Bentley's Debut EV Will Not Get an Engine Transplant, Future Models Uncertain

As the global automotive industry shifts towards electrification, British luxury car brand Bentley is also fine-tuning its EV strategy—good news for Malaysian luxury car enthusiasts who have been looking forward to the brand’s first all-electric model.

Founded in 1919, Bentley is renowned worldwide for its handcrafted luxury, powerful performance, and exquisite craftsmanship. In Malaysia, the brand is popular among high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) who value exclusivity and driving comfort. For years, Bentley has been distributed in Malaysia through authorized dealers, offering models like the Bentayga SUV (a top-seller in the local luxury SUV segment) and the Continental GT coupe, catering to the country’s growing demand for premium mobility.

Previously, Bentley announced an ambitious electrification plan to launch five EVs by 2035. However, under its revised Beyond100+ strategy (unveiled late last year), the brand has adjusted its roadmap: only the first EV—an SUV rumoured to be named the Barnato—will proceed as planned and make its global debut sometime this year. The remaining four EV models have been delayed until 2035, with plug-in hybrid and internal combustion engine (ICE) models to fill the gap in the meantime.

Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser emphasized that the Barnato will be a pure EV with no plans to add an ICE engine or PHEV drivetrain. “It’s technically not feasible, and more importantly, it’s not part of our strategy,” he said in a recent media roundtable. He also added that the new EV is designed to attract new customers, while the popular Bentayga (a familiar model to Malaysian buyers) will continue to be sold, so existing owners won’t be forced to switch to electric vehicles prematurely.

For Malaysian car lovers curious about the Barnato’s specs, here’s what we can infer so far: the SUV will be built on Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE)—the same platform used for the Porsche Cayenne Electric and Audi Q6 e-tron, two models that are highly anticipated in Malaysia’s luxury EV market. While Bentley has not revealed official details, the Porsche Cayenne Electric sharing the PPE platform offers strong hints.

The range-topping Turbo variant of the Porsche Cayenne Electric boasts over 1,156 horsepower from its dual motors (with launch control), accelerating from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.5 seconds—impressive performance that the Bentley Barnato is likely to match or exceed, given the brand’s focus on power. It also features a 113 kWh battery pack, delivering up to 623 km of range (WLTP) for the Turbo variant and 642 km for the single-motor base model. For Malaysian drivers, this range is more than sufficient for daily commutes in cities like Kuala Lumpur, Penang, or Johor Bahru, as well as weekend getaways.

While there’s no word yet on when the Bentley Barnato will arrive in Malaysia or its local pricing, luxury car enthusiasts can expect it to join the brand’s local lineup soon after its global debut, following the usual timeline for premium car launches in the country. For now, all eyes are on the brand’s first pure EV, which is set to redefine luxury electric mobility for Malaysian HNWIs.