At Monterey Car Week in early September 2025, Bentley executives outlined how the marque plans to respond to fast-moving Chinese competitors while previewing the EXP 15 concept and confirming a 2026 all‑electric production car. Bentley says it will combine selective new technologies with its long-standing craftsmanship to protect brand desirability and residual value.
Key Takeaways
- Bentley presented the EXP 15 concept at Pebble Beach as a look at future UX and selective autonomy.
- CEO Dr. Frank‑Steffen Walliser emphasized heritage, craftsmanship, and storytelling as core luxury differentiators.
- Chinese makers (e.g., Hongqi, Huawei‑backed models, BYD) are accelerating software, electrification and advanced driver aids.
- Notable specs cited: the Maextro S800 claims Level 3 handoff driving and 10–80% charging in about 10.5 minutes.
- Bentley plans its first full EV for 2026 and favors a cautious, feature‑selective rollout rather than racing to be first.
- Customer habits are shifting to online configurators and simpler, more curated feature sets.
- Bentley sees EV transition as a multi‑decade, risk‑balanced program rather than a five‑year flip.
Verified Facts
At Monterey Car Week (Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the concept lawn), Bentley unveiled the EXP 15 concept interior and discussed strategic direction. Executives present included CEO Dr. Frank‑Steffen Walliser and R&D board member Dr. Matthias Rabe. The company stated publicly that a production all‑electric Bentley is scheduled for 2026.
Bentley highlighted its emphasis on materials and bespoke finishes—hand‑built elements the company argues distinguish it from volume manufacturers. The brand also acknowledged the need to add digital conveniences: rotating dashboards, connected infotainment, self‑parking and planned autonomous conveniences such as automated valet and charge sequencing described by Rabe.
Industry observers and market researchers flagged rapid advances from Chinese OEMs. Analysts cited Hongqi, BYD’s higher‑end Yangwang lineup, and Huawei‑linked models such as the Maextro S800 as raising feature expectations globally. Published reports attribute the Maextro S800 with Level 3 handoff driving and a 10–80% charge time of roughly 10.5 minutes.
Bentley and independent analysts noted China has moved a large share of deliveries to electrified powertrains; the company stated roughly half of cars there are electrified in some form, with about 25% fully battery electric. Bentley uses those figures to argue that many Chinese buyers still favor plug‑in hybrids and range extenders in addition to pure EVs.
Context & Impact
The premium segment faces two simultaneous pressures: faster software and feature rollout from some Chinese competitors, and changing buyer behavior that values convenience, seamless connectivity and clear configurator options. For low‑volume luxury brands, maintaining exclusivity while meeting modern expectations is a delicate balance.
Policy differences across regions will shape adoption. Bentley expects China to move faster on some EV features than Europe, and Europe to move faster than the U.S., but emphasized the unpredictability of regulatory change. The company frames its product cadence decisions as having 10–15 year consequences for brand identity and resale value.
- Business impact: Faster competitor feature sets can compress perceived value unless luxury brands curate the features that truly matter to their buyers.
- Customer experience: Simplified, digitally enabled sales tools (configurators) are becoming central to how affluent buyers select bespoke options.
“Heritage plus crafted experience matters, but we must plan where and when to offer autonomy and connectivity,”
Dr. Frank‑Steffen Walliser, Bentley
Unconfirmed
- Whether any current Chinese model will match Bentley’s hand‑built interior quality at scale remains speculative.
- Claims about exact charge times and real‑world Level 3 availability can vary by testing conditions and regional infrastructure.
Bottom Line
Bentley is responding to 21st‑century pressures by combining selective adoption of new tech with core strengths in craftsmanship and brand storytelling. The marque’s 2026 EV will be a key test of that strategy—intended not to chase every feature race but to deliver the conveniences and performance Bentley customers expect while protecting exclusivity and long‑term value.