[RahulNagaraj]

Bentley is said to be working on its first fully electric vehicle, which will come in the form of an SUV. According to media reports, the arrival of the all-new Bentley electric SUV will mark the brand's transition to an EV-only luxury car brand, phasing out IC-engines completely in the process.



Reports suggest that Bentley will collaborate with Audi for its first EV, scheduled to debut in 2025. The all-new electric SUV from Bentley will make use of the Volkswagen Group's Artemis platform, which is spearheaded by the German carmaker.



Bentley also states that while EVs do have weight concerns, the rapid advancement in technology by 2025 will allow them to make their EVs lighter and more aerodynamic.



Ahead of its fully-electric SUV debut in 2025, Bentley is also said to introduce plug-in hybrid versions of its Flying Spur and Continental GT. These models are expected to arrive by late-2021.

Source: carmagazine.co.uk

Link to Team-BHP news

[vinair]

Interesting developments! With this, what could be called a status symbol going forward? Tech or Tradition? What about reliability? Will an electric Bentley be more reliable (with fewer mechanical, mechatronic etc etc)? Why would anyone buy a electric Bentley over a new, cutting edge tech car (newer Tesla models or may a worthy competitor to Tesla in future!)??

[lamborghini]

Originally Posted by vinair

Interesting developments! With this, what could be called a status symbol going forward? Tech or Tradition? What about reliability? Will an electric Bentley be more reliable (with fewer mechanical, mechatronic etc etc)? Why would anyone buy a electric Bentley over a new, cutting edge tech car (newer Tesla models or may a worthy competitor to Tesla in future!)??

IMO, this will not really dampen the status value of the brand. If at all, it may elevate it just a little bit.
I believe that the target market for this car consist of people who are becoming increasingly conscious of the environment / want to be seen in the latest toy in the market (which includes the going green trend).
A few true enthusiasts may be disappointed - but they have alternatives in a similar price bracket.

I don't expect it to be much more reliable. Most of the breakdowns in these cars are due to the electricals / gadgets, not as much the engine.

And with the EV, the Bentley should be able to match most cutting edge cars like the Teslas in terms of technology, whilst retaining the Bentley charm.
It could however be a closer fight between the EQS Maybach (when & if they launch it) & the next gen EV Bentley Sedan (Flying Spur replacement?).

[GTO]

Originally Posted by vinair

Will an electric Bentley be more reliable (with fewer mechanical, mechatronic etc etc)? Why would anyone buy a electric Bentley over a new, cutting edge tech car (newer Tesla models or may a worthy competitor to Tesla in future!)??

Don't forget who owns Bentley = VW. VW is betting big on electric cars and is poised to pour billions of euros into the R&D of its electric powertrains. As VW has always been with their turbo-petrols, turbo-diesels and gearboxes, I expect them to be among the best when it comes to EV driveability & performance too. Just see what Porsche (a VW company) has achieved with the Taycan. And that is just their first attempt!

[vb-saan]

When it comes to EVs I think the differentiating factor (for the likes of Bentley) will be how they up the luxury quotient. Because from a power and range point of view, there won’t be much to differentiate with other (less luxurious) models. For e.g., A Model X can match or even better the 0-100 timings of a Bentley. They will be depending high on that sense of occasion aspect, like the Taycan.

[padmrajravi]

I think all these luxury manufacturers are phasing out IC engines too soon. In my opinion they should never be moving to completely electric power trains and should stay with plugin hybrids for the foreseeable future.

In 2025, all the poor guys like me will be trying to move to completely electric because of the sky rocketing fuel prices. At those times, luxury will be having an IC car or a plugin hybrid and not having to queue up for charging. I think the luxury manufacturers are getting it wrong. Poor guys should be driving pure electric cars. Rich guys should be driving plugin hybrids that can do both.

[Venkatesh]

Bentley previewed the design of its first pure-electric models.





Source

[Venkatesh]

Bentley’s first ever Battery-Powered Electric Vehicle (BEV) will be developed and built in the UK with the company committing to investing £2.5 billion in sustainability over the next ten years.

The first BEV is scheduled to roll off the production line in 2025.



Bentley’s Electrification Journey revealed

- By 2024, all three Bentley models will be available as luxury hybrid cars. Two of them – the Flying Spur and Bentayga – already are.

- In 2025, Bentley will launch its first fully electric vehicle. It will also be the first luxury car in the world to be carbon neutral over its entire life.

- Five-in-Five plan commits to new electric model each year from 2025 – all designed and developed in Crewe.

- Bentley will complete the transition to a carbon neutral, all-electric range by 2030.

Source