Bentley engineers are working to develop the carmaker’s first SUV, with the prototype having been recently spied during a stint on Alpine roads. The adjacent video reveals the Bentley SUV test vehicle tackling the twisties and elevation changes both in the dry and wet, with the vehicle looking composed.
Bentley previously stated that they’ve changed the design quite a bit compared to the styling on the EXP 9 F Concept that got a poor public reception. Judging by what we can see here, you should expect to see some sort of a Bentley Flying Spur in an SUV shape.
One thing is for sure though - the SUV will shine through the characteristic Bentley details. For instance, both the front and rear lights will take the automaker’s jewel-like design further via the LEDs inside the clusters.
The British carmaker’s stylish fenders will also be present, being built using Bentley’s aluminum superforming technique, which made its debut on the reworked Continental GT. The profile view also reveals door mirror-mounted side indicators.
This spy video doesn’t also take us inside the SUV, but last week’s spyshots do and we like what we see. The SUV will treat its occupants with an evolution of Bentley’s cabin styling. The most important change takes place right in front of the driver, or should we say chauffeur? This is where the SUV will feature digital instruments and, judging by what we’ve seen so far, the designers have managed to mold the digital matters into an elegant shape. Oh and let’s not forget the Head-Up Display, another first for the Flying B badge.
Bentley’s creation will wear the VW Group’s third-generation SUV platform underneath its sculpted attire. This will be shared with models such as the upcoming second-generation Audi Q7 and the Lamborghini Urus.
Judging by the sound in the adjacent clip, or rather lack thereof, it’s the W12 engine hiding under that massive bonnet. We kind of opened Pandora’s engine compartment, since the rumour mill has one to many hints on this Bentley. While the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 on the Continental GT and Flying Spur isn’t ruled out, even Diesel power is seems as a possibility. Should the latter receive the green light, expect a revamped incarnation of Audi’s V8 TDI.
The only thing Bentley has revealed is that the SUV, which lands in 2016, will receive a plug-in hybrid powertrain one year later - the brand will offer a hybrid alternative in every model range in the future.
Expect the Bentley SUV’s pricing to start somewhere around £140,000 (around $235.000/€172,700). Yes, for now this thing has no competitor.
In his quest to bring you the most impressive automotive creations, Andrei relies on learning as a superpower. There's quite a bit of room in the garage that is this aficionado's heart, so factory-condition classics and widebody contraptions with turbos poking through the hood can peacefully coexist. Full profile
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