RE: Bentley SUV - green light, go

RE: Bentley SUV - green light, go

Tuesday 23rd July 2013

Bentley SUV - green light, go

2016 debut for Bentley's Range Rover challenger, with 1,000 jobs being created



We've seen the rather ungainly motor show concept, we've seen its potential rivals go from strength to strength, but now the news is official: Bentley will build an SUV.

Well, the sketch looks better than the concept
Well, the sketch looks better than the concept
Today's confirmation brings a few extra details on the as-yet unnamed off-roader; sales will begin in 2016, with an £800 million investment to prepare Crewe creating 1,000 jobs.

Bentley has also assured us the SUV will remain true 'to the brand hallmarks of luxury, performance, quality and craftsmanship... it will be the most luxurious and powerful SUV in the market'. The latter is certainly a significant claim given the level of opulence available in the Range Rover and the 550hp proffered by the Mercedes ML63 AMG. Will the Bentley be the first 600hp production SUV? There is a suitable 625hp W12 that could do the job...

That Bentley mentions its brand hallmarks is notable also, given the SUV will undoubtedly appeal across influential emerging markets where heritage is becoming less relevant. What a gigantic SUV will do for Bentley's perceived image is another issue moreover.

Range Rover sets benchmark for Bentley to beat
Range Rover sets benchmark for Bentley to beat
But the styling will remain the biggest point of contention following the, erm, controversial looks of the EXP 9 F/Falcon concept. Unfortunately, the latest sketch reveals very little. Bentley has promised the SUV's styling 'will set it apart from any other SUV on the road wand will be true to the Bentley design DNA'. Whether that's set it apart like the VolvoC30 or set it apart like the Ssangyong Rexton remains to be seen...

For now, that's all we know. Bentley is keen to emphasise the importance of a fourth model joining the Continental, Flying Spur and Mulsanne in its line-up without revealing too much. Updates (and images!) as they arrive.

Author
Discussion

Wills2

Original Poster:

22,666 posts

174 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Excellent news for jobs, I wonder how much it will cost, 150k?


Tuvra

7,920 posts

224 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
It cannot look like the concept, surely? hehe

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
A new standard in ugly SUVs has been set.

ETA: I like the way the photo shows that it is driving off road, even though there is a road right next to the dirt track it is driving on. Nicely illustrates its off road credentials.

Cable

239 posts

182 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
First thing that comes to mind when I see that is Allegro Vanden Plas

martin mrt

3,768 posts

200 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
A rebodied Touareg/Cayenne looking at that picture

TobesH

550 posts

206 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all



DoctorX

7,240 posts

166 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
"Unfortunately, the latest sketch reveals very little..."

Actually, I think I can picture exactly what it will look like if it is based on that sketch. You just know it will have the Conti style front and rear.

Range Rover please.

kambites

67,460 posts

220 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
martin mrt said:
A rebodied Touareg/Cayenne looking at that picture
Almost certainly. It would be daft to create a new platform from scratch when they have a perfectly good one lying around already.

Contigo

3,113 posts

208 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Yep Cayenne Mk1 springs to mind at first glance.


rhinochopig

17,932 posts

197 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Almost without exception, off-roaders need to have an angular design theme or they just look wrong.

I thought the Cayenne was a howler but that is just awful.

seismic22

643 posts

168 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Why did this have to be posted before lunch.........I'm not sure I am up to eating now....... vomit

Asterix

24,438 posts

227 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
These are going to plague Dubai's streets as soon as they're available.

It makes the original Cayenne look like Audrey Hepburn.

Small Car

877 posts

198 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Congratulations Crewe!

FarmerJim

415 posts

158 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Poor old WO must be spinning in his grave. How this once mighty brand has fallen.

Gorbyrev

1,160 posts

153 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
TobesH said:


rofl The return of the Bentley Bastille judgetank

B17NNS

18,506 posts

246 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
In the name of all that's holy. That's one fking ugly automobile.

Contigo

3,113 posts

208 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
This will sell like hotcakes!!!!!........... in China!!!! biggrin


TonyHetherington

32,091 posts

249 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
I love it biggrin

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
My only question: Why has this taken so long??

They already have access to a suitable floor pan / powertrain from the VW empire, or they could just stick a lift kit on the GT?? (big engine: check, 4x4: check)

TNH

559 posts

146 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
So who is clever enough to earn the massive amount of money required for one of these, but then stupid enough to spend that money on one of these?