Bentley Motors has laid out a bold new chapter in its Beyond100+ strategy, announcing a refined product roadmap that blends electrification with extended internal-combustion flexibility. The updates, revealed during a live-streamed press conference from the evolving Crewe ‘Dream Factory’, reflect both market realities and the shifting priorities of Bentley’s global customer base.
At the heart of these announcements is Bentley’s first fully electric model — a groundbreaking Luxury Urban SUV that will inaugurate an entirely new segment for the marque. This landmark vehicle, which enters pre-series build this month, is slated for a full reveal in 2026 before reaching customers in 2027. Compact by Bentley standards at under five metres, it promises a pure Bentley driving experience, unrivalled craftsmanship, and headline-grabbing charging performance: 0–100 miles of range in under seven minutes.
As pre-series prototypes embark on their global performance testing programme, Bentley’s first EV is already demonstrating the technological leap expected from Crewe’s next-generation engineering. More importantly, it serves as a tangible marker of the brand’s direction — one that blends sustainability with the emotional, tactile qualities that define the Bentley experience.
A Broader, More Flexible Powertrain Future
While the Luxury Urban SUV signals Bentley’s commitment to electrification, the marque has also confirmed that internal combustion and hybridised powertrains will remain part of its portfolio for longer than initially planned.
Hybrid models across the Continental GT, GTC and Flying Spur ranges — in both High and Ultra-Performance Engine forms — will now be offered until at least 2035, meaning Bentley’s previous goal of being exclusively electric by that date may be extended. The decision stems from sustained global demand for plug-in hybrids, particularly in markets where electrification is progressing unevenly.
Earlier this year, the Bentayga Speed returned as a purely internal-combustion halo model. And in a further sign of its commitment to powertrain choice, Bentley confirmed that a limited-production, non-hybrid performance model will be unveiled before the end of 2025. Future similarly powered vehicles have not been ruled out.
This newfound flexibility demonstrates Bentley’s desire to meet customers where they are, rather than forcing an accelerated transition that may not align with regional infrastructure or cultural preference.
As Chairman and CEO Dr. Frank-Steffen Walliser remarked following the announcement:
“We are evolving our product cadence to reflect the realities of a changing world and a dynamic marketplace. By 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.
Our first fully electric Bentley represents a bold step forward… a future defined by innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability.”
The Crewe Dream Factory: A Reinvented Heart for a Reinvented Brand
Beyond products and powertrains, Bentley is deep into the most ambitious transformation of its Crewe headquarters in company history. The Dream Factory — the future birthplace of Bentley’s electric models — is progressing toward completion, redefining what high-value automotive manufacturing can look like.
The Crewe site, already a certified carbon neutral facility, is being reshaped through one of the largest self-funded investment programmes the brand has ever undertaken. Its oldest building, A1, is being prepared to house the final assembly of Bentley’s first EV, connecting decades of heritage with an electrified future.
A new state-of-the-art Paint Shop will open in 2026, joining the new Design Centre and Integrated Logistics Centre, both inaugurated earlier this year. Together, these facilities form the backbone of Bentley’s digitalised, flexible and sustainable manufacturing ecosystem — repositioning an 87-year-old site for the next generation of luxury mobility.
A Future Built on Craft, Choice and Technological Ambition
Bentley’s latest strategic update paints a picture of a brand that refuses to be pinned to a single narrative. Its future is electric, but not exclusively so. Its manufacturing is heritage-rich, yet boldly modernised. And its upcoming model portfolio — led by a category-defining Luxury Urban SUV — demonstrates that innovation can coexist with the artisanal quality customers expect from Crewe.
As the marque prepares for a decisive new era, one thing is clear: Bentley’s pursuit of sustainable luxury will be defined not by compromise, but by expansion — of technology, capability and customer choice.
