Bentley Revises Electrification Timeline, Confirms New ICE Model and Luxury Urban SUV

Brickinfo News Agency – Bentley Motors has announced a significant update to its Beyond100+ strategy, adjusting its product cadence in response to evolving customer demand and market dynamics. The luxury car manufacturer, headquartered in Crewe, revealed it would extend the availability of both internal combustion engine (ICE) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models, potentially moving back its previous target of an exclusively electric lineup by 2035. Simultaneously, the company confirmed that its first fully-electric vehicle, a groundbreaking Luxury Urban SUV, has entered its pre-series build phase ahead of its anticipated launch in late 2026.

The unnamed Luxury Urban SUV, which will be incremental to Bentley’s current range and measure less than five meters in length, is being designed, developed, and produced in Crewe. Development is proceeding rapidly, with prototype vehicles currently undergoing a global performance testing program. A key technological feature highlighted by the company is the vehicle’s industry-leading charging capability, which will allow it to replenish enough energy to travel 100 miles in less than seven minutes.

Addressing its non-electric portfolio, Bentley stated that its hybridised models—currently offered across the Continental GT coupe, Convertible, and Flying Spur lines—will remain available until at least 2035. This extension reflects what the company described as positive customer demand for its PHEV offerings. Furthermore, Bentley announced plans to launch a new non-hybridised, limited production performance model before the end of 2025, following the earlier addition of the Bentayga Speed to its ICE range this year. The brand signaled a commitment to maintaining powertrain flexibility in response to global customer preferences, suggesting that further similar-engined cars could follow.

Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, Chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, commented on the changes, stating, “Today’s updates to our Beyond100+ strategy reaffirm Bentley’s commitment to progress — responsibly and sustainably. We are evolving our product cadence to reflect the realities of a changing world and a dynamic marketplace. By extending introducing new internal combustion engined models, and offering hybrid powertrains until at least 2035, we are ensuring that every Bentley customer can continue to experience the full breadth of our performance and craftsmanship.” He added that the electric Luxury Urban SUV “represents a bold step forward… a future defined by innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability.”

The updated strategy also maintains the fundamental reinvention of the Crewe manufacturing site. This continuous, self-funded investment program—the largest in Bentley’s history—is transforming the 87-year-old facility into a next generation, digital, flexible, and high-value manufacturing operation, known internally as the ‘Dream Factory’. Preparations are underway in the oldest building, named A1, for the assembly of the first electric car. Key infrastructure investments include a new Design Centre and Integrated Logistics Centre, which opened earlier this year, and a new state-of-the-art Paint Shop scheduled to open in 2026.