Bentley’s 1,400-HP EV Will Hit 60 MPH In 1.5 Seconds, Says CEO
“You can have 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds. Or it can be switched to 1.5 seconds.”
(Bentley)
Bentley is a luxury car brand first, but its upcoming EV due out in 2025 will pack a straight-line performance that bests everything currently on the market.
Citing a story from Automotive News Europe, Road and Track reports on ambitious claims from Bentley CEO Adrian Hallmark, who says that the marque’s first all-electric vehicle will boast twice the power of the W12-powered, 650-horspower Continental GT Speed.
“If we’re 650 hp now with GT Speed, we will be double that with the BEV,” Hallmark told ANE. That would be 1,300 hp, but R&T predicts as much as 1,400 hp, perhaps because that’s the absurd output billed with the electric EXP 100 GT concept (pictured) unveiled in 2019.
But Bentley isn’t interested in forgoing ride quality for performance, so a feature will allow drivers (or heavy-footed chauffeurs) to dial back the acceleration rate.
“But from a 0 to 60 mph point of view, there are diminishing returns. The problem is, it’s uncomfortable. And then it just becomes nauseous. You can have 0-60 mph in 2.7 seconds. Or it can be switched to 1.5 seconds,” Hallmark added.
That’s quicker than both the current quickest production car, the Tesla Model S Plaid at 1.9 seconds, and the upcoming Rimac Nevera at 1.85 seconds, both of which are EVs. Electric car tech will of course improve over the next few years as Bentley works to convert entire lineup to plug-in hybrid or all-electric vehicles by 2026 and gas-less vehicles by 2030.
Forget 1.5 seconds. At this rate, we’ll talking sub-second EVs by the decade’s end.
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