- Bentley’s next SUV will be sold exclusively as an EV.
- The SUV will borrow tech from the Porsche Cayenne Electric.
- Found inside will be the new Audi Q3’s multi-function stalks.
Given how popular the Bentayga has proven to be since its introduction, it was only a matter of time before Bentley would follow it up with a second SUV. That new model is now deep in development and has just been spotted testing in the snow for the first time.
The model, currently known as the Urban SUV but inevitably getting a name change before production, will be smaller than the Bentayga and, more importantly, all-electric. While the growth of the EV market is in a bit of a rough patch, the carmaker has clearly decided it’ll be able to sell an electric SUV.
Read: Bentley’s New Urban SUV Copies A Controversial Feature From Audi’s Q3
Several prototypes have been spied on the move in recent months, but this is the first time we’ve seen one testing with this distinctive dark camouflage theme. It’s been adorned with a large LED light bar at the front, ensuring the engineers testing it can still see after the sun sets in the depths of Europe’s winter.
SH Proshots
Much of the Urban SUV’s design remains hidden, but we can clearly see headlights with four main lighting elements, giving the model a look distinct from other Bentleys. The rear end is adorned with temporary body cladding, so less is visible, but peeking through the camouflage are thin LED taillights.
A Porsche Powertrain?
Bentley is using the same Premium Platform Electric underpinnings as the new Porsche Cayenne Electric for its second SUV. With this in mind, it should share many commonalities with its German sibling, perhaps including the same battery pack and motor options.
As it stands, the entry-level Cayenne Electric delivers 402 hp and tops out at 1,039 hp in the extraordinary Turbo variant. Our hunch is that the base Bentley will deliver around 600 hp. Whether or not it receives a flagship version with a four-digit horsepower figure remains uncertain.
What we do know is that the Bentley will support ultra-fast DC charging, allowing 100 miles (160 km) of range to be added in seven minutes.
Audi Meets Porsche In The Cabin
Late last year, our spy photographers also snapped the cabin up close for the first time. Those spy shots revealed it will have a similar curved central infotainment screen to the Cayenne Electric, as well as a separate digital instrument cluster.
In addition, Bentley’s baby electric SUV will include the same multi-function stalks as the new Audi Q3. This includes indicators, wiper functions, and headlight systems all on the left stalk, while the right one exclusively houses the shifter.
