Bentley has confirmed that it’s upcoming SUV will be available as a plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2017. The PHEV comes a year after the launch of the Bentley SUV. The rest of Bentley’s lineup will follow suit with hybrid versions when they’re due for refresh or replacement.

Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber said “The SUV will be the first Bentley hybrid because it’s based on a new platform with new technology. You need space for batteries and technology, so we probably won’t do that for existing models. We will see hybrid versions of all of our cars, though.”

The SUV will “very likely be a plug-in” and would use similar tech to that found in the Porsche Panamera e-Hybrid, and will soon find its way into the Cayenne.

As part of the VW group, Bentley can use synergies from the VW group saving on the huge investments needed to develop hybrid technology.

The Bentley SUV development is on track for a 2016 launch, and likely a 2015 debut.

Bentley has received 2000 pre-orders based on the concept SUV unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.