Bentley prepares electric crossover: new spy photos reveal details
Bentley is preparing to unveil its “urban SUV” later this year. Spy photographers have captured new images of the prototype near the Nürburgring. While the exterior is no longer a surprise, the new shots reveal several interesting interior details.
Interior: luxury and innovation
The driver will sit behind a new three-spoke steering wheel, which features wing-like stalks similar to the Audi Q3. On the right is the gearshift lever, on the left — the light and wiper control unit.
Although an ultra-luxury SUV should not borrow details from a budget crossover costing $44,000, Bentley has still added its own flair. We see genuine metallic accents and a knurled frame around the lever. They are complemented by a unique two-tone steering wheel with glossy black inserts and knurled rotary controls.
The most interesting part is the dashboard. The steering wheel sits in front of a curved digital instrument cluster, which also offers an unobstructed view of the crossover’s rear. The infotainment system features a curved display with a portrait orientation. This is a unique design, and the system will have a “home” button and built-in HomeLink connectivity.
Climate control and materials
The lower row of the display houses controls for climate and seat settings. However, for convenience, there are separate physical climate control buttons on the center console. For the first time, the front passenger side of the dashboard is visible, adorned with a large piece of wood trim. This is a welcome change against the backdrop of modern passenger displays.
Other details include thick metal inserts, round air vents, contrast stitching, and metal pedals.
Exterior: resemblance to Porsche and unique features
In terms of style, the Barnato (likely model name) strongly resembles the Porsche Cayenne Electric. The similarity is most noticeable in profile, but Bentley has a unique front end with a fully enclosed grille that likely echoes the design of the EXP 15 concept. It is framed by round headlights reminiscent of those on the Continental and Flying Spur.
Below are wide air intakes with a diamond-pattern insert. A sensor is mounted in the center. The rest of the design is quite restrained, but noticeable badges on the front fenders, pronounced wheel arches, and a charging port on the rear fender are visible. The rear is partially concealed, but interior photos suggest a curved tail section with taillights that echo other models in the lineup.
Technical specifications and price
Bentley has not revealed many details, but it is known that the crossover will be based on the PPE platform, used in the Audi A6, Q6 e-tron, Porsche Macan, and Cayenne Electric. The latter has a 113 kWh battery, support for 390 kW fast charging, and power ranging from 435 to 1139 horsepower. The Barnato will likely have specs somewhere in the middle. Bentley also claims the model can add 161 km of range in just seven minutes.
Bentley Americas CEO Mike Rocko previously stated that the model will arrive in the US in the third quarter of 2027 and will likely be priced in the “lower range.” This means the crossover’s price could be around $200,000–$250,000.
Thus, Bentley is betting on a combination of traditional luxury (wood trim, metal) with modern technology (curved displays, fast charging). The decision to forgo a passenger screen in favor of wood appears to be a deliberate move to preserve the brand’s unique character. At the same time, close technical ties with Porsche and Audi allow Bentley to focus on design and materials without spending resources on developing a platform from scratch. This is a pragmatic approach that enables bringing a competitive electric vehicle to the highest price segment, although it raises questions about the uniqueness of the car’s “soul.”