Thursday 5th September 2013

Bentley SUV - inside line

PH talks to a senior Bentley engineer to catch up on the latest news on the controversial SUV

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Back in July, Bentley confirmed that it will press on with the production of its first SUV having shown the divisive EXP 9 F concept at the Geneva motor show in 2012. Other than adding that the production model will be manufactured in Crewe, which will create some 1,000 jobs, specific details were kept quiet. PH caught up with Bentley engineer Stephen Davis to get the latest on an intriguing and potentially lucrative new project.

Now-deposed Audi man Durheimer launched SUV

We started with the tricky one - how he thought the EXP 9 F concept had been received... "There was a mixed reaction to the styling of the concept car," he says. "Some people thought it was a real bold statement, others weren't so sure. It also got different responses front to rear and interior to exterior. The interior seemed to be unanimously well received and the rear end was received more positively than the front end.

"It was put out there to test the water and to see if an SUV would work at all," he continues. "There's been a lot of evolution of the styling since that early concept. The last images I saw were quite different to the concept, and I personally thought it was a big improvement. You'll still recognise it as being a Bentley, but the front end won't be quite as loud as the concept's."

Some relief there perhaps. Will it really be a properly capable off-roader though, or is that something best left to the Range Rover? "It needs to have an ability off-road," says Davis, "but it doesn't need to be a huge mud-plugger that'll go ploughing through fields. I don't think that's the expectation, but it can't just be a car on stilts. It's got to perform in the environment it looks like it's designed for."

Which is what - a sporting SUV or a luxury one?

Interior better received than the exterior

"It's got to be at the sporty end of the SUV range, but it can't forsake luxury. It's going to be one of the most powerful SUVs, so we've got to work out how to put that power down properly. It can't be all-out luxury; it's got to be capable in corners as well," we're told.

Moving on to the engine we ask Davis whether there's any update on the 'consideration' expressed towards it featuring the 625hp W12 twin turbo.

"I would expect it to get the W12 engine," he says, simply. "There's a number of powertrains in consideration for it and it might be that it starts with one engine and we add two of three more fairly soon afterwards. The W12 is becoming one of the signatures of Bentley so I'm fairly sure you'll find it under the bonnet."

And cost?

"Lots of modelling has gone on to work out how it should be priced," says Davis. "I expect you would find it priced above a Range Rover at a premium level to fit with the brand."

 

[numtumfutunch]

im guessing I dont fit the target demographic

[whoami]

Beautiful.

[JonathanLegard]

Divisive?

I'd say that this was one of the least divisive cars I've seen for a long time.

[W124]

I thought it looked utterly appropriate myself. Shame they bottled it. Exactly what a Bentley should be like. Massive, ghastly and wonderful.

[nagsheadwarrior]

Horrible thing, Americans will love it though.

[LuS1fer]

I'm probably wrong but while I feel the Cayenne and RR can get away with a premium 4x4, I remain unconvinced that a hyper-expensive Bentley will be either so much better to warrant it or even necessary but then Bentley presumably know their own customers. Thebstyling does nothing for me, lacking the Bentley "weight" and looking a bit boring.

[whp1983]

Grim... Still there is enough footballers, oligarchs and Arab princes to fill the order books. Like jackdaws with big chequebooks!

And in that regard it hits its target market bang-on.

[A Scotsman]

This is a mistake which could destroy Bentley's reputation.

[tuscan1969]

I'm def not in the majority on this one but I think its exactly what Bentley needs (as a business) and it is absolutely beautiful inside.... granted the outside is not classically elegant but its very difficult to make a big 4x4 look sporty / elegant. Bently have to retain a company look (just like Porsche did ) and yet move the design language on.

I think its bold, brave and if I had the cash I'd certainly want one - only the Range Rover can get a look in (sorry Porsche/ Merc / BMW)....but maybe the rumoured Maserati SUV could be tempting.

[PtheP]

No matter how wonderful the inside is, it's small consolation when everyone on the outside is thinking 'what a muppet!'

[rtbpfd]

I'm just wondering when Ferrari and Lamborghini will make an SUV?
I can imagine the big Lambo now in bright orange

[Oddball RS]

Dear Bentley, Re. the exterior 'Start again'

[A Scotsman]

It looks a large Lada.

[anonymous-user]

rtbpfd said:

I'm just wondering when Ferrari and Lamborghini will make an SUV?
I can imagine the big Lambo now in bright orange

Didn't Lamborghini make an SUV in the 80's?
I seem to remember something of the sort..

[E38Ross]

A Scotsman said:

This is a mistake which could destroy Bentley's reputation.

Whilst I don't like it, I'm willing to bet you it won't hurt it's reputation. It's less of a "travesty" than porsche (sports car company) building the cayenne.... Bentley (a luxury car company) making a luxurious 4x4.

[whoami]

A Scotsman said:

It looks a large Lada.

[threespires]

I presume this is an Audi Q7 with a bit of extra wood and leather?
As some might say :- an un-Tardis, huge on the outside, small on the inside.

[boardtweet]

Oddball RS said:

Dear Bentley, Re. the exterior 'Start again'

"There's been a lot of evolution of the styling since that early concept. The last images I saw were quite different to the concept, and I personally thought it was a big improvement. You'll still recognise it as being a Bentley, but the front end won't be quite as loud as the concept's."

Looks like they have moved the exterior on quite a bit since that concept, it will be interesting to see it now!

[300bhp/ton]

Now that I like!


Why can't Jag make interiors that look like this any more?? or at least


BTW - like the exterior too.

[anonymous-user]

FullofBeans said:

Didn't Lamborghini make an SUV in the 80's?
I seem to remember something of the sort..

Yep, the LM.