however on the finish of the day it was nonetheless only a Mini. I like the Aston Martin Cygnet, but it surely regardless of its leather-covered cabin, it was nonetheless only a Toyota supermini. Yeah, luxurious manufacturers supply small entry-level vehicles just like the Mercedes A-Class or BMW 1 Collection, however these are a far cry from an S-Class or 7 Collection. As a lot as I like the Vary Rover Evoque, it’s not the identical as a giant 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 desire a automobile with a smaller footprint that’s simpler to park. I get wanting the presence and magnificence of a giant automobile, however there’s no cause we are able to’t have that fashion in a smaller package deal. I’m taking a look at 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 need to stroll by means of a classy neighborhood and see a street-parked, beat-up metropolis automobile with an inside nicer than my home. I see tons of Bentaygas with damaged physique panels and curbed wheels anyway. Possibly a smaller automobile would really be handled higher within the huge metropolis.
