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Bentley EXP 9F: SUV concept hits the road

By David Zalstein |
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New pictures of the Bentley EXP 9F concept car have been released following the car’s UK debut at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Bentley plans to make the production version of the 6.0-litre twin-turbo 12-cylinder EXP 9F the fastest and most luxurious SUV in the world, and with the company previously saying the engine could be encouraged to develop as much as 447kW and 800Nm, that could prove to be less unrealistic than it first sounds.

Bentley EXP 9F - 4

Built on the next-generation Volkswagen Touareg platform – VW Group’s new ‘MQB’ flexible modular set-up – the SUV would become Bentley’s third model in a range that currently includes the Mulsanne and the Continental.

Bentley EXP 9F - 3

Since the concept’s first appearance at this year’s 2012 Geneva motor show, the car has been the source of much discussion. While it is still destined for production, the repeated ‘unveilings’ are part of a systematic process designed to gauge customer and public reaction to the Bentley SUV.

“I’m sure people will like it, [but] people will [also] find it controversial in certain areas. And that’s a reason why the vehicle has already been a success,” said head of design at Bentley, Dirk van Braeckel, when talking exclusively with CarAdvice.

Bentley EXP 9F - 2

Once a production reality, the big Bentley will still have to face the likes of the Lamborghini Urus, Maserati Kubang and Eterniti Artemis in the performance-luxury SUV stakes.


 

  • MM

    Surely they will alter the appearance pre releasing this??? Certainly is far from being one of the most attractive concept cars released in the last 20yrs…

  • Daniel

    I don’t care what people say, I think this is brilliant. Bentley’s are sporting, but they are also about high class Rolls-Royce style presence. A high riding SUV has a lot of presence due to obviously to it’s size so I think this body style is actually ideal for a brand like Bentley. And at least it looks like a Bentley. The fact is that if you buy a Mulsanne you’ve got a great big limousine to cart around the place, at least you tend to have a good idea where the corners are on an SUV. I think SUVs are just what a lot of people want at this point in motoring history. And when they drive like they do these days and have the practicality that they do, it’s not hard to see why. People need to be less prejudiced against them, it’s just another body style.

    • Phunken

      “People need to be less prejudiced against them, it’s just another body style.”
      Right with a Sussan Boyle features, but i’m sure it has full of characters and hidden talent. Yes i agreed on SUV but not at this carnage of a design direction for a brand steep in elegant and class.

      • Daniel

        But what is actually wrong with it? I suppose that I feel a bit like people are just automatically against brands like Bentley, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Porsche etc. having SUVs, so when they bring them out people hate them before even thinking (granted, the Cayenne was ugly. Still a great car though). The only thing on this car that I think it could do without design wise is the little mini bits of grill next to the headlights. Other than that it holds all the characteristics of a Bentley, strong lines, emphasised bonnet, big round front lights and a huge chrome grill. I also personally love the huge strong wheel arches at the back and the shape of the back generally; it looks really usable and I think that’s pretty cool in something that will cost an awful lot. I didn’t like it originally either, maybe it’ll grow on people. But even if it doesn’t, I just don’t understand why some people are talking about it as if it’s the ugliest car ever made, it’s not that bad!

  • Westie

    I have no issue with Bentley building a super SUV. Almost makes sense given their early history of huge high performance cars.
    But does it have to be hideously ugly? This thing has no style, class or presence at all. The front is clumsily overdone, and the rear looks too small to fit the place it has to go.
    The sad thing is, they’re running with it. If the Geneva outing had been a one-off, you could presume it had been cobbled together during a night when the designers were on the turps. But the continued appearance suggests its not too far from the truth. And the professional interior shows they had plenty of time to do things properly.

  • Mike

    I’m pretty sure the Touareg and its clones are not going to be built on the MQB but on a separate platform. 

  • Salon

    I love it.

  • Smart US

    nice one – the front is really funny and busy for Bentley… the car overall shape and size is good… maybe they should go up to size of Q7 to have real presence (cant judge it from pic)… 

  • Golfschwein

    It’s really terrible… :(

  • gt86.com.au

    Reminds me of a modern LADA.. Looks like the oldschool Soviet Designers have finally joined the Western Workforce@! :)

    • Smart US

       yeah spot on… you found it – it is LADA – finally the modern language of old soviet time

    • Smart US

       yeah spot on… you found it – it is LADA – finally the modern language of old soviet time

      • Legnab

        Love it reminds me of that insane locomotive in GOLDEN EYE , big brutal front , yes very soviet .

  • Why?????????????

    I’m still waiting for someone to say april fool.

  • Captain Nemo

    So this is what happens when you let the work experience guy from Skoda’s design department visit Bentley.

    • Jhfbethtr

      do they let guide dogs in ?

  • aston

    It looks like and old Valiant at the front :-)

    • Igomi Watabi

      actually, now you mention it, have a look at the rear parts of it in the top photo. Can you see a hint of S-Series Valiant there?

  • Shak

    The VW group thought they had to outdo the Panamera….They succeeded. 

  • Antmindel

    Absorlutely hideous looking…

  • Igomi Watabi

    Generally, I see the large, luxury SUV with no off-road ability as a pointless exercise designed for people with no appreciation of cars. However, if they have to exist, I’m actually less in hate with this than I thought I would be. The front is not great, stemming from Bentley’s current obsession with oversized lighting, but not beyond redemption with a re-think of that obsession. The wheels are abominable. But I really do like the rear styling. More car-like and less like it was the last bit they bothered to design before turning off the lights in the evening. It’s certainly prettier than Cayenne.

  • Ovlov

    Now where have I seen that distinctive eyebrow over the headlight on a British car before …. ah yes – the Hillman Imp !

  • Matriciana

    What an utterly apalling looking vehicle. They should have just put a Chrysler Jeep badge on it and be done with it.