Bentley on the brink of more electrification

Like its sibling brands in Volkswagen Group, Bentley will transition to an all-electric lineup by 2030. But between now and then, the British- born, German-owned brand will be hybridizing its vehicles to comply with tightening emissions standards and won't release its first full EV until 2025.

Bentley wants to position itself as a socially responsible company with the goal of being climate and carbon neutral by 2030. By 2026, the brand will complete the hybridization of the powerful eight- and 12-cylinder engines in its lineup, part of a strategy called Beyond 100, which referenced its 100-year anniversary, when it launched in late 2020.

Bentley will take full advantage of the synergies it can glean from its sibling brands, including the group's PPE platform for its first as-yet-unidentified EV, and then the SSP unified EV platform that will follow it later in the decade.

Flying Spur: Deliveries of a reengineered Flying Spur Hybrid sedan are expected to begin in late 2021. The Flying Spur is Bentley's second plug-in hybrid model after the Bentayga Hybrid, and it uses a 410-hp, V-6 engine and an electric motor that produces the equivalent of 134 hp, delivering a combined output that matches that of the conventional Flying Spur's V-8 engine.

Bentayga: Its 2020 freshen included an updated exterior with headlights reworked to better match the faces of the Continental GT and Flying Spur, as well as significant interior refinements. The Bentayga, available with a V-6 plug-in hybrid powertrain, V-8 or W-12, isn't due for a freshen until 2023.

EV: Bentley executives have been quite clear about when the brand's first electric vehicle will arrive, 2025, but not as clear about what it will look like. The luxury EV is expected to boast a range in excess of 300 miles and is also likely to ride on Volkswagen Group's PPE dedicated EV platform. It will be the first of a new family of Bentley EVs, company executives said.

Bacalar: The bespoke $1.9 million two-seat roadster, with a run limited to just 12 vehicles worldwide and already sold out, is being delivered this year. There are no further production plans for the exotic roadster, though it is the first of what is expected to be a stream of one-offs released under the brand's Mulliner Coachbuilt portfolio.

Continental GT: The two-door is expected to undergo a reengineering in 2024 to incorporate a new plug-in hybrid powertrain. Expect further refinements to be added at that time, including more driver-assist technologies. The new Speed variant is also likely to stay.