Automotive

Bentley gets dirty with SUV teaser

Bentley gets dirty with SUV teaser
Bentley teases its upcoming production SUV
Bentley teases its upcoming production SUV
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The Bentley EXP 9 F concept
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The Bentley EXP 9 F concept
A look at the EXP 9 F's interior at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
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A look at the EXP 9 F's interior at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
Bentley gives the world a look at its first SUV concept
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Bentley gives the world a look at its first SUV concept
Bentley EXP 9 F SUV concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
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Bentley EXP 9 F SUV concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
Bentley teases its upcoming production SUV
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Bentley teases its upcoming production SUV
Bentley EXP 9 F SUV concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show
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Bentley EXP 9 F SUV concept at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show
Bentley SUV sketch from July 2013
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Bentley SUV sketch from July 2013
View gallery - 7 images

Last year, Bentley announced that it was moving ahead with its first SUV. Now it's given the world a glimpse of the ultra-premium utility vehicle in the form of a teaser picture.

While most of the vehicle is obscured by billowing dust (you know, because this SUV is going to do all kinds of off-roading when it hits the market), it's clear that Bentley is moving in a more Continental GT styling direction.

Looking straight at the Bentley SUV's face, we see that the headlights have been changed from the bulging, Mulsanne-like eyes of the EXP 9 F concept to a Continental GT-like configuration of large and small ovals.

It also appears that the sides of the front-end are more rounded and Continental-like when compared to the squared off mug of the EXP 9 F (pictured below). The windshield looks more sloped back than on the concept, and the unsightly nostrils hovering on either side of the grille are gone.

Bentley EXP 9 F SUV concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show
Bentley EXP 9 F SUV concept at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show

In the picture, it's hard to pinpoint exactly where the teased Bentley's tires meet the shifty desert sand below, but it appears to be a lower-riding, crossover-style utility vehicle, just like the beefy, 4WD station wagon styling of the EXP 9 F. This is supported by the teaser sketch Bentley showed last July.

Bentley SUV sketch from July 2013
Bentley SUV sketch from July 2013

Bentley reiterates the claim that its SUV will be the most luxurious and powerful in the world, with Bentley Chairman and Chief Executive Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber promising that, "it will create a completely new segment in the SUV market."

Bentley doesn't offer any new information on the car's specs or debut date, but it still has plenty of time given its 2016 production plans. It anticipates selling 3,000+ models per year.

Bentley may end up with the first ultra-luxury utility vehicle, but other manufacturers have displayed SUVs that play in the same territory.

Source: Bentley

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1 comment
1 comment
f8lee
I think this is the SUV for folks whose notion of "off roading" is to pull into the driveway of the polo field.