Bentley SUV to start production for 2016
Bentley SUV will share a platform with Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and Volkswagen Touareg. Bentley expects its SUV to become the brand's top seller.
Bentley SUV will share a platform with Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and Volkswagen Touareg. Bentley expects its SUV to become the brand's top seller.
Although it was largely expected Bentley鈥檚 proposed聽SUV聽would聽eventually enter production, the automaker finally confirmed today that the project has been given the green light. The vehicle, which will share its platform with next-generation versions of the Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg, will be produced at Bentley鈥檚 main facility in Crewe, England and go on sale in 2016.
Over the next three years Bentley will invest more than $1.2 billion in its Crewe facility and the development of new models. Other possibilities include a聽convertible version of the Mulsanne flagship sedan.
But it is the SUV that will be the focus of Bentley鈥檚 endeavors for the next few years, as it is expected to be the brand鈥檚 top-selling model. The strong response from the public to build the聽vehicle聽is what ultimately swayed the decision makers at Bentley鈥檚 Volkswagen Group parent.
鈥淏entley fans all around the world are looking forward to the brand鈥檚 first SUV,鈥� Volkswagen Group CEO Martin Winterkorn said at today鈥檚 announcement. 鈥淭ogether we will make this new Bentley another true Bentley--powerful, exclusive and successful.鈥�
British Prime Minister David Cameron was also present at the announcement and welcomed the additional investment in Britain鈥檚 automotive industry, which he said was churning out a new聽car聽every 20 seconds.
As for the vehicle itself, it will be styled along the lines of 2012鈥檚 controversial聽EXP 9 F concept, albeit with major revisions to the design. Power in base trim is expected to come from Bentley鈥檚 twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8, while a twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 should remain an option. This range-topping engine is expected to be聽updated soon聽for improved performance and efficiency.
As previously confirmed by the automaker, a聽plug-in hybrid option聽may also feature. Based on the Volkswagen Group鈥檚 next-generation hybrid technology, the plug-in hybrid system likely employed in Bentley鈥檚 SUV will feature a V-6 engine and offer an electric-only driving range of 18 miles and 0-60 mph acceleration in less than 5 seconds.
Note, just one year after the Bentley SUV enters production Lamborghini will聽start production of its own SUV聽sharing the Volkswagen Group鈥檚 flexible platform.