The teaser does a good job of hiding the SUV’s overall lines but earlier spy shots have given us a good idea of what to expect from the off-roader. Billed as the “most luxurious and most powerful SUV in the market,” it’s clear that the yet-to-be-named SUV will take styling cues from Bentley’s latest Flying Spur sedan. Whereas the EXP 9 F concept featured front end-styling more in line with the range-topping Mulsanne, this prototype uses four LED headlight lifted from the sportier Flying Spur.
No concrete mechanical details have been revealed, but the SUV will likely utilize elements of the platform shared by the next-generation Volkswagen Touareg, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. Bentley’s twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W12 will be the only motor available at launch, but a plug-in hybrid drivetrain will be introduced in 2017. The SUV will eventually be offered with the company’s 4.0L twin-turbocharged V8.
The SUV will launch in 2016 with a two-row configuration, but an optional third-row is under consideration.
The SUV’s interior will be pure luxury with plenty of leather and wood. The SUV will use the same steering wheel as the Flying Spur, but it looks as though the utility vehicle could adopt an all-LCD instrument cluster.
Even with pricey ‘utes from Lamborghini and Maserati set to arrive in coming years, the Bentley could well end up as the world’s most expensive SUV thanks to a starting price north of $200,000. In the past, Bentley has hinted at plans to sell 3,000 examples each year – which would make it the automaker’s highest-volume vehicle.
The launch of the SUV, which will be built in Crewe, England (not Slovakia as previously rumored), will create 1,000 jobs in the UK. Bentley is investing $1.23 billion to develop the SUV and other new models, as well as to upgrade its headquarters in Crewe.
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