Autoblog

Bentley SUV given green light by VW board

Chris Paukert — Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:02:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Bentley, Design/Style, Luxury

The "will they, won't they" saga over Bentley's SUV plans appears to finally be over. They will. That's according to the German business newspaper Handelsblatt, which is reporting that the controversial SUV will be built after receiving the go-ahead from Volkswagen's board.

Known internally as "Falcon," the still-unnamed Bentley SUV will be based on the EXP 9 Concept that received wildly mixed reviews at its 2012 Geneva Motor Show unveiling. Since the EXP 9's unveiling, there have been a steady stream of leaks and rumors suggesting that the bold-faced vehicle will get a redesign prior to going into production, but it remains unclear how different the final vehicle will look.

According to Automotive News, Bentley is itself stopping short of confirming the green-light report, though it does admit that the SUV's production outlook appears "very positive." Production will likely take place in Slovakia at a plant owned by parent Volkswagen.

Seen as a key part of Bentley's plan to expand its sales volumes, the SUV is expected to arrive within three years under V8 and possibly W12 power, just like the brand's volume Continental GT range. Said to start at a cost of some 200,000 euros - over $270,000 US - the Bentley will stare down a suddenly crowded segment of luxury utility vehicles, taking on newcomers like the Maserati Levante and as-yet unnamed Lamborghini SUV along with segment stalwarts like the Land Rover Range Rover and Porsche Cayenne.

Bentley SUV given green light by VW board originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Feb 2013 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley EXP 9 F to be redesigned, renamed Falcon?

Jeffrey N. Ross — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:00:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Bentley, Luxury

In concept form, the Bentley EXP 9 F had neither the styling nor the name to impress us when we first saw it earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, and while we already knew some sort of design change was imminent, we're unsurprisingly now hearing that a name change is also in the cards. Automobile Magazine is reporting that the eventual production Bentley SUV will get a complete redesign from what we saw in the EXP 9 F, and it will wear a new name as well: Falcon.

The article says that Luc Donckerwolke, Bentley's newly appointed director of design, is giving the SUV a complete redesign from the concept vehicle, which goes against what we last heard of the vehicle in August that a "radical redesign" was not in the cards. Donckerwolke has been on the design team at various Volkswagen Group automakers since 1992, helping to pen such memorable designs as the Lamborghini Gallardo and Murciélago, but now he is tasked with giving Bentley an SUV worthy of its lineup. Last we heard, the model could go into production in 2015, but there is no indication whether the Falcon will get three-row seating or a plug-in hybrid version as has been previously rumored.

Bentley EXP 9 F to be redesigned, renamed Falcon? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 22 Nov 2012 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lamborghini and Bentley may hold off on SUVs so VW can conserve cash

Chris Tutor — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:16:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Europe, Crossover, Bentley, Lamborghini, Volkswagen, Earnings/Financials, Luxury

After surveying the European economic scene, Volkswagen may have decided now is not the time to launch utility vehicles with Bentley and Lamborghini badges. Bentley officials say they will continue to push for support for the EXP 9 F and Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelman has said planning for the Urus will continue until VW tells it to stop.

That decision could come on November 23, when VW's board will vote on the company's budget for equipment, factories and vehicles. With VW's sales slowing and the Euro economy slumping further, some industry watchers say the company is more likely to build its cash reserves than to introduce super-expensive luxury SUVs or crossovers.

"Such vehicles are anything but obligatory during a crisis," says Frankfurt-based Equinet AG analyst Tim Schuldt in a new Automotive News Europe story. "Delaying their launch would be no drama but help save costs."

Lamborghini and Bentley may hold off on SUVs so VW can conserve cash originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 11 Oct 2012 14:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Production Bentley EXP 9 F could get optional 3rd row au pair seating

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:28:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Performance, SUV, Bentley, Luxury

While at Pebble Beach, Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer sat down with Inside Line to elaborate on plans for the production version of its controversial EXP 9 F concept SUV. As recently as a month ago, the blue behemoth was still being talked about as if a final decision hadn't been made, Durheimer didn't appear to show any reticence when discussing what the report cited as "the 2015 production date."

The big news is that no "radical redesign" of its exterior is planned before it arrives. That could be wordplay hinging on the term "radical," since reports of a redesign surfaced the same month the EXP 9 F was revealed, and a report in Autocar last month cited Volkswagen Group sources as saying "the front and rear end styling would need to be modified" for production. On the other hand, Dürheimer told Inside Line that Bentley customers rated the looks of the SUV "only a 7 out of 10."

