What Will Bentley Name Its First EV? New Trademark Hints at “Barnato”
The luxury automaker is set to launch its first all-electric model by year’s end, and a newly unearthed trademark filing points toward a name rich in brand heritage.
by [Your Name/Industry Expert]
Published: March 18, 2026
The automotive industry is on the cusp of a seismic shift, with traditional luxury players rapidly electrifying their lineups. Bentley, a marque synonymous with opulent craftsmanship and V8 thunder, is no exception. By the close of 2026, the Crewe-based manufacturer will pull the wraps off its first-ever battery-electric vehicle (BEV). While spy shots have confirmed the form factor—a sleek, compact SUV—the identity behind the badge has remained a closely guarded secret. However, a deep dive into global trademark databases has unearthed compelling evidence suggesting the upcoming EV might carry a name steeped in Bentley’s storied racing past: Barnato.
Bentley’s pivot to electrification is not merely a compliance exercise; it’s a strategic imperative. As regulators worldwide tighten emissions standards and affluent consumers increasingly embrace sustainable luxury, Bentley is charting a bold course with its “Beyond100” strategy. This ambitious plan aims to transform Bentley into an end-to-end carbon-neutral organization by 2030, with a fully electric portfolio by the end of the decade. The forthcoming SUV, codenamed internally as the EXP 12, represents the vanguard of this new era—a vehicle designed to blend Bentley’s signature opulence with cutting-edge electric performance.
The case for “Barnato” as the production name is compelling. A trademark filing for the moniker was officially lodged on August 20, 2025, across key markets including the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom. The application, meticulously filed by Bentley Motors Limited, explicitly covers “motor vehicles and parts and fittings therefor,” with a specific emphasis on electric vehicles, charging cables, and charging infrastructure. This comprehensive filing strategy suggests a deliberate intent to secure the name for the brand’s EV division, especially given Bentley’s confirmation that a second electric model won’t arrive until at least 2030.
The significance of the name itself cannot be overstated. Woolf Barnato, born in 1895, was more than just a historical figure; he was the architect of Bentley’s early dominance. One of the legendary “Bentley Boys”—a cadre of wealthy, thrill-seeking aristocrats—Barnato possessed an insatiable appetite for speed and adventure. He first encountered the marque in 1925, purchasing a Bentley 3 Litre, and was quickly captivated by its engineering prowess. His affinity for the brand soon evolved into a business proposition.
By 1925, Bentley Motors was struggling to navigate the turbulent post-WWI economic landscape. Recognizing the brand’s potential but fearing its impending collapse, Barnato stepped in with a bold financial maneuver. Leveraging his family’s considerable fortune, derived from his father’s diamond mining empire in South Africa, Barnato acquired a controlling stake in the company. This decisive intervention not only saved Bentley from bankruptcy but installed him as the new chairman, setting the stage for one of the most exhilarating chapters in automotive history.
Under Barnato’s leadership, Bentley transitioned from a niche manufacturer to a global racing titan. He fostered an environment where engineering excellence was paramount, commissioning the development of iconic pre-war models such as the Speed Six and the supercharged Blower Bentley. However, Barnato’s influence extended far beyond the boardroom. He was a formidable driver himself, a daredevil who relished pushing the machines to their absolute limits.
His competitive spirit manifested most famously in the gruelling 24 Hours of Le Mans. Barnato’s record at the iconic French endurance race is nothing short of legendary. From 1928 to 1930, he piloted his Bentleys to three consecutive victories, cementing the brand’s reputation for reliability and speed under the most arduous conditions. These triumphs were not mere wins; they were pronouncements of British engineering superiority on the world stage.
Yet, it was Barnato’s audacious challenge in 1930 that truly immortalized his name in the annals of automotive lore. Envisioning a contest that would transcend the racetrack, he orchestrated a legendary showdown between a Bentley Speed Six and the prestigious Le Train Bleu, the luxury express train connecting the French Riviera to Calais. This wasn’t just a race; it was a statement of intent, a demonstration of human ingenuity triumphing over industrial might.
The proposition was audacious: Barnato claimed he could not only beat the train to Calais but could reach London—miles further afield—before the train completed its journey. This bold boast echoed earlier claims by other British marques, but Barnato backed his words with action. On the evening of March 13, 1930, with the train departing from Cannes, Barnato set off in his modified Speed Six.
