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Bentley Hits Pause on EV Dreams, Doubles Down on Hybrid Bentayga for 2028

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There was a time—not long ago—when Bentley seemed ready to sprint headlong into an all-electric future. Five EVs by 2030, a battery-powered successor to the Bentayga, and a clean break from combustion. That plan, like so many ambitious electrification roadmaps, has now met reality. The new strategy? Slow down, recalibrate, and double down on plug-in hybrids.

At the center of that rethink sits the next-generation Bentley Bentayga, due in 2028. It won’t be the EV standard-bearer once envisioned. Instead, it will lead a new wave of Bentley plug-in hybrids—less a revolution, more a carefully judged evolution.

A Reality Check from Stuttgart

Bentley’s pivot isn’t happening in isolation. Parent group dynamics—and more specifically, delays at Porsche—have forced a rewrite. The much-anticipated SSP-based electric architecture, originally destined to underpin the Bentayga EV, has been pushed into the next decade at significant cost. That left Bentley with a choice: wait, or adapt.

Adapt it is.

Rather than sit on its hands, Bentley is shifting the next Bentayga onto the PPC platform—the same bones set to underpin the next Porsche Cayenne and future large Audi Q9. It’s a platform built for flexibility, capable of housing everything from straight-up combustion engines to next-gen plug-in hybrid systems.

The Bridge to Electric—Whether You Like It or Not

Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser isn’t shy about the reasoning. The demand for high-end EVs hasn’t quite matched the industry’s early optimism, and forcing customers into full electrification risks alienating a loyal base.

That base, crucially, loves the Bentayga. It’s been the brand’s best-seller since its 2015 debut, accounting for roughly half of all sales. In other words, you don’t mess with a winning formula—you refine it.

So the next Bentayga will lean heavily on a new-generation plug-in hybrid setup, likely centered around a 3.0-liter V6. Expect power outputs in the same ballpark as today’s 456 horsepower, but with a meaningful upgrade in electric-only range over the current car’s modest 30 miles. New battery tech and updated electronics should push it into genuinely usable EV territory—finally.

Not Quite Done with Gasoline

For all the electrified talk, Bentley isn’t quite ready to close the book on internal combustion. Select markets—particularly the U.S.—will continue to see pure gasoline variants, likely including V8-powered models. Limited-run specials could even sneak through in stricter regions, depending on legislation.

It’s a pragmatic approach, if not a romantic one. The days of unfiltered, twelve-cylinder excess may be numbered, but Bentley isn’t about to abandon its heritage overnight.

Design: Concept to Reality

Visually, the new Bentayga will take cues from the EXP 15 concept, signaling a subtle but meaningful shift in Bentley’s design language. Expect sharper surfacing, more pronounced lighting signatures, and a closer visual relationship to the upcoming “Urban SUV”—a smaller, electric-leaning model aimed squarely at rivals like the Cayenne Electric and Lotus Eletre.

Underneath, the new architecture brings more than just powertrain flexibility. Advanced air suspension with active ride control, the latest driver-assistance systems, and continued support for the Extended Wheelbase variant—all but guaranteed to remain a favorite among chauffeur-driven buyers—will ensure the Bentayga stays at the sharp end of the luxury SUV class.

The EV Isn’t Dead—Just Delayed

Bentley’s first EV, the so-called “Luxury Urban EV,” is still very much on track, with a reveal expected later this year and deliveries beginning in 2027. But if you’re waiting for a fully electric Bentayga equivalent, you’ll need patience—it won’t arrive until after 2030.

And when it does, it’ll likely pack serious firepower. Sharing PPE architecture with electric Porsche models, outputs north of 1000 horsepower aren’t off the table. Range figures approaching 400 miles? Also likely.

The Big Picture

What Bentley is doing here isn’t retreat—it’s recalibration. The brand is betting that plug-in hybrids, not full EVs, are the right answer for the next decade. It’s a hedge against uncertain demand, evolving legislation, and the simple reality that even ultra-luxury buyers aren’t all ready to go fully electric.

