Bentley is preparing a major update for its best-selling Bentayga SUV, confirming that the next-generation model due in 2028 will adopt plug-in hybrid powertrains instead of transitioning directly to a fully electric platform. The decision marks a strategic adjustment as the British luxury marque continues its gradual shift toward electrification.
Initial plans had called for the Bentayga’s successor to be fully electric, built on Volkswagen Group’s upcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). However, delays to SSP development have prompted Bentley to revise its approach. Rather than waiting for the new architecture, the automaker will base the redesigned Bentayga on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), while introducing a separate all-electric model alongside it.
The move underscores the importance of the Bentayga within Bentley’s global lineup. Since its launch in 2015, the luxury SUV has consistently been the brand’s top seller, accounting for nearly half of its total deliveries. It shares its engineering roots with several other Volkswagen Group models, including the Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus, Audi Q7 and Q8, and Volkswagen Touareg.
The current Bentayga rides on the MLB Evo platform, which received updates in 2020 to accommodate electrified drivetrains. Despite those improvements, the architecture has been criticized for its front-heavy layout, which can compromise handling and overall balance.
By contrast, the newer PPC platform is expected to deliver notable advancements in both dynamics and technology. Derived from the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) used in models such as the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric, PPC features a revised layout that positions the engine further back within the chassis. This configuration is designed to enhance weight distribution and improve driving characteristics. It also incorporates a more advanced electronic architecture, replacing multiple decentralized control units with five high-performance central computers.
Currently, Audi is the only Volkswagen Group brand utilizing PPC, though Porsche is expected to adopt the platform for a future combustion-powered Macan. Bentley will follow with the next Bentayga, which is likely to retain a mix of V6 and V8 powertrains.
A plug-in hybrid V6 variant is expected to remain central to the lineup. The existing Bentayga Hybrid produces 456 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, offering an electric-only driving range of around 20 miles. Future versions are anticipated to deliver gains in both efficiency and performance.
V8-powered models are also set to continue, albeit with increased electrification. The current Bentayga V8 produces 542 horsepower, while the high-performance Bentayga Speed generates up to 641 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged engine.
As Bentley advances toward a fully electric portfolio, the 2028 Bentayga will serve as a transitional product. By combining internal combustion engines with hybrid technology, the model is positioned to bridge the gap between the brand’s existing offerings and its long-term electric ambitions.
