Bentley Motors has announced plans to extend the sale of its internal combustion-engine and plug-in hybrid cars until ‘at least’ 2035.
The announcement changes Bentley’s initial plans to go electric-only by 2035, and forms part of the brand’s Beyond100+ strategy.
It confirmed that it will continue selling cars like the Continental GT and Flying Spur until at least 2035, and possibly beyond that point. This will ultimately be driven by customer demand, and Bentley says its customers have shown considerable interest in its plug-in hybrid offerings.
Bentley also gave a first look at its maiden, still unnamed EV, which it brands as “the world’s first true luxury urban SUV.” It also shared a teaser shot of the finished production model hiding under a partly see-through cover, which reveals it will have horizontal daytime running lights and taillights.
The car will be equipped with industry-leading technology that includes the capability of charging from 0 – 100 miles in less than seven minutes. Development of the car continues at pace with pre-series, or prototype, vehicles embarking on a global performance programme.
Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser, chairman and CEO of Bentley Motors, said: “Today’s updates to our Beyond100+ strategy reaffirm Bentley’s commitment to progress — responsibly and sustainably. We are evolving our product cadence to reflect the realities of a changing world and a dynamic marketplace.
“By extending introducing new 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.”
Beyond100+ also includes a reinvention of the manufacturing infrastructure in Crew, and helps secure Bentley’s future there for the next generation of products and colleagues.
The company has already made strides in reinventing the historic Crewe site, creating what it calls an industry-leading certified carbon neutral facility.
The largest self-funded site investment programme in Bentley’s history continues with a new state-of-the-art Paint Shop due to open in 2026. This follows a new Design Centre and Integrated Logistics Centre, both opened earlier this year.
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