Bentley, the renowned British luxury car brand, is set to make a groundbreaking leap into the realm of electric vehicles (EVs) with its first pure electric car. According to a report by the British car magazine “AutoCar,” Bentley’s CEO, Adrian Hallmark, has revealed that the forthcoming electric vehicle will be equipped with cutting-edge self-driving technology.
The Electric Car’s power output will be equivalent to 1400 Horsepower
The electric Bentley will utilize Mobileye’s SuperVision system, which comprises an impressive array of 11 cameras. Interestingly, this system will also be featured in Porsche‘s upcoming Macan EV.Initially, the Bentley EV will possess the capability to drive partially autonomously on highways. However, the company has long-term plans to achieve full autonomous driving capabilities through over-the-air (OTA) software updates in the future.
Anticipated to be officially unveiled in 2025, Bentley’s debut electric car is rumoured to have a sports coupe design. Hallmark previously stated that the upcoming electric vehicle would boast a power output of up to 1,400 horsepower and could achieve acceleration from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a mere 1.5 seconds. These performance figures are insane. However, Hallmark assured prospective customers that a “slower” version would be available for those who found the speed too overpowering or intimidating.
It’s quite interesting to see that Bentley has ambitious plans for the electric era, aiming to introduce a new electric vehicle each year from 2025 to 2030. To support this ambitious venture, the company has committed a massive investment of $3 billion to revamp its Crewe factory, enabling it to be future-proof for the EV competition that is currently ramping up.
In another electric supercar development, Rolls-Royce, another prominent British luxury automaker, is preparing to unveil its inaugural electric car, the Specter, later this year. The Specter, a luxurious coupe, shares its platform with Rolls-Royce’s renowned models, the Phantom and Cullinan.
With both Bentley and Rolls-Royce embracing electric mobility, the future of the luxury automotive industry is sure to witness a profound change in R&D for other major car manufacturers. Companies such as Chrysler and Acura should take this as a sign of a shifting landscape in the EV industry.