The Volkswagen Audi Group (VAG) appears to be on the verge of making its entire lineup completely electric. Bentley, one of the company’s most prestigious brands, is preparing to phase out internal combustion engines by the end of this decade. The first Electric Vehicle (EV) will be introduced in 2025 and will serve as a landmark for the new era.
According to a recent report, Bentley’s first electric vehicle will be an all-electric SUV based on the VAG’s Artemis platform. The project will be a partnership between Audi and Bentley, according to Adrian Hallmark, the CEO of Bentley.
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According to Hallmark, picking 2025 gives the company a reasonable time frame to meet its target of creating a first-of-its-kind ultra-luxurious and high-performance SUV.
“Weight is a challenge. However, battery power density is rapidly evolving, and we’re committed to making things lighter and more aerodynamic. And battery-electric vehicles are ideal for Bentley because they are quiet, effortless, have high torque, and deliver refined performance,” Hallmark added.
While Bentley’s high-torque and ultra-smooth W12 engines are the company’s crown jewel, Hallmark revealed that a radical paradigm shift is in place these days, requiring the company to quickly adjust to the new trend.
“Customer attitudes are shifting; 39% of Bentley owners are considering an electric vehicle as their next vehicle,” the company said.
Bentley revealed last year that by 2026, it would only market hybrids and electric vehicles and that internal combustion engines would be phased out entirely by 2023. Its E-SUV will be the company’s first significant move in this direction.
