Bentley Motors has announced a significant update to its forward-thinking Beyond100+ strategy, reflecting evolving global market and customer perspectives. The revised product roadmap, outlined by Chairman and CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, confirms the luxury marque’s commitment to electrification while maintaining powertrain flexibility.
The World’s First Luxury Urban SUV
Bentley’s first fully-electric car, designed to create an entirely new segment as the world’s first true Luxury Urban SUV, is moving quickly toward production.
- Launch and Delivery: The model is on track to be revealed towards the end of 2026, with deliveries to markets commencing during 2027.
- Size and Positioning: The unnamed car will be an incremental offering, measuring less than five metres in length.
- Technology Highlight: It promises industry-leading technology, including the capability of charging from 0 to 100 miles in less than seven minutes.
- Development Status: Development continues at pace, with pre-series (prototype) vehicles embarking on a global performance programme.
Dr. Walliser described the electric SUV as embodying Bentley’s vision for sustainable luxury and technological excellence, marking the beginning of an exciting new era.
Evolving Powertrain Roadmap
In a key strategic revision, Bentley has decided to extend the availability of hybrid and internal combustion-engined (ICE) models:
- Hybrid Extension: Hybridised Bentley models—currently including the Continental GT coupé, Convertible, and Flying Spur—will be available until at least 2035. This means Bentley’s previous target of being exclusively electric by 2035 could be extended.
- New Performance ICE Model: The company revealed that a new non-hybridised and limited production performance model would be announced before the end of this year. This follows the earlier addition of the Bentayga Speed to the range in 2025.
- Flexibility: Bentley continues to maintain powertrain flexibility, not ruling out further similarly-engined cars to follow in line with customer demand across global markets.
Reinvention of the Crewe ‘Dream Factory’
Central to the Beyond100+ strategy is the fundamental reinvention of the Crewe manufacturing infrastructure into the ‘Dream Factory’. This extensive, self-funded investment programme secures Bentley’s future at the site for the next generation of products:
- Sustainability: The historic Crewe site is already an industry-leading certified carbon neutral facility.
- Infrastructure: A new state-of-the-art Paint Shop is due to open in 2026, following the opening of a new Design Centre and Integrated Logistics Centre earlier in 2025. The oldest building, named A1, is being prepared to assemble Bentley’s first electric car.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
When is Bentley’s first fully electric model expected to be launched? The first fully-electric Luxury Urban SUV is on track to be launched towards the end of 2026, with deliveries beginning during 2027.
What is the defining technology feature of the new electric SUV? The electric SUV will feature industry-leading charging capability, enabling it to charge from 0 to 100 miles in less than seven minutes.
Has Bentley delayed its plan to go fully electric? Yes, Bentley has extended the offering of hybrid powertrains until at least 2035, meaning the previous target of being exclusively electric by that milestone could be extended.
What new combustion engine model will Bentley announce by the end of 2025? Bentley will announce a new non-hybridised and limited production performance model before the end of this year.
What is Bentley’s manufacturing site in Crewe being transformed into? The historic Crewe site is being reinvented into the ‘Dream Factory’, a next-generation, digital, flexible, and high-value manufacturing facility.
You can add more to this story by commenting below.
