Bentley SUV confirmed by Bentley CEO

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?