The drive was a masterclass in high-speed endurance. Navigating treacherous French roads, including the notoriously winding Corniche, Barnato pushed the Bentley to its absolute limit. He bypassed the traditional route to Calais, instead taking a more direct path through the heart of France, aiming for the Dover ferry. The journey was fraught with peril, marked by reckless speeds and the ever-present threat of mechanical failure.
In the end, Barnato delivered on his audacious promise. He arrived in London four minutes before the Le Train Bleu pulled into Calais, securing a victory for Bentley and for British sportsmanship. The escapade, while exhilarating, came with consequences. French authorities, alarmed by the excessive speeding and the potential diplomatic incident, fined Barnato for his performance. Yet, the publicity generated by the event was invaluable, elevating Bentley’s profile among the global elite.
To commemorate this extraordinary achievement, Barnato commissioned a bespoke coachbuilder, Gurney Nutting, to modify his Speed Six. The result was the Sportsman coupe, a stunning two-door creation featuring a streamlined body, a rakish windshield, and a meticulously crafted interior. This unique vehicle, later dubbed the “Blue Train Special” (a name that would later cause some confusion, as the actual car raced was a slightly different specification), became the ultimate symbol of Barnato’s daring spirit.
Fast forward nearly a century, and the legacy of the Blue Train Special has resurfaced in the most unexpected manner. In 2025, Bentley unveiled the EXP 15 concept, an all-electric SUV that serves as a tangible preview of the brand’s forthcoming EV. Strikingly, the EXP 15 was photographed alongside and explicitly cited the Gurney Nutting Sportsman coupe as its primary design inspiration. This direct lineage—from Barnato’s historic race to a modern electric concept—creates a compelling narrative thread that makes the “Barnato” name an almost poetic fit for the production EV.
Beyond the direct historical connection, the name carries an aura of exclusivity and performance that aligns perfectly with Bentley’s brand positioning. In the burgeoning luxury EV market, automakers are increasingly seeking names that evoke heritage while signaling a forward-looking vision. Names like Polestar, Lucid, and Rimac have successfully carved out identities that blend innovation with a sense of premium distinction. “Barnato” offers a similar proposition: a name rooted in tangible sporting achievement rather than abstract technological concepts.
Furthermore, the 2026 automotive landscape is characterized by a fierce competition to capture the attention of high-net-worth individuals seeking sustainable luxury. Brands like Aston Martin with the Lagonda All-Terrain concept, Rolls-Royce with the Spectre, and Ferrari with its yet-to-be-named EV are all vying for supremacy. To stand out in this crowded field, Bentley needs a name that resonates with both established brand loyalists and a new generation of environmentally conscious buyers. “Barnato” achieves this balance masterfully.
However, the path to production is rarely without its complexities. While the trademark filing provides strong evidence, Bentley has also filed for the name “Torcal” in the European Union and the United Kingdom. This alternative name, derived from a mountainous region in Málaga, Spain, known for its stunning landscapes, also possesses a certain allure. Yet, the fact that “Torcal” has not yet been registered in the U.S., while “Barnato” has been secured across multiple jurisdictions, suggests that Barnato remains the frontrunner.
Another intriguing aspect of Bentley’s naming strategy is its handling of existing nameplates. The company continues to hold a trademark for “Mulsanne,” the nameplate of its former flagship ultra-luxury sedan. However, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser has publicly confirmed that the Mulsanne will not be resurrected, at least not in its traditional form. “While the Mulsanne has its fans and we’ve had requests for a new version,” Walliser noted at a recent media event, “it simply didn’t sell well enough to justify its return.” This strategic decision to retire underperforming nameplates further reinforces the likelihood that Bentley is seeking a fresh identity for its groundbreaking EV.
The Mulsanne’s fate also underscores the challenges of integrating electrification into a brand steeped in internal combustion engine heritage. The Mulsanne represented the pinnacle of Bentley’s V8-powered luxury—a car defined by its muscular presence and its thundering exhaust note. Transitioning to an electric powertrain requires a recalibration of the brand’s identity, a process that Bentley is undertaking with considerable care.
The forthcoming electric SUV is expected to be built on a modular electric platform developed in partnership with the Volkswagen Group. This scalable architecture, shared with other premium brands within the group, will allow Bentley to integrate its signature design language and luxury appointments while leveraging the cost efficiencies of
