Bentley Confirms First EV To Debut In Late 2026; Teases Limited-Run Continental GT SuperSport

British luxury carmaker Bentley confirmed that it will debut its first electric vehicle, a sub-5-metre ‘Luxury Urban SUV’, in late 2026. The company also confirmed that plug-in hybrid models would very much remain part of its line-up all the way up to 2035, with the previous plans to go EV-only by 2035 likely to be pushed back further.

Also read: Bentley EXP 15 Concept Unveiled; Previews Brand's First Electric Vehicle

First Bentley EV Debut In Late 2026; To Go On Sale In 2027

Commenting on the company’s first EV, Bentley Motors CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser said, “Our first fully electric Bentley, the world’s first true Luxury Urban SUV, represents a bold step forward; it embodies our vision for sustainable luxury and technological excellence. With industry-leading charging capability and unmistakable Bentley character and design, it marks the beginning of an exciting new era for our brand - a future defined by innovation, craftsmanship, and sustainability.”

The Bentley EV is expected to draw inspiration from the Bentley EXP15 concept unveiled earlier in the year.

As per reports, the new Bentley EV is expected to be based on a derivative of the VW Group’s new PPE electric platform that first debuted in the Audi Q6 & A6 e-trons and is also set to feature in the upcoming Cayenne Electric. Bentley has confirmed that the new models will be less than five metres long, suggesting it could be positioned below the Bentayga and will offer ‘industry-leading technology’, including rapid charging at a rate of 160 km in 7 minutes. Porsche has previously confirmed that the Cayenne Electric could charge at a peak rate of up to 400 kW.

Also read: Bentley India Opens First Showrooms In Mumbai, Bengaluru

On the design front, the new EV is expected to follow the same design direction as the new EXP15 concept that the brand unveiled earlier this year.

Bentley also confirmed that the first prototypes of the new EV have commenced testing on public roads, with the final production model set to debut late next year. Sales across global markets will commence in 2027.

PHEVs To Remain Till 2035; Pure Internal Combustion Cars To Live On As Limited-Production Specials

The second major announcement was the continuation of plug-in hybrid powertrain options as part of Bentley’s powertrain line-up till 2035. He also confirmed that the company would continue to offer pure internal combustion vehicles going forward, as well in the form of high-performance limited-run specials.

"We are evolving our product cadence to reflect the realities of a changing world and a dynamic marketplace. By extending introducing new internal combustion engine 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,” Walliser said in a statement.

Also read: Bentley Joins Skoda Auto Volkswagen India as Sixth Brand

Bentley V8 PHEV powertrain.

Globally, Bentley has introduced plug-in hybrid powertrains across its core range of models, including the Continental GT, Flying Spur and the Bentayga. The extension on the lifecycle of PHEVs to 2035 seems to be following market demand with global sales of EVs starting to cool of in recent months. The announcement could also put a pause on Bentley’s plans to go all-electric by 2035.

New Limited-Run Bentley Continental Supersport Teased

Speaking of plans to introduce pure internal combustion vehicles as special limited-production cars, the carmaker has also teased a new Supersport based on the Continental GT. The company has confirmed that the new Supersport will be the ‘lightest car of the modern Bentley era’ with only limited units to be produced.

The bigger news, perhaps, is that the new Continental GT Supersport will be the first-ever Continental to feature rear-wheel drive, with all Continental GTs to date featuring all-wheel drive as standard. The Supersport is likely to be the first of Bentley's limited production pure ICE cars with the carmaker previously having confirmed a late 2025 deadline for the first model.

The Continental Supersport will debut on November 14, 2025.