Lastly, Bentley says it has discovered the successful system to giving an all-electric automobile the Bentley stamp of approval. It’ll scream luxurious and certain value a bloody fortune.
The British ultra-luxury model, owned by Volkswagen AG, is as soon as once more pushing again its goal to solely supply BEVs by 5 years to 2035, however says it’s launching a “luxurious city SUV” – its first all-electric automobile – in 2026.
Again in 2018, Bentley began making the transition with its Bentayga Hybrid, and now the model gives plug-in hybrid variations of the Continental GT and Flying spur.
Bentley, a model synonymous with lavish and highly effective automobiles with 12- and 8-cylinder engines that may value within the hundreds of thousands for particular editions, additionally mentioned it plans to supply a brand new EV or plug-in hybrid electrical automobile annually till 2035 – the corporate had initially focused the tip of this decade for going all electrical, however it has pushed that again by 5 years.
“To be trustworthy, there may be not a number of demand [for BEVs] from as we speak’s Bentley clients,” CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser mentioned throughout a press convention yesterday, as reported by Reuters.
However he’s not ruling out legislative adjustments and a brand new technology of customers who need a modern, costly EV.
“However we see there are new clients out that undoubtedly need to have a really trendy automotive.”
“Laws, for positive, is driving electrification … but additionally competitors,” Walliser mentioned.
He did add the caveat that the 2035 goal might shift much more, as some world areas are electrifying extra slowly. “Some elements of the world could also be even slower than 2035,” he mentioned. “We pay attention rigorously to our clients… and what they need to purchase.”
The corporate ended manufacturing of its famed W12 engine this yr, and now it focuses on PHEVs with 8- or 6-cylinder engines. And it says it’ll hold making PHEVs “so long as markets and clients demand it,” mentioned Matthias Rabe, head of Bentley’s analysis and improvement. He additionally famous that Bentley might proceed to launch new ICE autos within the years to come back as properly.
Bentley to launch its first all-electric automobile in 2026
Bentley’s first BEV was initially anticipated to be produced beginning subsequent yr. Former CEO Adrian Hallmark had mentioned prior that the plans to launch a brand new EV had been delayed as a result of software program points in addition to designing a automobile to Bentley’s exacting requirements, reasonably than market circumstances.
The corporate solely hinted on the form of the brand new EV with a sketch, which exhibits an analogous profile to the Bentayga SUV – for reference, the 2025 mannequin of the Bentayga begins at round $208,000. However it’ll be extra compact, Walliser famous, at beneath 5,000 mm (16.4 ft) in size, so related in dimension to the Porsche Cayenne or Audi Q7, and it’ll be constructed on the identical platform because the upcoming Porsche Cayenne EV.
Whereas Bentley didn’t share any statistics concerning the new mannequin, it did notice that vary and charging pace might be prime priorities. And naturally, clients can anticipate the Bentley signature craftsmanship which can be important to the model: “We don’t need to make simply any electrical automotive; we need to make a Bentley,” mentioned Walliser.
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