Bentley has started working on its first all-electric model which will reportedly take the form of a high-riding flagship sedan.
Autocar reports that Bentley chose this unusual bodystyle for its first EV in order to avoid the aerodynamic inefficiency of a traditional SUV but retain the space of a raised body to comfortably accommodate the battery pack.
Bentley’s CEO Adrian Hallmark hinted that the company’s first electric car could adopt a shape that’s similar to that of a Jaguar I-Pace, albeit one that’s more extreme in every metric to justify a high-end price tag, as it will most likely be marketed as the indirect successor of the Mulsanne.
Read More: Meet The People Building The Bentley Mulsanne As The Curtain Comes Down
“If we’re to launch an electric car in the mid-2020s, then it either needs to be smaller than today’s cars or the same size but not as upright, and smaller isn’t an appealing solution, as it implies a lower price segment,” said Hallmark.
“The prediction is battery technology will have moved forward again by that date and that will put us at the edge of what we think we need to give customers: 300-350 miles of range, or enough to cruise at a 65mph average for five hours.”
Bentley EXP 100 GT concept pictured
Bentley wants its first electric model to set new performance benchmarks when it arrives in the market in 2025. Given the tight timeline, the battery pack is expected to use a more advanced version of today’s lithium-ion technology, instead of a solid-state battery that’s expected to reach production closer to the end of the next decade.
As for the powertrain, Bentley’s EXP 100 GT concept offers some pointers for the direction the company wants to go with its electric models. The concept used four electric motors, one for each wheel, with a combined output of between 800 and 1340 HP, as well as 1,100 lb-ft (1,500 Nm) of torque. The powertrain also featured a torque vectoring system.
“Our values are about delivering the very best money can buy, and that puts us in a position where we can lead in whatever direction we turn to,” added Hallmark.
“Yes, one goal is to lead in electrification in the luxury segment, but we also feel that sustainability can be about far more than just electrification. Our customers are happy to pay a premium if they can buy a car that is truly carbon-neutral, and that is now a core mission of the company.”
Bentley’s boss also confirmed that the iconic W12 engine will eventually be phased out, without providing a time frame. “We want to do this in a progressive and customer-orientated way. We don’t hate engines, but we do love the idea of electrification. We’ll offer hybrid options alongside combustion engine options on every model by 2023.”
Bentley EXP 100 GT concept pictured