Bentley is set to overhaul its best-selling Bentayga SUV, confirming that the next-generation model arriving in 2028 will feature plug-in hybrid powertrains rather than transitioning مباشرة to a fully electric platform. The move signals a recalibration in the British luxury brand’s electrification roadmap as it adapts to shifting development timelines within the Volkswagen Group.
The Bentayga successor was originally planned as a fully electric vehicle based on the Group’s forthcoming Scalable Systems Platform (SSP). However, delays in SSP’s rollout have led Bentley to revise its strategy. Instead, the new Bentayga will be built on the Premium Platform Combustion (PPC), while a separate all-electric model will be introduced alongside it.
This decision highlights the central role the Bentayga continues to play in Bentley’s global business. Since its debut in 2015, the luxury SUV has remained the marque’s top-selling model, consistently accounting for nearly half of total deliveries. Its underlying engineering is closely linked to other Volkswagen Group vehicles, including the Porsche Cayenne, Lamborghini Urus, Audi Q7 and Q8, and Volkswagen Touareg.
The current Bentayga is based on the MLB Evo architecture, which was updated in 2020 to support electrified drivetrains. Despite those enhancements, the platform has faced criticism for its front-heavy design, which can affect handling balance.
The shift to the newer PPC platform is expected to address these concerns while introducing broader technological improvements. Closely related to the Premium Platform Electric (PPE) used in models such as the Audi Q6 e-tron and Porsche Macan Electric, PPC adopts a revised layout that positions the engine further back in the chassis to improve weight distribution and driving dynamics. It also brings a more advanced electronic system, consolidating multiple control units into five high-performance central computers.
At present, Audi is the only Volkswagen Group brand deploying PPC, though Porsche is expected to adopt it for a future combustion-powered Macan. Bentley will follow with the next Bentayga, which is likely to retain a mix of V6 and V8 engines.
A plug-in hybrid V6 is expected to remain a core offering. The current Bentayga Hybrid delivers 456 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with an electric-only range of around 20 miles. Future iterations are expected to improve both efficiency and performance.
V8 variants are also set to continue, albeit with increased electrification. The existing Bentayga V8 produces 542 horsepower, while the performance-focused Bentayga Speed generates up to 641 horsepower from its twin-turbocharged engine.
As Bentley progresses toward a fully electric lineup, the 2028 Bentayga will serve as a transitional model, combining combustion engines with hybrid technology to bridge the gap between its current portfolio and long-term electric ambitions.
