EXP 12 Speed 6e show car being used to gauge customer
reaction to electric Bentley; will use Porsche Mission E tech
Bentley is aiming to launch a 600bhp all-electric
sports car by 2021 that’s capable of up to 310 miles on a single charge, Auto
Express can reveal.
The British manufacturer chose the Geneva Motor Show to
evaluate reaction to the idea of an electric Bentley with the new EXP 12 Speed 6e concept. Bentley boss Wolfgang Durheimer
told us that the show car stands for “pure electric driving but in Bentley
style” and that “electric driving does not have any limits with respect to
luxury and performance”.
The new car is understood to be at least four years away
from production, but Durheimer confirmed that a Bentley EV would be based on
the same J1 platform that will underpin Porsche’s upcoming Mission E saloon, and will be four-wheel
drive. “We would have an electric power of around 450kW (604bhp) and we can go
450-500km (up to 310 miles) without being recharged,” he elaborated.
Durheimer also added that Bentley was investing heavily in
developing inductive charging and would do away with conventional cables, which
are not deemed luxurious enough for customers. “Luxury and performance is not
going to stop with electric drivetrains," said Durheimer. "To our
customer base we say, ‘We have a good answer, don’t worry about it.'"
The electric Bentley will continue to adopt conventional
design details such as a radiator grille and air vents, while the show car gave
us a glimpse of “futuristic Bentley design DNA.” Durheimer also added that if
Bentley were to do a two-seat roadster “this is how it would look”.
Before a full-electric model arrives, however, Bentley will
introduce plug-in hybrid technology on all new models. The Bentayga
SUV will be the first to feature a hybrid set-up, capable of up to 43
miles on electric power, while the new Continental GT that’s due by the end of the year will
also be available with a plug-in hybrid powertrain.
source: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bentley/98835/new-electric-bentley-lined-up-for-2021-debut
by Jonathan Burn
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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