Bentley’s first electric Urban SUV will be revealed later in 2026, featuring a length under 5 meters to target urban luxury buyers while promising record acceleration and ultra-fast charging. This compact EV, spied in winter testing, shares the Porsche PPE platform and aims to blend Bentley comfort with superior performance, even as the brand delays full electrification beyond 2035.
Customer deliveries are slated for 2027, positioning it as a new segment alongside the larger Bentayga rather than a replacement.
Bentley Background: Luxury Leader Adapts to Electrification
Bentley Motors, owned by Volkswagen Group, has built its reputation on ultra-luxury vehicles like the Bentayga SUV and Flying Spur sedan. The brand’s Beyond100 strategy, updated to Beyond100+ at the end of 2025, originally targeted full electrification by 2030 but now extends to after 2035 due to strong demand for plug-in hybrids (PHEVs).
This shift includes extending PHEV lifecycles through 2035 and ending W12 engine production, with models like the Continental GT switching to Ultra Performance V8 hybrids. Bentley’s Crewe headquarters, already carbon-neutral, is transforming into a ‘Dream Factory’ for EVs and PHEVs, focusing on in-house development. New CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser calls it a ‘major transformative plan’ balancing luxury and sustainability amid economic and regulatory pressures.
The Urban SUV fits this strategy by entering the electric market without cannibalizing existing lines, targeting city dwellers in places like London or Rome who need street-parkable luxury.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Platform | Premium PPE (Porsche Premium Electric Platform) with 800V architecture |
| Length | Under 5 meters (shorter than 5.1m Bentayga) |
| Powertrain | Dual electric motors; up to 1000bhp estimated from Cayenne EV upper-end |
| 0-62mph | Faster than 3.2 seconds (best in Bentley history) |
| Battery | Up to 112kWh (speculative, from Cayenne EV) |
| Charging | 400kW capable; 100 miles in under 7 minutes |
| Wheels (prototype) | 22 inches |
| Suspension | Air suspension with dual-valve dampers; optional Active Ride |
| Reveal | Late 2026 |
| Deliveries | 2027 |
Note: Power, battery, and range figures are estimates based on shared Cayenne EV tech; official specs unconfirmed.
Design: Modern Bentley with Urban Focus
Winter testing prototypes reveal a cleaner look than earlier camouflaged mules. The front features single-unit headlights inspired by the Batur, with four LEDs akin to Porsche setups, plus air intakes for cooling and a central radar. The upright nose draws from the EXP15 concept, with a long bonnet, compact overhang, and raked windscreen for aerodynamics—potentially including frunk storage.
At under 5 meters, it adopts a two-box shape with a long roofline to the rear, high wheel arches, and a low body stance on 22-inch wheels with snow tires. Frameless windows mark a first for Bentley SUVs, and intakes lift at edges like the EXP15. R&D chief Matthias Rabe promises comfort like the Flying Spur, agility like the Continental GT, and Bentley-best acceleration.
Interiors remain hidden, but expect opulent leather, wood, and metals from Crewe craftsmanship, paired with Porsche-derived digital interfaces like a vertical center screen. Mulliner customization will enable bespoke builds.
Performance and Tech: Fast-Charging Luxury
Built on the PPE platform shared with the Porsche Cayenne EV, the Urban SUV integrates 800V tech, dual motors, and advanced chassis systems. Estimates suggest up to 1000bhp, outpacing the 3.2-second 0-62mph Continental GT hybrid. Charging hits 400kW, adding 100 miles in under 7 minutes.
Range is unconfirmed but speculated at 350-370 miles WLTP due to upright shape and weight, short of the Cayenne’s ~400 miles. Bentley rules out fake engine sounds, developing a unique EV audio profile. Chassis tech includes standard air suspension and optional Active Ride from Taycan/Panamera. Walliser emphasizes versatility for city or long-range use.
Strategy and Production: Crewe-Built EV Pioneer
Production at Pyms Lane, Crewe, ensures Bentley mastery in materials. The EV creates a new urban luxury segment, attracting fresh customers without replacing the Bentayga. Despite industry EV slowdowns, Bentley presses ahead, prioritizing fast-charging over max range.
Unanswered questions persist: exact power outputs, pricing (likely over £200,000), precise range, and interior reveals. Will the ‘best acceleration’ claim hold against rivals like the Lotus Eletre?
Comparison: Bentley Urban SUV vs. Competitors
| Model | Length | Power (est.) | 0-62mph | Charging/Range (est.) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bentley Urban SUV | <5m | Up to 1000bhp | <3.2s | 400kW; 350-370mi |
| Porsche Cayenne EV Turbo | ~4.9m | 1140bhp (launch) | 2.5s | 400kW; ~400mi |
| Audi Q8 e-tron | 5.1m | 503bhp | 4.5s | 170kW; 300-350mi |
| Lotus Eletre | 5.0m | 905bhp | 2.95s | 350kW; 373mi |
The Urban SUV edges luxury over Porsche’s sportier Cayenne EV while matching speed; it outpowers Audi but trails Lotus in confirmed range. Pricing and bespoke options will differentiate it.
Verdict
Bentley’s Urban SUV delivers on sustainable luxury with proven PPE tech, urban sizing, and bold performance claims, ideal for affluent city drivers seeking Bentayga refinement in a parkable package. Skeptics note unconfirmed specs and range compromises from its upright design, but winter prototypes signal real progress—watch for the late-2026 reveal to clarify if it redefines EV luxury or merely adapts it.
