02:46 05-12-2025

Bentley tests its first electric SUV at the Nürburgring

Bentley’s first electric SUV on Audi/Porsche EV tech laps the Nürburgring with 600+ hp and AWD. See performance, lighting, and a likely 2026 debut, key details.

Bentley has begun testing its first electric SUV at the Nürburgring. The model, which may carry the name Bernato or Mayon, will become the brand’s first fully electric car. The prototype is still shrouded in heavy camouflage, and the carmaker is using add-on panels to obscure the shape of the lights.

Its basis is expected to be the platform used by the Audi Q6 e-tron and the electric Porsche Macan. That points to output of more than 600 hp and all-wheel drive. Running laps on the Nordschleife lets engineers validate handling balance and high-speed stability, and the choice of venue hints that composure and precision are priorities, not just headline figures.

Judging by the silhouette beneath the wrap, the headlights adopt a horizontal layout that departs from the EXP 15 concept. The production model is aimed at the premium end of the market, where performance must go hand in hand with comfort. The arrival of Bentley’s electric SUV will intensify the field of 2026 newcomers and reaffirms the marque’s shift toward an electric lineup. The elaborate disguise around the lighting suggests a fresh signature they intend to reveal in due time—often a telling detail for a car built to make an impression.