Bentley Opens New Engineering Technical Centre in Crewe to Accelerate Electric Vehicle Development

Bentley Motors has officially opened its new state-of-the-art Engineering Technical Centre at its Crewe headquarters, marking a significant milestone in the luxury carmaker's journey towards electrification. The 13,000-square-metre facility represents a crucial investment in Bentley's Beyond100+ strategy, which aims to transform the company into an exclusively electric vehicle manufacturer by 2035.

Modern Facility to Replace 85-Year-Old Infrastructure

The new centre, spanning two floors, will serve as the heart of Bentley's research and development operations, replacing outdated facilities in the A1 building—the oldest structure at the Pyms Lane site. The Engineering Technical Centre brings together virtual and physical properties to enable collaborative working throughout the development process.

The facility houses a prototype workshop for future models, materials development laboratories, and a software integration department. These departments will focus on training, testing, and launch preparation for all software and electrical systems, including high-voltage digital technologies essential for electric vehicles.

Strategic Importance for Electric Transition

The technical centre's opening comes as Bentley prepares to launch battery electric vehicle (BEV) assembly in 2027, with the A1 building being transformed specifically for this purpose. This timeline aligns with Bentley's commitment to introduce a new hybrid or electric model every year until achieving complete electrification by 2035.

Dr Matthias Rabe, Bentley's Board Member for Research and Development, emphasised the facility's strategic importance: "This new Engineering Technical Centre is a key building block for the successful delivery of our strategy and helps enable engineering concepts to become reality at the heart of development and integration".

Part of Broader Expansion Programme

The Engineering Technical Centre forms part of Bentley's expansive investment programme at its carbon-neutral Crewe headquarters. Recent additions include a newly opened Design Studio, whilst construction continues on a new Paint Shop and Integrated Logistics Centre, scheduled to open next year.

This infrastructure development demonstrates Bentley's commitment to maintaining its position as a leading luxury automotive manufacturer whilst transitioning to sustainable mobility solutions. The facility will support the development of next-generation electrified, digitally connected vehicles with advanced autonomous capabilities.

The technical centre was officially opened by Chairman and CEO Dr Frank-Steffen Walliser and Board Member for R&D Dr Matthias Rabe at a private event on 27 September. This investment reinforces Bentley's dedication to creating the world's most luxurious and performance-oriented electric vehicles, ensuring the brand's continued relevance in an increasingly electrified automotive landscape.