Monday, October 5, 2026
NewsCrewe to Build Bentley's First Electric SUV as Brand Rethinks Electrification Target

Crewe to Build Bentley’s First Electric SUV as Brand Rethinks Electrification Target

Bentley confirms its first electric SUV for 2026 and extends combustion engine production amid hybrid demand.

  • Bentley’s first fully electric SUV will enter pre-series production ahead of a 2026 global launch.

  • ICE and hybrid models will remain in production through at least 2035, shifting the brand’s EV timeline.

  • Crewe factory upgrades continue with new facilities supporting next-generation vehicle production and sustainability goals.


Bentley has revised its Beyond100+ strategy to allow for continued production of internal combustion engine (ICE) and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) models beyond previous targets, citing continued global demand. The company confirmed that its first fully electric vehicle, a new urban SUV, will enter pre-series production ahead of a scheduled launch in late 2026.

The new EV, described as the world’s first “Luxury Urban SUV,” will be built in Crewe and delivered to markets beginning in 2027. The model, which will measure under five metres in length, will offer a charging capability that delivers 0 to 100 miles (160 km) of range in under seven minutes. Prototype units have begun global testing as development continues.

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While Bentley originally targeted 2035 to become an all-electric brand, that timeline is now under review. The company will continue to offer hybrid models at least through 2035. In 2025, Bentley added the ICE-powered Bentayga Speed to its model range and plans to reveal a new, limited-production ICE performance vehicle before the end of the year. Additional conventionally powered models may follow.

“By extending internal combustion-engined models and offering hybrid powertrains until at least 2035, we are ensuring that every Bentley customer can continue to experience the full breadth of our performance and craftsmanship,” said Chairman and CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser.

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Bentley is also continuing its transformation of the Crewe site into a next-generation, carbon-neutral manufacturing hub, dubbed the “Dream Factory.” The A1 building, the oldest at the site, is being prepared to assemble the company’s first EV. Earlier in 2025, Bentley completed a new Design Centre and an Integrated Logistics Centre. A new paint shop is scheduled to open in 2026 as part of the company’s largest self-funded site investment programme.

Bentley states that these updates are intended to reflect both market trends and customer preferences while maintaining the brand’s core attributes of performance, craftsmanship, and luxury.

 

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Matt St-Pierre
Matt St-Pierre
Trained as an Automotive Technician, Matt has two decades of automotive journalism under his belt. He’s done TV, radio, print and this thing called the internet. He’s an avid collector of many 4-wheeled things, all of them under 1,500 kg, holds a recently expired racing license and is a father of two. Life is beautiful. Send Matt an emai

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