Lastly, Bentley says it has discovered the profitable method 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 provide 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 presents 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 thousands and 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 top of this decade for going all electrical, however it has pushed that again by 5 years.
“To be sincere, there may be not lots of demand [for BEVs] from right this moment’s Bentley prospects,” CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser mentioned throughout a press convention yesterday, as reported by Reuters.
However he isn’t ruling out legislative modifications and a brand new era of customers who need a modern, costly EV.
“However we see there are new prospects out that positively need to have a really fashionable automotive.”
“Laws, for certain, is driving electrification … but additionally competitors,” Walliser mentioned.
He did add the caveat that the 2035 goal might shift much more, as some international areas are electrifying extra slowly. “Some components of the world could also be even slower than 2035,” he mentioned. “We hear fastidiously to our prospects… and what they need to purchase.”
The corporate ended manufacturing of its famed W12 engine this 12 months, and now it focuses on PHEVs with 8- or 6-cylinder engines. And it says it’ll preserve making PHEVs “so long as markets and prospects demand it,” mentioned Matthias Rabe, head of Bentley’s analysis and improvement. He additionally famous that Bentley could proceed to launch new ICE autos within the years to return as nicely.
Bentley to launch its first all-electric automobile in 2026
Bentley’s first BEV was initially anticipated to be produced beginning subsequent 12 months. Former CEO Adrian Hallmark had mentioned prior that the plans to launch a brand new EV had been delayed on account of software program points in addition to designing a automobile to Bentley’s exacting requirements, quite than market situations.
The corporate solely hinted on the form of the brand new EV with a sketch, which exhibits an identical 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 below 5,000 mm (16.4 toes) 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 can be high priorities. And naturally, prospects 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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