Bentley All-Electric SUV Release Date, Specs News: British Automaker Considering Small Bentayga With Zero-Emissions Powertrain?
The Bentley Bentayga could be getting a smaller, all-electric sibling — if the latest reports are to be believed.
The British luxury automobile manufacturer has previously expressed plans to expand the Bentayga lineup and to release an electric vehicle. Now, it seems that executives are interested in combining these two goals via the addition of a small electric-only sports utility vehicle (SUV).
"I can assure you that Bentley — on the long term view — will not stay with one model only in the SUV lineup. We have clear indications that a smaller Bentayga as a Bentley SUV would find great acceptance," Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer told Automotive News.
To differentiate the small SUV from the Bentayga, Bentley revealed that they could equip it with an all-electric powertrain.
"If you are looking for such a car [small SUV] then we are looking to that in combination with the possibilities to go full electric," said Rolf Frech, Bentley's board member for engineering.
On the other hand, reports have also suggested that Bentley's first all-electric vehicle could be based on the EXP 10 Speed 6 hybrid concept car that was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show back in 2015.
While the addition of a smaller zero-emissions Bentayga is indeed exciting, it is not expected to arrive in the next few years. The earliest possible release date could be in 2020. Meanwhile, the automaker will focus on creating plug-in hybrid versions for the different Bentley models.
Bentley will first release the plug-in hybrid version of the Bentayga sometime in 2018 and it will be followed by the Continental GT, the Mulsanne and the Flying Spur. They will reportedly be powered by a V6 hybrid powertrain that is capable of up to 500 horsepower.
Bentley has not made an official statement regarding the existence of a small, all-electric Bentayga SUV so information should be taken with a grain of salt.