We're not sure if he meant the word "only" in humility or sarcasm; Dürheimer has plenty of cheek, as evidenced in his line that Bentley has "solved [the] problem" of there being no SUV on the market above the $170,000 mark.

At whatever price that ends up being, the EXP 9 F will be able to go off-road but won't be a devoted off-roader, capable enough, however, to handle Middle Eastern dunes, polo fields and yacht launches. And don't let anyone tell you that Bentley doesn't care about the help, either: the lauded interior, which isn't expected to change much for production, might get optional third-row seating for the owner's au pair. All those Swedish lasses can rest easy now.

Production Bentley EXP 9 F could get optional 3rd row au pair seating originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 16:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #296

Dan Roth — Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts

2013 Range Rover, Bentley to drop 6.75-liter V8, Honda Earth Dreams

Episode #296 of the Autoblog Podcast is here, and this week Dan Roth, Alex Nunez and George Kennedy talk about the coming wave of Bentley diesels and hybrids now that the 6.75-liter V8 is being wound down, along with talk of Honda's Earth Dreams powertrains and the new 2013 Land Rover Range Rover. Your questions and comments power the end of the 'cast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. Keep reading for our Q&A module for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #296:

Topics:

In the Autoblog Garage:
2013 Dodge Challenger
2013 Mazda CX-5
2013 Chrysler 300

Hosts: Dan Roth, Alex Nunez, George Kennedy

Runtime: 01:20:42

Get the podcast
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Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #296

Autoblog Podcast #296 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 21 Aug 2012 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley releases first rolling footage and new images of EXP 9 F Concept

John Neff — Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:44:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Videos, Bentley, Design/Style, Luxury

Bentley has now paraded its EXP 9 F concept in front of crowds at the Geneva Motor Show where it debuted, the Beijing Motor Show, and most recently at last weekend's Goodwood Festival of Speed in the UK. Still claiming that the concept SUV is "part of a systematic and comprehensive process of gauging customer and public reaction to the idea of a Bentley SUV," yet nevertheless getting very specific about what would power such an SUV and how many they would hope to sell, the English automaker is clearly marching this concept down a path towards production.

In the wake of its latest debut to the English country folk, Bentley has released a new set of EXP 9 F images, as well as the first video of it in motion. Scroll down and hit play to see what you'd look like idling through the forest in your own Bentley sport ute.

Why release new images and a video now? It may have something to do with a report by Autocar that claims Bentley pitched the idea of developing the EXP 9 F for production to the brass at parent company Volkswagen last week. Autocar claims the concept attracted enough interest from potential buyers to play a part in the Volkswagen Group's decision, noting that the vehicle's controversial front and rear styling treatments would have to change (echoing sentiments we've heard before). The interior, however, has reportedly been so well received that it likely won't change much at all.

Continue reading Bentley releases first rolling footage and new images of EXP 9 F Concept

Bentley releases first rolling footage and new images of EXP 9 F Concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Jul 2012 12:44:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley plotting Dakar effort with used VW Touareg racers?

Noah Joseph — Fri, 18 May 2012 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SUV, Bentley, Off-Road, Racing

Bentley is an automaker not without its own racing pedigree, but the bulk of that is anchored in the 1920s and at Le Mans, to which it returned in winning form in the earlier part of the new millennium with the Speed 8. The latest development could, however, see the Flying B marque enter into another class of motorsport competition altogether.

That opposite end of the endurance racing spectrum is the torturous Dakar rally. We first published rumors of Crewe's consideration of the possibility back in November, but according to CAR Magazine, those rumors are apparently kicking into high gear.

That much is owed largely to the emergence of the above-pictured EXP 9 F program, Bentley's concept SUV currently under development. Well, sorta. Bentley's parent company Volkswagen recently withdrew from the Dakar rally after winning it three times in a row - ostensibly to focus on its new World Rally Championship effort, but spurring rumors all the same of it transferring the team to another brand.

Given that the EXP 9 F is based (or would be, anyway) on an architecture related to the Touareg - the race model of which is what the VW team used to dominate the event - the facilitation of Bentley's take-over of the program could prove even more straight-forward than the manner in which Audi successfully supported Bentley's Le Mans team.

To wit, the boys from Crewe are said to be in the process of buying back all the Race Touareg rigs - complete with their 2.5-liter twin-turbo diesels producing 300 horsepower and 442 lb-ft of torque - that Volkswagen sold to privateer teams upon its departure, suggesting rather poor planning and perhaps only a passing resemblance to the eventual production EXP 9 F (which, incidentally, isn't expected to look like the concept above).

