Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept to spawn new coupe?

Bentley has hinted that the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept that was presented to the public earlier this week at the Geneva Motor Show could spawn a regular-production model.
“The concept has the potential to be the pinnacle luxury two-seat sports car,” affirmed company CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer in an interview with British magazine Autocar. “It represents one vision for Bentley’s future,” he added.

The magazine speculates that the production version of the EXP 10 Speed 6 could ride on the same MSB platform as the next-gen Porsche Panamera and the upcoming fourth-gen Audi A8. Building the coupe on the MSB platform is a win-win situation for both Bentley and parent company Volkswagen because it would allow the former to cut development costs while enabling the latter to benefit from economies of scale.

Although the concept was powered by an advanced gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrain, the production version of the EXP 10 Speed 6 will likely use an evolution of the Audi-sourced twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine that is currently found under the hood of a number of Bentley products. Power will be sent to the rear wheels via an automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive will likely be offered at an extra cost.

Whether or not the concept’s daring styling will make the jump from the show floor to showrooms will largely depend on the reponse that it generates among current and prospective Bentley owners.

If approved for production, the yet-unnamed coupe will land in approximately three years with a base price that will lie in the vicinity of £120,000 (approximately $180,000). Bentley hopes the coupe and its upcoming SUV will allow it to build 20,000 cars annually by the year 2020, over twice what it sold in 2013.

Live images by Ronan Glon.