Bentley’s First EV Spied Wanting Massive And In Cost

We’re about to cross one other title off the checklist of automakers with out an electrical automotive of their portfolios. Bentley’s inaugural EV will premiere later this yr, and within the meantime, prototype testing is in full swing on the Nürburgring. It’s by far our greatest look but on the upcoming SUV, positioned under the Bentayga by way of measurement. Nevertheless, it’ll nonetheless be practically 5 meters (196.8 inches) lengthy, so the “City SUV” nickname feels a bit compelled.

Though it’s absolutely cloaked in camouflage, the prototype’s form reveals a extra compact footprint than the Bentayga. How a lot of final yr’s EXP 15 Design Vision Concept is hiding beneath the disguise is difficult to inform at this stage, however the electrical SUV seems extra trendy than Crewe’s conventionally powered luxobarge. Then once more, that’s hardly shocking, contemplating the Bentayga is getting lengthy within the tooth, having been round since 2015.

Whereas some high-end manufacturers are getting chilly toes about launching electrical autos, Bentley isn’t backing away from dipping its toes into the EV pool. The brand new SUV is due by the top of the yr, and it gained’t be reengineered to accommodate combustion engines. That’s not even technically doable, because the PPE structure was developed strictly for zero-emission functions.

An informed guess suggests there shall be some commonalities with the equally sized Porsche Cayenne Electric, albeit with consolation and luxurious dialed up a notch. We’ve beforehand discovered it’ll be among the many fastest-charging EVs, which is smart, contemplating its Zuffenhausen cousin maxes out at 400 kW.

As a refresher, the Cayenne wants lower than 16 minutes to go from 10 to 80 p.c in splendid charging circumstances. Simply 10 minutes of charging permits 202 miles (325 kilometers) of vary within the WLTP cycle. As with the Porsche, it might make sense for Bentley to supply the electrical SUV with a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup as normal. Energy? A four-digit determine is extremely believable, given {that a} Cayenne Turbo has 1,140 hp on faucet.

Who’s the electrical Bentley for? Chairman and CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser has already expressed the corporate’s intent to draw new clients whereas persevering with to cater to its conventional clientele with gasoline and plug-in hybrid fashions. Autos with combustion engines will proceed effectively into the following decade, with a second-generation Bentayga set to reach within the coming years with a plug-in hybrid setup.

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Supply: Bentley

Motor1’s Take: Bentley has motive to be assured that its first EV will do effectively, not less than in the USA. Inside research carried out in Miami and Los Angeles confirmed that eight out of ten individuals would purchase the so-called City SUV.

However the automobile’s essential promoting level gained’t be its electrical drivetrain, however slightly that it’s the “subsequent Bentley,” in accordance with Mike Rocco, CEO of Bentley North America.