Bentley says its first electrical car (EV), set to be unveiled in November this 12 months forward of a 2026 launch, will entice a spread of latest prospects to the model.
Chatting with CarExpert, Bentley head of product communications Mike Sayer make clear the corporate’s EV technique and positioning.
“I believe the great thing about the way in which we’re going about our technique is we’ve got a hybrid automotive right here that has all of the traits of a non-hybrid automotive with the advantages of a hybrid system, so that may attraction to a really broad spectrum of individuals,” Mr Sayer stated, referring to the model’s plug-in hybrid (PHEV) fashions.
“So the query you must ask shouldn’t be do we’ve got EV prospects now or are present Bentley prospects prepared to maneuver into an EV, however in two to 3 years time when our EV goes on sale, what does the market appear to be then? Each by way of loyal prospects and new prospects to the model, who our analysis reveals wish to come and expertise a Bentley if it’s a extra forward-thinking product.”
Bentley has been retaining a detailed eye on the Rolls-Royce Spectre, which was the primary ultra-luxury EV to hit the market.
Regardless of sluggish gross sales and lower-than-expected demand, Bentley’s competitor appears adamant it is going to proceed its electrification journey.
This view isn’t shared as a lot by Bentley, which intends to proceed to promote its V8 hybrid autos for the foreseeable future whereas it begins a sluggish migration to EVs. Earlier this 12 months, it revised its goal for an EV-only lineup from 2030 to 2033.
“The issue is twofold, it’s not simply how we engineer the automotive and afford the event, however how we take the purchasers on the journey as properly,” stated Mr Sayer.
“Regardless of the first EV is, it must be an excellent Bentley first after which it simply occurs to be an EV and that’s the problem that we’re engineering our manner by for the time being.”
Bentley’s first EV gained’t change any present mannequin, and can as an alternative be a wholly new providing for the model.
Mr Sayer says that given Bentley’s wealthy historical past and model credentials within the luxurious section, the migration to EVs shall be much less impactful than another extra performance-oriented producers.
“EV [powertrain] fits the automotive superbly. Silence, instantaneous torque and a easy powertrain, that’s what we’ve got strived for, for over a 100 years,” he stated.
“For us, the enduring a part of our powertrain has at all times been about instantaneous torque and never cylinder rely, it’s about how the engine feels and the way easy the automotive is to drive, so so long as we engineer that into regardless of the first EV goes to be, it’s going to be a winner.
“And in case you speak about different attributes that make a Bentley a Bentley, you might be speaking about authenticity of supplies, craftsmanship and design and there’s nothing standing in the way in which of all three of these issues being utilized to a automotive no matter powertrain.”
Whereas it doesn’t but supply an EV, Bentley has been rolling out a brand new V8 plug-in hybrid powertrain throughout its vary, which it shares with Porsche. It has additionally ditched its diesel and iconic W12 powertrains.