Bentley is set to introduce its first all-electric model by the end of 2026, marking a major step in its transition to electric mobility. The new model will be an ‘Urban SUV’ and forms part of the brand’s Beyond100+ strategy. Although the initial plan aimed for a quicker shift to all-electric vehicles (EVs), Bentley has adjusted its approach to include plug-in hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) as well. These hybrids, already popular with customers, will complement the new EVs set to arrive over the next five years.
The new Urban SUV will be built at Bentley’s iconic Pyms Lane facility in Crewe. It will be less than five meters long and will use the PPE platform developed jointly by Audi and Porsche. This platform, also used in the Audi Q6 e-tron, is expected to offer cutting-edge battery and chassis technology, including an 800V electrical system and dual-motor setup. Though Bentley has not yet confirmed the exact battery size, it is likely to adopt a similar system to those found in the Audi and Porsche models.
The Urban SUV will also feature Bentley’s evolving design language, which has been previewed in recent models like the Batur and Continental GT. Inside, the vehicle will offer a highly refined, luxurious cabin that stays true to the brand’s reputation for craftsmanship while integrating advanced technologies. CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser noted that the SUV is designed to be versatile, suited for both city driving and long-range journeys, and will appeal to a new generation of customers, though it will not replace any of Bentley’s current models.
In terms of design, the Urban SUV will maintain a traditional SUV profile with a more upright stance and a long bonnet, avoiding the sloped roofline often seen in more modern designs. This choice also means the vehicle will not use the VW Group’s newer SSP platform, but it will be just the first of five new models Bentley plans to introduce each year from 2027 onward. These models will feature both plug-in hybrid and all-electric powertrains, as part of Bentley’s ongoing commitment to electrification.
Before the arrival of the all-electric models, Bentley will launch a high-performance version of the Bentayga in 2025. This variant will feature a high-output internal combustion engine (ICE) without a plug-in hybrid system, in contrast to Porsche’s new Cayenne PHEV. The Bentayga will continue to use the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine in a high-output form, marking a final nod to traditional performance before Bentley fully transitions to an electric and hybrid lineup beginning in 2026. The brand’s goal is to become entirely electric by 2035, with a new electrified model launched every year over the next decade.
