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Bentley SUV confirmed by Bentley CEO

By Brett Davis |

Bentley has confirmed an all-new Bentley SUV will be heading towards showrooms in the foreseeable future. The new SUV will be a super-luxury off-road vehicle that could be built on an existing or upcoming Volkswagen/Porsche-based platform.

In a recent Auto Motor und Sport report in Germany, Bentley CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer confirmed that Bentley is planning a new SUV model to rival the likes of the Range Rover, the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.

Duerheimer expressed his concern for the exotic luxury SUV segment, and says Bentley should have a competitive product available. The segment has a strong market internationally, especially in the US, China and Europe.

It’s easy to jump to assumptions about possible platforms that could underpin the Bentley SUV. Audi and Porsche both have respective technology in the segment with the Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, all part of the Volkswagen Group, including Bentley.

However, reports say the new Bentley SUV – which, apparently, will be ready for the market after 2013 – will be based on the same platform as the future Porsche Cayenne of the same generation.

Even though the Porsche Cayenne would be considered a potential rival to a Bentley SUV, speculators say the Bentley version will most likely target the ultra-luxury market segment rather than the sports SUV segment, like the Porsche.

Either way, official details are yet to be mentioned so we’ll have to wait and see. What do you think though, should Bentley develop an SUV? Or should it stick to its more traditional luxury sedan formats?


 
  • A

    I’m quite glad to hear this. As the owner of a Range Rover, I have come to absolutely love the body style. It is true that I don’t take it off road, but it’s also true to say that it’s amazingly comfortable and it’s a good feeling being that high up off the road. So though I don’t think I can afford a Bentley anytime in the foreseeable future, I’ll be glad if they make this.

    • Cam

      Oh I do agree Thurston, I too find it rather disagreeable to be too close to that dirty road with all those peasants walking on it. The higher the better I say, toorah for now!

      • Able

        WTF is a Thurston?

    • Thrillhouse

      You are what’s wrong with the new-car buying public.

      • A

        Why? It’s just a body style I like, theres nothing wrong with that. It’s not as if I’m the only person in the world who doesn’t take their SUV off road, so please tell me what’s wrong with my opinion?

        • MJ

          its more the high emissions and needless excess that 4x4s carry for people, like yourself, that dont venture off of the tarmac. It seems like a luxury saloon or wagon would perform the necessary duties. The only trade-off is that oh-so-high driving position that gives you a domineering feeling behind the wheel will be replaced with that of the unwashed masses.

  • Buddy

    Will be interesting. however, nothing can compete with a Range Rover… a Range Rover Vogue.

  • Peanut

    I want mine to have lots of bling and be the highest SUV from the ground so I can look down on all the poor people as they drive past.

  • James

    Did someone steal those sketches from Ssanyong?

  • DDH

    You could see this one coming. The Bentley of old disappeared with the arrival of the W12 Continental GT. They have to do this to keep cars like the Azure T coming out of the factory.

  • PoisonEagle

    People moan and whinge when Porsche Bentley etc do things like this, but I find it interesting when a brands core values are challenged into a new segment.

  • http://www.facebook.com/peter.zaharis Peter Zaharis

    It was only a matter of time really. Bentley (or more to the point VW) are just catering to a market that is there. No matter how much we may not like it the market is there for a Bentley SUV and the company is in business to make money.

    And to be honest I am kinda of curious to see what they come up with even though I will nenver be able to afford one.

    It’s that kind of curiosity that makes me look at a new Aston Martin or Rolls Royce. One can only dream. :)

  • kj

    boy what a busy platform Touareg,Q7,Cayenne et al.How about a Skoda or a Seat version on the this mfp (multi-function platform)

  • http://Audi Robj

    enough with SUV’s already….more & better cars now.

  • Gohrig

    Too much bling to go off-road, looks fat and the green colour doesn’t help lower fuel consumption. Only ultra-rich soccer moms would buy this thing. If car enthusiasts were that rich they would probably buy a luxury sedan or sportscar…

  • GMTSUV

    The SUV has a place in society, otherwise it would not exist. I think I’ll still take a Range Rover…

  • http://carsconcept.info/ Oscar

    Bentley SUV concept car interesting, whether there was recent news about this concept?