Bentayga not floating your boat? You're clearly not Bentley enough, boss Wolfgang Durheimer revealing to us in a pre-dinner speech on the launch for the
new super SUV
that the business case was originally based on an annual production run of 3,600 cars. And it's already projecting to do 5,500 in the first year.
Something sportier than a spoiler coming it sounds
Admitting with a wry grin that it's sometimes better to be outside of the centre of things, Durheimer seems to be relishing being tucked up in Crewe and far away from the dramas in Wolfsburg. And like Porsche with its Cayenne, entering the SUV sector will give him money to invest in two new models. Both are under development with Durheimer declining to commit to which will get the nod first; seemingly it's not an either/or question though.
One proposal is "taking the best of Bentayga, and making an even more performance-enhanced version." Because, you know, a 600hp-plus luxury SUV is just a bit apologetic. "We believe this car provides an ideal starting point to deliver an even sportier model with an alternative body style," insists Durheimer, going on to say it will have "a unique styling direction and a true wow factor." Brace yourselves for that one then.
The other is perhaps a little more up our street, building on what Durheimer describes as "phenomenal" response to the sleek looking EXP10 Speed 6concept shown earlier in the year at Geneva. Rather than a glimpse at the future direction of the next generation Continental GT, which remains the flagship 2+2, a production Speed 6 would be a two-seater slotting in beneath, creating a new entry level to the Bentley range and a rival to Aston Martin, Maserati, Jaguar and even fancier BMWs like the 6 Series.
We can let the Bentayga off if this makes production
Given Bentley has invested in an all-new W12 for the Bentayga and takes twin-turbo V8s from Audi you'd have to hope a big, powerful internal combustion engine will be at its core. But Durheimer doesn't rule out using the production Speed 6 as a means of bringing an electric Bentley to the market. If it's a greenwash for the Bentley range and a way of bringing down the corporate CO2 average it's being done in a suitably British Racing shade. Details are limited but if he can get viable range with 400-500hp Durheimer reckons an electric Speed 6 is a goer, the smooth, torquey power delivery of electric motors being an easier sell for Bentley customers raised on turbocharged W12s than it might be for other brands.
All of which sounds appealing enough. But, if you're anything like us, the vision of some sort of BMW X6 / Mercedes GLE Coupe style spin-off from the Bentayga is probably the one dominating your thoughts. Gulp.