Bentley Sticks with Petrol Power: ICE Successors Coming for GT, Spur, and Bentayga
Hey folks, if you’re a fan of that deep, throaty V8 rumble in a luxury cruiser, Bentley’s got some good news amid all the EV chatter. The British icon is dialing back its all-electric dreams just a bit, confirming it’ll roll out pure-petrol successors to its big three—the Continental GT, Flying Spur, and Bentayga—keeping those internal combustion engines humming well into the 2030s. It’s a pragmatic pivot, sparked by softer demand for high-end EVs and some big shifts at its Volkswagen Group siblings.
Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser laid it out straight in a recent chat with Autocar: while the Beyond100 plan still eyes a full EV switch by 2035 (already pushed from 2030), the luxury crowd isn’t quite there yet—especially in spots like the Middle East and North America where petrol’s king. “Customers aren’t ready to go all-electric,” he noted, pointing to a market dip that’s got everyone rethinking timelines. This lines up with Porsche’s €3.1 billion bet on extending ICE life for its sports cars and Audi’s own backpedal on a 2033 EV-only goal. Since the brands share platforms and tech, it opens the door for Bentley to keep firing up those W12s and V8s without starting from scratch.
Don’t get it twisted, though—electrification’s still on the menu. The first all-electric Bentley’s an “urban SUV” due in 2026, with a new plug-in hybrid or EV dropping every year after that. Crewe’s factory is buzzing too, with fresh EV lines, a paint shop, and design hub in the works to handle the mix. For now, it’ll mean more choices: stick with the current hybrids or wait for straight-petrol next-gens that promise even silkier grand touring.
It’s a reminder that even in the EV rush, luxury buyers want that analog thrill a while longer. Smart move for Bentley to listen, or playing it too safe? If you’re dreaming of a GT with the old-school growl, this buys you time. What’s your take—petrol forever, or zap it? Hit the comments. We’ll watch for more details as they rev up.