Bentley Motors has confirmed that its upcoming Luxury Urban EV will remain fully electric, with no plans to develop petrol, diesel, or plug-in hybrid variants. The all-electric SUV is built on a derivative of the Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE) and is scheduled to debut in the second half of 2026, with deliveries beginning in 2027.
The Luxury Urban EV will compete in the luxury electric SUV segment alongside the Porsche Cayenne Electric, Lotus Eletre, the forthcoming Range Rover Electric, and an upcoming Rolls-Royce electric SUV. While some rivals, such as Lotus, are introducing plug-in hybrid variants to attract more buyers, Bentley is choosing to focus solely on the electric powertrain, citing technical and strategic considerations.
Bentley’s current combustion-powered alternative, the Bentayga PHEV, features a 3.0-litre turbo V6 hybrid engine producing 462hp and 900Nm of torque, paired with an 18kWh battery offering up to 45km of all-electric range. However, the Luxury Urban EV platform cannot accommodate internal combustion engines or hybrid drivetrains, making retrofitting technically unfeasible.
The Luxury Urban EV will feature a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive system with a 113kWh battery, potentially delivering close to 1,000hp, similar to its platform sibling, the Porsche Cayenne Electric. Bentley intends the vehicle to attract new customers in the luxury EV market rather than replacing existing combustion or hybrid models, maintaining the Bentayga lineup for buyers preferring conventional powertrains.
Bentley’s decision to develop a dedicated electric platform highlights the company’s commitment to electrification, even as some automakers scale back or delay their EV plans. The launch of the Luxury Urban EV is expected to set new benchmarks for performance, luxury, and technology in the electric SUV segment.
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