Having already wisely curbed its electrification strategy (in 2020 it confidently predicted that its first battery-powered model would go on sale in 2025 – this is clearly not the case), Bentley this week gave us a short newer and shinier. -term forecast: it will unveil its all-new BEV in 2026 before sales in 2027. And, in light of “today’s economic, market and legislative circumstances” (i.e. for better reflect real customer demand), it will continue to build PHEVs until at least 2035 – five years after initially announcing it would switch only to electric vehicles. How do you find these apples?

Since this means a long stay of execution for its newly adopted V8we like them very well. As expected, Bentley was also keen to point out that it now “predicts” the launch of a new PHEV or BEV model every year until 2035 – but on the assumption that its overall electrification at this scale of time has now become an “ambition” rather than an “ambition”. an impeccable guarantee shows how tricky such predictions have become.

Bentley is on firmer footing with confirmation that its new arrival will be a “luxury urban SUV”. For many, if not most, reading this, this may seem as welcome as finding out you’re spending your honeymoon in an ice hotel, but it’s clear (and not unreasonable) that Bentley wants its first-ever electric vehicle is a surefire hit – and whips Exceptionally wealthy people around environmentally conscious global cities (and China) in a large, very opulent car are probably as close as you can get to securing an immediate, healthy return on their initial investment. The reported level of customer interest in the new Range Rover Electric will certainly have been absorbed by Crewe.

The idea that the new model will “simultaneously create a whole new segment” can obviously be taken with a salt truck. No one appreciates a hand-stitched Bentley interior more than the ungrateful bastards at PH, but for all its talent for making luxury tangible, an expensive electric SUV is just an expensive electric SUV – especially one that’s aligned to share VW Group’s EPI platform. , which is currently found on the new Porsche Macan. We’re confident the automaker will deliver on its promise to make the result feel like a “real Bentley” – and with a range that suits its intended use case – but its claim to the title of “first real urban car of luxury in the world » The SUV is, at best, extremely tenuous.

Much less tenuous is Bentley’s commitment to pursuing “the largest self-funded site investment program in Bentley’s illustrious 105-year history.” This is of course already a work in progress, but it remains the cornerstone of the new Beyond100+ strategy, and the company calls the creation of the new design center, paint shop and assembly BEV is crucial to “securing the future” of its business. highly respected factory. Its first electric vehicle will be designed, developed and built in Crewe, alongside a refreshed range of Continental GT, Flying Spur and Bentayga.

“Beyond100+ becomes our flagship as we expand our ambitions beyond 2030, while maintaining our goal of a decarbonized future, including offering only fully electric cars from 2035, and strengthening our credentials as a creator British manufacturer of extraordinary cars for over a century and beyond. » reported Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, new chairman and CEO of Bentley.