RE: More new Bentleys coming

RE: More new Bentleys coming

Thursday 14th February 2013

More new Bentleys coming

Don't worry, they're not all SUVs either!



Having launched both the V8-powered Continental GT and the W12 Continental GT Speed during 2012 - as well as the new GTC Speed droptop just this week - Bentley will unveil further new models in the coming months.

Revised Flying Spur first, EXP 9 F to follow
Revised Flying Spur first, EXP 9 F to follow
On Monday, Crewe will pull the covers off the second generation Flying Spur. "The first Flying Spur was simply a four-door Continental GT," says chief engineer Ken Scott, "but this new version will look quite different."

The marque is also at an "advanced stage of development" with its controversial SUV. The EXP 9 F concept broke cover at the Geneva motor show last year to considerable criticism for its bold styling. Although the final production model will differ slightly in appearance, the concept was in fact met with overwhelming approval when shown to potential customers, particularly those in the Middle and Far Eastern markets that will eventually account for the bulk of sales. It will have genuine off-road capabilities, too.

Go on, build us a road car version ... please!
Go on, build us a road car version ... please!
Although no further details were offered, Scott also confirmed that both the Audi-sourced twin-turbo V8 and the venerable twin-turbo W12 powerplants both had more to offer, so we should expect more powerful versions of each in the near future. Scott wouldn't be drawn on the likelihood of a second-generation Supersports model, although he did explain that the original version was a success and attracted new customers to the brand. When quizzed about a more focused version of the Continental GT V8, Scott did admit that the weight saving compared to the W12 - although not vast - did significantly improve handling due to its location over the front axle.

Plug-in hybrid technology is likely to feature in Bentley's forthcoming models - "one of the benefits of being part of the Volkswagen-Audi Group" - but we shouldn't expect to see a diesel powered Bentley any time soon. Having pioneered the use of E20 biofuels in the luxury marketplace, the marque has now shelved such projects; "We were the only manufacturer doing it and the infrastructure just wasn't there. We weren't the right company to pioneer the use of biofuel," says Scott.

Bentleys will get greener in more than just paint
Bentleys will get greener in more than just paint
With yet more powerful versions of the Continental GT in the pipeline and the marque's first SUV just over the horizon, 2013 looks like being an exciting year for Bentley.

Author
Discussion

Carnnoisseur

Original Poster:

531 posts

153 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
Quite intrigued by the percentage of sales achieved by Bentley for the Flying Spur, just doesnt seem as popular?

On a more positive note, I'm sure the Hybrid variant will be a welcome offering to the current line up and that the high levels of luxury and performance will not be sacrificed - just hope they dont leave it too much longer.

giltranator

346 posts

187 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
The EXP 9F is going to have to be extremely good to beat the new Range Rover

GranCab

2,902 posts

145 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
giltranator said:
The EXP 9F is going to have to be extremely good to beat the new Range Rover
...especially as it looks a bit lik a "Bentleyfied" Q7 in that photo !

Evo

3,462 posts

253 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
Too much Thunderbirds and not enough Bentley for me. It's definitely not a looker, I'm sure the peeps at Bentley can do something a little better.

Jaffers

67 posts

138 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
Can anyone else see a very large dose of early seventies Triumph 2500 (both saloon and estate) in the rear three quarters shot of the EXP 9F? The rear wheel arch, the window shapes, the chrome...

Ashley1987

698 posts

138 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
The off roader looks like Vanessa Feltz......


.....Feltz (Shudder)

Ozzie Osmond

21,189 posts

245 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
IMO Bentley has become the very pinacle of bad taste. Big, heavy, lumpen things - blinged up and tackified for the Geordie Shore mentality.

robsprocket

109 posts

177 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
Jaffers said:
Can anyone else see a very large dose of early seventies Triumph 2500 (both saloon and estate) in the rear three quarters shot of the EXP 9F? The rear wheel arch, the window shapes, the chrome...
No.

rtz62

3,340 posts

154 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
Must admit, the EXP 9F is no looker.
But, do people with that sort of money care? Witness Premiership footballers who drive Escalades etc....

Eviltad

1,320 posts

178 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
[quote=rtz62]Must admit, the EXP 9F is no looker.
quote]

It has been restyled since these promo shots. I've not seen the re-design yet however.

marcosgt

11,011 posts

175 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
robsprocket said:
Jaffers said:
Can anyone else see a very large dose of early seventies Triumph 2500 (both saloon and estate) in the rear three quarters shot of the EXP 9F? The rear wheel arch, the window shapes, the chrome...
No.
Nope, the 70s Triumphs were stylish biggrin

M.

SpeckledJim

31,608 posts

252 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
Jaffers said:
Can anyone else see a very large dose of early seventies Triumph 2500 (both saloon and estate) in the rear three quarters shot of the EXP 9F? The rear wheel arch, the window shapes, the chrome...


ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
SpeckledJim said:

Both have four wheels and nearly the same colour!

Trusty Steed

288 posts

193 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
By the looks of the Flying Spur, I think Mr Tata will sleep well tonight! Keep it Green & Gold smile

Zod

35,295 posts

257 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
How are they going to make cars that weigh well over two tonnes green?

ZesPak

24,421 posts

195 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
Zod said:
How are they going to make cars that weigh well over two tonnes green?


getmecoat

Jaffers

67 posts

138 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
ZesPak said:
SpeckledJim said:

Both have four wheels and nearly the same colour!
Nice.

Igloo124

8 posts

212 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
[quote=Carnnoisseur]Quite intrigued by the percentage of sales achieved by Bentley for the Flying Spur, just doesnt seem as popular?

The Flying Spur may not be that prevalent in the UK, but it has huge sales in markets that prefer four door cars eg China, where they don't like coupes as much as we do...

Talented009

68 posts

134 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
Would have been the perfect opportunity to ditch what's left of the flying spur and therefore replace it with a much sportier,youthful car with a coupé like profile that can sit four grown adults in absolute comfort.
I would also like to see a lightweight two seater continental inspired car.It would have to feature the most beautiful bodywork of any Bentley in the past decade

Zod

35,295 posts

257 months

Thursday 14th February 2013
quotequote all
Talented009 said:
I would also like to see a lightweight two seater continental inspired car.It would have to feature the most beautiful bodywork of any Bentley in the past decade
It wouldn't be difficult to make a more beautiful car than they have produced in the last decade!