Major car brand unveils huge change to UK HQ days after confirming future plans for petrol engines

The Engineering Technical Centre is one of the key investments Bentley has made to facilitate the transition to electric mobility.

The centre, which is located across two floors covering 13,000 square metres, features a prototype workshop for future models, a materials development area and a software department.

The site, at Bentley's Pyms Lane factory in Crewe, will test and prepare launches for all software included in the luxury vehicles on offer.

The A1 building is being transformed into an electric vehicle assembly line, prompting the move of many departments to the new Engineering Technical Centre.

Bentley is preparing to begin production of one of its electric vehicles from 2027, which forms the basis of the brand's Beyond100+ project.

The strategy will see Bentley transform its entire range of vehicles to battery electric vehicles and ensure all vehicles will be zero emission by 2035.

As part of the decarbonising effort, Bentley promises to introduce a new hybrid or electric vehicle model every year until the 2035 deadline.

The facilities were officially opened by chairman and CEO Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser and board member for R&D, Dr Matthias Rabe.

Commenting on the launch, Dr Rabe said: "Our Beyond100+ strategy maps out a fundamental programme of change, using what is known now and adapting that vision as we adopt yet-to-be-discovered technologies in the future.

"We are working on the next generation of electrified driving, digitally connected cars, with driving autonomy that will achieve the highest levels of luxury mobility."

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The brand originally planned to only offer plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles by 2026 under the initial Beyond100 strategy.

It plans to unveil its first electric vehicle next year, which is believed to be an "urban" SUV.

Dr Rabe continued, saying that the new Engineering Technical Centre was "key" to delivering the Beyond100+ strategy and making it a reality.

He also confirmed plans for Bentley to create "the most luxurious and performance-oriented vehicles on the market".

It comes just days after the Bentley CEO confirmed its plans for hybrids and EVs to be introduced every year.

Mr Walliser confirmed that electrification was still the goal for Bentley, although he acknowledged that demand from customers was also needed.

He told Autocar: "There is a dip in demand for luxury electric vehicles, and customer demand is not yet strong enough to support an all-electric strategy."

Bentley said other manufacturers under the Volkswagen Group umbrella were also moving forward with a mix of hybrid, electric and combustion engines.