Bentley's First-Ever EV to Debut in 2026 as a Luxury Urban SUV

🔋 Strategic Context & Beyond100+ Electrification

• In November 2024, Bentley unveiled its updated Beyond100+ strategy, announcing it will reveal a ground‑up battery electric vehicle (BEV) in 2026, shifting full-electric brand transition to 2035 (from the original target of 2030). (reuters.com)
• The company also plans to launch one electrified model (EV or PHEV) every year between 2026 and 2035. (reuters.com)
• Bentley will continue offering plug-in hybrids alongside combustion engines throughout the transition period. (reuters.com)

🚗 The “Luxury Urban SUV” – Size, Platform & Design

• Known internally as the “Luxury Urban SUV”, this first EV will be smaller than the Bentayga, under 5 metres (197 in) long, marrying premium Bentley proportions with increased urban agility. (caranddriver.com)
• Built on the VW Group’s PPE (Premium Platform Electric) platform—also underpinning Porsche Macan EV and Audi Q6 e‑tron—offering an 800 V architecture, dual motors, and potentially rear-wheel steering and adaptive air suspension. (autoexpress.co.uk)
• Design cues will echo Bentley's recent aesthetics (e.g., Batur, Continental GT), with a strong SUV profile: long bonnet, upright stance, sculpted haunches, sleek roofline. (carscoops.com)

🏭 Built at Crewe – Revamped & Future-Ready

• The Crewe factory will undergo a comprehensive upgrade:
  • New design studio, paint shop, and BEV assembly line.
  • Intended as a “dream factory” for Bentley’s electric future, with all models from 2026 designed and developed locally. (em.autocar.co.uk)

💡 Performance, Range & Driving Experience

• Specific power and battery specs remain under wraps. However, CEO Frank‑Steffen Walliser confirmed an emphasis on “amazing” range and “extraordinarily good” charging speeds. (motor1.com)
• Bentley also plans to introduce a bespoke EV “soundtrack”, ensuring the vehicle feels like a true Bentley despite its electric drivetrain. 

👥 Target Buyers & Brand Positioning

• This BEV is aimed at a new customer segment—younger, urban-centric buyers open to electrification—while maintaining appeal to existing clientele. (carscoops.com)
• labeled a “Luxury Urban SUV”, the model is seen as "creating an entirely new segment" in Bentley’s lineup. (topgear.com)

⚖️ Market & Competitive Landscape

• Positioned as a premium EV crossover, this SUV will rival upcoming luxury electric entries like the Porsche Macan EV, Range Rover EV, and higher-end Tesla Model Y.
• Bentley’s delayed shift to full electrification reflects broader industry recalibration, including re-prioritization of plug-in hybrids amid variations in EV adoption. (topgear.com, thetimes.co.uk)

📅 Timeline Summary

Year Milestone
| 2024  | Announces Beyond100+ strategy; first BEV SUV due 2026
| 2025  | Completion of Crewe plant transformation
| 2026  | Reveal of the Luxury Urban SUV BEV
| 2027  | Market launch of the SUV
| 2026–2035  | Yearly EV/PHEV model rollout
| 2035  | Full transition to BEV-only lineup

✅ Final Takeaway

Bentley’s first fully electric SUV in 2026 marks a strategic pivot. It combines:

• Premium design philosophy and handcrafted luxury,
• Modern BEV architecture with urban-friendly sizing,
• A bespoke Bentley EV experience—from sound design to ride quality,
• All backed by a retooled Crewe facility for in-house EV production,
• While preserving brand DNA for existing customers via hybrid models.

This flagship EV isn’t just an electric model—it’s a statement of Bentley’s evolution into the electrified luxury vehicle era.