Bentley’s first all-electric automobile will characteristic hands-off self-driving expertise, it has been revealed. Talking with UK outlet AutoCar, Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark confirmed that the British marque’s first EV will initially provide partial hands-off driving on motorways. Totally autonomous driving will come later, doubtlessly via over-the-air software program updates.
Hallmark additionally confirmed that Bentley will use Mobileye’s SuperVision expertise. The SuperVision system options 11 cameras and also will be used on the upcoming Porsche Macan EV.
Though it was initially believed that Bentley’s upcoming EV can be a high-riding sedan or crossover, it is also a sportier two-door coupe. Final yr Hallmark revealed that Bentley’s first EV would have as much as 1,400 horsepower and be able to sprinting from 0-60 miles per hour in simply 1.5 seconds.
Such stats are unlikely for a crossover, even within the electrical age. That mentioned, it is nonetheless a chance. Hallmark additionally hinted at a “slower model” of Bentley’s first EV geared toward clients who discover the 1,400 hp variant uncomfortably fast.
Bentley will launch a brand new electrical automobile yearly from 2025 via 2030. The posh automaker can also be investing over $3 billion into its Crewe facility to fully overhaul it for the electrical period.
Britain’s different famed luxurious producer, Rolls-Royce, is about to launch its first EV this fall. Dubbed the Spectre, it is a luxurious coupe primarily based on the identical platform because the combustion-engined Phantom and Cullinan. The Spectre includes a dual-motor structure and is powered by a 120-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The electrical two-door has a claimed vary of 310 miles. With a 4.4 second 0-60 mph time and high pace of 155 mph, the Spectre is greater than fast sufficient – though it is truthful to say Bentley’s EV will in all probability come out forward in a straight-line dash.