The British company intends to expand its lineup with an electric car in 2025.
Bentley, owned by Volkswagen, produces luxury cars. Last year, dealers sold 3,363 brand cars in Europe, which is 7.3% more than a year earlier. Environmental standards in this region are getting stricter from year to year: more and more car manufacturers are investing in the development of electric vehicles, including VW, which last year launched the new “green” ID family. However, Bentley does not produce cars “for the general public,” so far there are no electric cars in their lineup. This will be changed in a few years. Way to go: assembling a W12 engine, the jewel in Bentley’s crown
It is expected that by 2025 the British brand will acquire its own production electric car. According to Autocar, to date, Bentley designers are already developing the appearance of the future “outlet” news. According to the chief designer Stefan Silaff, the brand’s electric car will turn out to be a “modern step forward,” the car’s proportions will be changed, but it will still be recognizable by Bentley. He cited the example of Taycan, in which Porsche’s corporate identity is easily recognized, as well as the unsuccessful performance of the BMW i3 hatchback.
As it became known at the beginning of this year, Bentley says goodbye to the flagship Mulsanne and the legendary 6.75-liter V8 engine. The final series will include only 30 copies of the model. By the way, there is a chance that the brand’s first electric car will turn out to be a sedan and may even get the name Mulsanne.
The release date of the first “green” car brand is still indicative. Earlier, the head of Bentley Adrian Hallmark said that the company intends to create a serial electric car, but it will not be until at least 2025. So, in fact, the new product may enter the market later. Probably, this will depend on market demands, as well as laws, which, in particular in Europe, are becoming less and less loyal to cars with internal combustion engines. A 550 HP V8 engine adds to the Bentley Continental GT range
Last summer, Bentley introduced the EXP 100 GT concept, which was an electric train. Its installation includes four electric motors – one for each wheel. The maximum total return is 1359 hp, torque – 1500 Nm. To accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h, the show car needs less than 2.5 seconds, while it is able to accelerate to 300 km / h. The power reserve of the electric “two-door” is 700 km (according to what cycle the calculation was carried out, not specified).
Recall, the presentation of the EXP 100 GT concept coupe was timed to coincide with the brand’s 100th anniversary. The car’s dimensions are immodest: the length is 5.8 meters, the width is almost 2.4 meters. Earlier, the head of the company noted that a production car created on the basis of this show car is unlikely to get as large. The paintwork used for the body color of the concept is made from recycled rice husk, and the upholstery of the armchairs is made from winemaking waste. In addition, the salon has rugs made of British sheep’s wool, cotton inserts with embroidery, wooden panels from a 5,000-year-old oak harvested from peat bogs, etc.
A couple of weeks ago, Bentley introduced its new roadster – the Mulliner Bacalar. He got his looks based on the concept of the EXP 100 GT, but he has a Bentley Continental GT Convertible with an extended 20 mm rear track and 22-inch wheels. This car has all-wheel drive, is equipped with a 6.0-liter W12 turbocharged engine, like the Continental, but for the roadster the output was increased from 635 to 659 hp. (The previous torque is 900 Nm). The motor is combined with an eight-speed “automatic” with two clutches. The circulation of the roadster will be only 12 copies, and all of it has already been sold out. The price of new items in the company did not disclose.