Bentley has launched its transition process towards fully electric mobility. Bentley’s first series production electric car will be ready to storm the market in 2025. A model described as “brutal” by senior officials of the exclusive British brand.
The brand Bentley It is no stranger to all the changes that are taking place in the automotive industry. The popular super-luxury car manufacturer has also started its own transition process towards fully electric mobility. At the moment it is already selling vehicles with plug-in hybrid technology (PHEV). However, the ultimate goal is neither more nor less than the addition of battery-powered electric cars to its range.
The Bentley’s first electric car will be in a position to assault the market in a matter of a few years. It is an officially confirmed model that will mark the start of a new chapter in the company’s history. Now, what is known about this future 100% electric Bentley? And what is equally important, what should we expect from this model described as “brutal” by senior brand officials? Let’s go into detail.
Bentley’s first electric car will have more than 1,000 hp
In an interview given to the media autonews, Adrian Hallmark himself, CEO of Bentley Motors, has made some very important statements that allow clearing up some of the unknowns about the future electric model. In Hallmark’s words, the Bentley’s first all-electric car will develop power of up to 1,419 hp
(1,400 hp).
Having the capacity to develop more than 1,000 horsepower, you will be able to accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in about 1.5 seconds. Therefore, we should expect that the sprint from 0 to 100 km/h can be done in less than 2 seconds. However, and although the benefits will be typical of a hypercar, Hallmark has made it clear that it will not be the main selling point of the model whose name is unknown today.
«For us it would not be the brutality of the acceleration that can define us. The main attribute of the new electric will be rather effortless overtaking performance. Most people enjoy acceleration from 50 to 120 km/h, or 50 to 240 km/h in Germany,” said Bentley’s CEO.
Hallmark also highlighted an important fact. And it is that having an extraordinary acceleration capacity is enjoyed for a short space of time. There is a risk that it will become an inconvenience for certain drivers: «From the point of view of acceleration from 0 to 96 km/h there are diminishing returns. The problem is that it is uncomfortable. The thrill of accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in less than 2 seconds is excellent about 10 times. Then it just becomes nauseating.” However, and through driving modes and/or profiles, the customer will have the ability to adapt the vehicle’s response to prioritize ride comfort or performance.
Production of Bentley’s first electric will start in 2025
Bentley has indicated that it will be available to start production of its first electric car in 2025. The design, development and manufacturing process will take place in Crewe (England). At the time Hallmark also assured that autonomy will exceed 480 kilometers. For this, the improvement of battery technology will be key and decisive.
“We know the battery, the performance of the battery. The final design is weeks or a couple of months away. It will be an additional product to the models we have today and will not compete with anything we do. We intend to create not only an electric vehicle, but also to shape a segment, “said the CEO of Bentley.
Another unknown today about Bentley’s first electric car is the body format. It is unknown if it will be an SUV, coupe or sedan. What Hallmark has highlighted is that the price will be above €250,000: “In terms of price, one of the electric vehicles will be more in that price range than Mulsanne than anything we have today. Must be like this”.
It will be built on the PPE platform (Premium Performance Electric) from Audi and Porsche. As for the cost of batteries, Hallmark went a step further, saying that they are relatively cheap: “The 12-cylinder engine costs about 10 times what the average engine in the average car, and the average battery is lower than that of our W12 engine. I can’t wait for the batteries, they are relatively cheap.”
Source: autonews