The next Bentayga, then, won’t be a revolution. But it might be something more important: exactly what the market is willing to buy.

Source: Autocar

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Bentley Bentayga EWB Gets a Candy-Coated Makeover by Mulliner

In the realm of ultra-luxury SUVs, few names command the same reverence as the Bentley Bentayga. Already available with a trio of potent powertrains—including a twin-turbo V8, a powerhouse W12, and a refined plug-in hybrid V6—the Bentayga has never lacked performance or presence. Add to that a plush, hand-crafted interior and bold exterior lines, and you have a vehicle that redefines what it means to drive (or be driven in) style.

But for some, even Bentley’s standard opulence doesn’t quite cut it. Enter Mulliner, Bentley’s in-house bespoke commissioning division, where imagination meets engineering to produce truly one-of-a-kind creations. And if you thought the Bentayga was already rarefied territory, Mulliner pushes it into a new stratosphere.

Bentley reports that 70 percent of its customers now choose at least one Mulliner feature—an impressive figure, especially when you consider the standard configuration already offers a staggering 46 billion possible combinations of trims and colors. The Mulliner catalog boasts 111 curated exterior paints, but those seeking true exclusivity can opt for a completely custom, one-off hue. Naturally, exclusivity doesn’t come cheap.

One recent commission, however, takes personalization to dazzling new heights. A U.S.-based client tasked Mulliner with crafting an extended-wheelbase Bentayga that’s equal parts luxury limousine and bold personal statement. The result? A head-turning Candy Pink Bentayga, finished with the Blackline Specification—a package that replaces the standard chrome elements with sleek black detailing. From the grille and air intakes to the roof rails and tailpipes, this Bentayga delivers contrast with confidence.

Inside, the artistry continues. A rich sea of black leather upholstery is elegantly punctuated with Cherry Blossom stitching and accents, mirroring the bold exterior. This Bentayga is no mere showpiece, either—its 22-way adjustable airline seats offer heating, cooling, and one of the most advanced massage systems ever fitted to a production vehicle. Bentley doesn’t call it “the most advanced seat ever fitted to a car” lightly.

Rear passengers are treated to an experience more akin to a private jet than an SUV. A rear drinks cooler houses fine wines or champagne, ready to be enjoyed from the included crystal flutes. And for the audiophiles, a Bang & Olufsen sound system delivers an immersive listening experience on par with the world’s best home audio setups.

Bentley hasn’t revealed how much this custom pink chariot cost its proud new owner—but with options like these, the final price likely rivals a down payment on a luxury home.

The Candy Pink Bentayga may not be to everyone’s taste, but that’s the point. In an automotive world saturated with sameness, Mulliner offers an escape—proof that in the right hands, even excess can be elevated to an art form.

Source: Bentley

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Bentley Bentayga EWB Gets a Candy-Coated Makeover by Mulliner
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Bentley is developing a new crossover that will debut in 2026

Bentley will unveil its new electric crossover in 2026, measuring under five meters in length, making it suitable for maneuvering in European cities. The name is currently unknown, but some information suggests that the decision will be between Mayon and Barnato, registered in the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office).

The car will be positioned below the Bentayga model but with a slightly more dynamic character, and will not have a gasoline version.

When it comes to the name of the future model, Barnato is the surname of one of the legendary “Bentley Boys” from the 1920s. Woolfa Barnato is a three-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and an investor who saved Bentley in difficult times. Therefore, many believe that his name is one of the possible ones with which Bentley would pay tribute to this gentleman.

Another choice could be the name Mayon. Mayon is the name of a volcano in the Philippines. This could be the brand’s first choice because it fits perfectly with their concept. The Bentley Bentayga is named after Roque Bentayga, a rock in the Canary Islands, so the name of the active volcano could be a reference to the explosiveness of the new electric crossover.

Source: Reuters