New electric Bentley lined up for 2021 debut ~ station of gear

EXP 12 Speed 6e show car being used to gauge customer reaction to electric Bentley; will use Porsche Mission E tech

2017-03-07 18:00

Bentley is aiming to launch a 600bhp all-electric sports car by 2021 that’s capable of up to 310 miles on a single charge, Auto Express can reveal.

The British manufacturer chose the Geneva Motor Show to evaluate reaction to the idea of an electric Bentley with the new EXP 12 Speed 6e concept. Bentley boss Wolfgang Durheimer told us that the show car stands for “pure electric driving but in Bentley style” and that “electric driving does not have any limits with respect to luxury and performance”.

The new car is understood to be at least four years away from production, but Durheimer confirmed that a Bentley EV would be based on the same J1 platform that will underpin Porsche’s upcoming Mission E saloon, and will be four-wheel drive. “We would have an electric power of around 450kW (604bhp) and we can go 450-500km (up to 310 miles) without being recharged,” he elaborated.

• Geneva Motor Show 2017: news

Durheimer also added that Bentley was investing heavily in developing inductive charging and would do away with conventional cables, which are not deemed luxurious enough for customers. “Luxury and performance is not going to stop with electric drivetrains," said Durheimer. "To our customer base we say, ‘We have a good answer, don’t worry about it.'"

The electric Bentley will continue to adopt conventional design details such as a radiator grille and air vents, while the show car gave us a glimpse of “futuristic Bentley design DNA.” Durheimer also added that if Bentley were to do a two-seat roadster “this is how it would look”.

Before a full-electric model arrives, however, Bentley will introduce plug-in hybrid technology on all new models. The Bentayga SUV will be the first to feature a hybrid set-up, capable of up to 43 miles on electric power, while the new Continental GT that’s due by the end of the year will also be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.

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Jonathan Burn

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