Bentley displays SUV 'concept' 05 | 03 | 2012
BENTLEY LIFTED THE WRAPS from its EXP 9 F concept in Geneva to show what its 180mph, £150,000 Bentley SUV would look like … when it gets the green light. And make no mistake, the Bentley SUV will definitely enter production (watch the full press presntation from Geneva and first showing of the Bentley SUV).
But while Bentley bosses were keen to stress the car is "just a concept", there is no doubt the car will make it into production.
Powered by a re-engineered version of the current 6.0-litre petrol W12 engine, the concept is as long and slightly lower than a Range Rover, but much more powerful.
The flagship will be the W12 petrol version, but Bentley will also offer buyers the choice of a V8 diesel engine or a V6-based plug-in hybrid powertrain.
“We are aiming for the very top of the pinnacle with this model,” Bentley CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer said. “We want it to be the most prestigious, fastest and the most expensive SUV money can buy.
See more official photos of the Bentley EXP 9 F Concept
"We will position it well above the Range Rover, Porsche Cayenne Turbo S and Audi Q7, the most expensive European SUVs at present. There are no precedents for this car, but we are absolutely convinced it will work.”
And Duerheimer was quicki to slip into the conversation that the car is still awaiting full production approval from the main board.
Not surprisingly, emerging markets like China and Russia are seen by Duerheimer as areas of great potential for the Bentley EXP 9 F.
But he was also quick to point out that Bentley’s biggest market continues to be the USA, home of the full-size SUV.
Bentley is so confident of the success of its new SUV — a name has already been decided by the company for the car — it's likely tp become the marque’s best-selling model, with initial production around 3500 units rising to 5000 as markets develop.
Last year, the Bentley Mulsanne and Continental, sold a total of 7000 units. Any foreseeable production rise can be handled comfortably without any major expansion of Crewe’s relatively modern plant, says Duerheimer.
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The EXP 9 F is almost identical in length to the Range Rover at five metres, but its wheelbase is 200mm longer. It's also 150mm longer than the Porsche Cayenne which reflects the emphasis Bentley puts on creating a roomy rear compartment for a model which will often be chauffeur-driven.
he Bentley also sits between Range Rover and Cayenne for roof height and body width. Its driver sits 100mm higher than in a Porsche, but 30mm lower than in a Range Rover’s.
Bentley’s designers are especially proud of the EXP 9 F interior, which they believe is more luxurious and stylish, with better quality wood and leather and more equipment than any existing SUV.
“We want people to appreciate the luxury as they never have in an SUV,” design boss Dirk van Braeckel, whose team only started work on the 'concept last July', said.
.“The interior will be familiar to Bentley owners, because of things like the bullseye vents and organ-stops, but it will also feel very special.”
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Jim McGill