Car Design round-up: first look at Peugeot concept, Bentley hints at 2026 SUV and two new R&D centres

Bentley hints at ‘luxury urban SUV’ for 2026 in Beyond100+ update 

As part of the carmaker’s Beyond 100+ strategy, which aims to reflect the current market and customer perspectives, Bentley CEO Frank-Steffen Walliser spoke of the brand’s first fully electric car.

This Crewe-produced vehicle would be the first in a new segment – what Bentley is calling ‘the luxury urban SUV’. It will measure less than five metres in length and be capable of charging from 0 – 100 miles in less than seven minutes. 

The car is currently on track to be launched at the end of 2026. 

This week, Bentley also revealed that a new Supersports model will be unveiled on 13 November, 100 years after the first Bentley ‘Super Sports’. A teaser image has been released which shows off an ombre paint effect from bottom to top.

Full release here and here. 

Marelli opens new R&D centre in Bangalore 

The automotive technology company has opened a new technical R&D site in Bangalore, southern India, to expand engineering capabilities – including automotive lighting, infotainment and displays.

This new site will host 350 employees and adds to the company’s engineering centres in Bangalore and Gurugram, Delhi. 

Full release here. 

Porsche reinforces ‘in China, for China’ strategy

Porsche has also opened an R&D hub, and it’s the carmaker’s first integrated overseas centre.

The 10,000 square metre facility is located in Shanghai’s Hongqiao CBD and is designed to accelerate ‘local innovation’ by merging Porsche’s engineering with China’s ‘fast-paced digital ecosystem’.

Porsche Chairman Oliver Blume spoke at the opening ceremony: “China is leading the way in future mobility, combining electrification, digitalisation and new luxury concepts. Solving the challenges of this transformation isn’t possible from afar – it has to happen here. China R&D is a strategic pillar that connects German engineering with China's digital future. This centre will help us move faster, learn more, and strengthen Porsche R&D globally.” 

Li Nan, head of China R&D and vice president of the technical division of Porsche China, added: “It brings Porsche's iconic design philosophy into the digital world with bold, clarity and precision.” 

Full release here. 

Peugeot teases Polygon concept 

Following the name reveal in September, Peugeot has released the first exterior image of the Polygon concept. 

This futuristic design has a cab-forward stance and low-slung, compact body with an hourglass profile. Geometric shapes make up the body, accompanied by a thin front lighting signature. The lower body cutout and wheel arch integration almost make the concept appear to hover above the ground. 

While no images have been released of the cabin, Peugeot promises a ‘Hypersquare’ steering control with steer-by-wire technology.

The full concept will be revealed on 12 November.

Full release here.