Bentley's First All-Electric SUV Interior and Tech Details Revealed, Built on PPE Platform

Bentley plans to unveil its first all-electric "urban SUV," expected to be named the Barnato, later this year. Recent spy shots near the Nürburgring have revealed new interior details for the first time. The vehicle features a three-spoke steering wheel with paddle-like stalks behind it—similar to those in the Audi Q3—where the right-side stalk handles gear selection and the left integrates controls for lights and wipers, both upgraded in design. The steering wheel combines dual-tone materials, gloss-black trim, and knurled control rollers, while the gear selector base also uses knurling and is accented with genuine metal finishes. For the first time, the dashboard has been shown more comprehensively. Ahead of the steering wheel sits a curved digital instrument cluster identical to that of the new-generation Porsche Cayenne. The center console houses a vertically oriented curved touchscreen display featuring a dedicated home button and supporting HomeLink garage door opener functionality. Climate and seat controls are located beneath the screen and retain physical buttons. The passenger side is adorned with expansive wood trim but notably lacks a front passenger entertainment screen. Additional interior highlights include substantial metal accents, circular air vents, contrast stitching, and metal pedals. Exterior styling shows strong similarities—particularly along the profile—to the all-electric Porsche Cayenne, though the front fascia adopts Bentley-specific design cues. The closed-off grille appears inspired by the EXP 100 GT concept (note: original Chinese text says EXP 15, which likely refers to EXP 100 GT), while the round headlights echo those of the Continental GT and Flying Spur. A diamond-patterned lower air intake sits below the front bumper, housing a central sensor module. Other distinguishing features include fender badges, flared wheel arches, and a charging port on the rear quarter panel. Although the rear remains heavily camouflaged, an image displayed within the digital instrument cluster suggests a rounded, full-bodied tail design consistent with current Bentley models. The Barnato is built on Volkswagen Group’s Premium Platform Electric (PPE), sharing its technical foundation with the Audi A6 e-tron, Q6 e-tron, Porsche electric Macan, and electric Cayenne. Given that the electric Cayenne is equipped with a 113 kWh battery, supports 390 kW DC fast charging, and delivers up to 849 hp, Bentley’s powertrain is expected to slot between the mid- and high-end variants of these siblings. Bentley claims the vehicle can regain approximately 100 miles (161 km) of range in just seven minutes. Mike Rocke, CEO of Bentley Americas, stated the vehicle will arrive in the U.S. market in the third quarter of 2027, positioned at the lower end of Bentley’s pricing spectrum, with an estimated starting price between $200,000 and $250,000.