Volkswagen is doing it. Audi is in the process of getting one ready. Porsche has given the codename to theirs. Bentley is considering it. All of these have a connecting thread, want to guess what that might be?
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They all involve electric vehicles. The first three are in the process of getting an EV of some sort into production and we learned this week that Bentley is considering it.
Rolf Frech, Bentley's board member in charge of engineering tells Australian outlet Drive that the ultra-luxury brand is looking very closely at electric powertrains.
"We have to look at what makes sense for us," Frech said. "We are currently in the stage where we are evaluating all the possibilities, but there are so many question marks behind this. I think there will be an answer within the next six months to a year to decide which direction we will go, but of course electric will be a future strategy direction for Bentley."
A possible vehicle that could go electric is the upcoming EXP 10 Speed 6 coupe. Frech said using an electric powertrain would give the coupe the instantaneous punch that Bentley wants. If Bentley does go forward with an electric vehicle, they will have access to Porsche's Mission E platform.
"We not only have the ability to use the (Mission E) platform but we can also use a lot of these modules to bring into our car. I think there are big steps coming and what we are doing now is preparing ourselves if these steps make sense then we will go for it," said Frech.
While Bentley mulls over electric powertrains, they are planning to introduce plug-in hybrid powertains across their lineup. First up is the Bentayga SUV in 2017.
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