New electric Bentley SUV: first spy photos
It seems that luxury car buyers can’t get enough of the Bentley Bentayga, so the British brand is working on a second SUV for its lineup. Rumored to be called the Barnato, the new model will be smaller than its larger sibling but, more importantly, fully electric.
While it’s still unknown how big the demand for the new model will be in markets like the US, where EV sales have stalled, it will undoubtedly appeal to those seeking the most serene and comfortable driving experience. Using electric power will also help Bentley reduce the overall emissions of its fleet.
Caught here during its first tests at the Nürburgring, this prototype is covered in the same camouflage we’ve seen on other examples. This keeps key design elements hidden, although we can make out the darkened lower grille.
Design in the style of the concept
The headlights look temporary, though the upper LED light bar is expected to be retained for the production model. It’s difficult to tell what the grille will look like, but we assume it will be body-colored and used primarily for decoration rather than cooling the SUV. The grille might resemble the one on the EXP 15 concept from last year.
Other notable elements visible on this prototype include a large panoramic glass roof and a roofline that is noticeably lower than that of the Bentayga.
Powertrain from Porsche
We know that the Barnato uses the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) architecture, like other VW Group models, including the Cayenne Electric. According to Carscoops, it will be equipped with a 113 kWh battery pack that supports DC fast charging, adding 100 miles (160 km) of range in under seven minutes.
Bentley’s electric motors will likely also be borrowed from the Cayenne Electric. Porsche’s power output ranges from 402 hp to 1156 hp, and the British counterpart could offer similar figures.
The similarity to the Cayenne Electric will continue inside the cabin. While these spy shots captured only a small portion of the interior, previous ones have shown that many details will be taken from Porsche, including a curved OLED display running the Android Automotive OS operating system.
Thus, the Bentley Barnato will be not just another luxury electric vehicle but also a technically close relative of the Porsche Cayenne Electric. This will allow the British brand to enter the electric SUV market faster, using proven technologies but with its own unique style and level of luxury. Given that the Bentayga remains extremely popular, the arrival of the smaller, electric Barnato could be a logical step to attract a new audience that values sustainability without compromising on comfort and prestige. Tests at the Nürburgring indicate that engineers are paying great attention not only to luxury but also to driving dynamics, which is important for the modern market.