Bentley plotting Dakar effort with used VW Touareg racers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 18 May 2012 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley can do better than the EXP 9 F Concept [w/video]

Damon Lavrinc — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:43:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Bentley, Design/Style, Luxury

Bentley has been hinting at the possibility of a full-size ultra-luxury SUV for a few years and here in Geneva the rumors finally became reality in all their awkwardly majestic glory.

Just as awkward is the 'ute concept's name: the EXP 9 F, which is about as imaginative and puzzling as its styling. If you were to task a sophomore Photoshop wizard to digitally create a Bentley SUV, this would be the result. And that's probably the most disappointing aspect of the EXP 9 F - its utter predictability.

Grabbing bits from the Mulsanne and Continental range, mounting them up front, raising the ride height and then adding a liftback hatch is the easy way out. Same for the interior, which takes Bentley's bespoke aesthetic and gives it the Big Gulp treatment. Maybe we're too plebeian, but for this ute's target demographic, it just doesn't carry the gravitas you'd expect of something this large wearing the Flying B.

The same applies to the drivetrain, which utilizes the 6.0-liter W12 that's been doing duty in the Continental for years. The only interesting propulsion proposition is the possible fitment of Bentley's new V8, augmented with an electric motor and battery pack to make the world's largest and least efficient plug-in hybrid.

It's just bad on all sides, so like the Aston Martin Lagonda concept before it, we're hoping Bentley sees the light, heads back to the drawing board and comes up with something befitting of such a storied marque. Just after it quietly pulls it off the show stand, just like Aston did two years ago.

Continue reading Bentley can do better than the EXP 9 F Concept [w/video]

Bentley can do better than the EXP 9 F Concept [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Mar 2012 05:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley to unveil plug-in hybrid SUV concept in Geneva

Noah Joseph — Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Bentley, Electric, Luxury

The legendary Ettore Bugatti once famously (and derisively) referred to Bentley cars as "the world's fastest lorries" - the British term for heavy trucks. Fast-forward a few decades and Ettore's proclamation is edging toward the truth, as the British brand is rumored to be launching its first-ever SUV - at least in conceptual form - at next week's Geneva Motor Show.

The model - which would expand the Bentley range from two models to three - is earmarked by Bentley/Bugatti Chief Exec Wolfgang Dürheimer (pictured at left with his predecessor, Dr. Franz-Josef Paefgen) to account for some 3,500 to 5,000 units annually, or a total of about 25,000 units in the vehicle's lifecycle. But the SUV from Crewe isn't just about expanding sales figures, it's also about innovation, as the model is rumored to incorporate what would not only be the company's first hybrid propulsion system, but a plug-in one at that, relegating the engine (which you can bet will still be Bentley big) to also-ran status.

We're eagerly anticipating the results when we get to the Geneva Palexpo, but while the show car is expected to be a concept still several years away from production, one thing's for sure: Bentley won't be alone in jumping from high-end cars to SUVs. It's a path forged by its sister company Porsche (where Dürheimer long served as a senior executive) with the Cayenne, set to be followed by sister marque Lamborghini with a concept car at the Beijing Auto Show in April (not to mention its original SUV, the LM002), and currently being pursued by rival Maserati with the Kubang now being groomed for production.

Bentley to unveil plug-in hybrid SUV concept in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley coming down to SUV decision as 2011 figures return it to profitability

Noah Joseph — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Bentley, Earnings/Financials, Luxury

After two consecutive years posting losses in its balance book, Bentley is back in the black as the figures came in for the close of 2011. But don't think for one minute that the ultra-luxe British marque is about to stop there. No, Bentley's new CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer (pictured above, right) has big plans for the company, and having headed product development at Porsche for years, that can only mean one thing: more new vehicles. More types of vehicles, more bodystyles and more derivatives.

The biggest potential item in the pipeline is an SUV, a plan which Bentley has had in the making for some time now and which Dürheimer recently indicated in a conference call will be decided on soon. The Bentley of sport-utes would be significantly more upscale than anything currently offered, with a price tag upwards of $140,000, with underpinnings borrowed from the Porsche Cayenne which Dürheimer helped launch himself.

Beyond the SUV, the Bentley chief executive also hinted at a new sportscar range that would include a two-seat coupe, a hardtop convertible and even a racing version. The model would likely take the fight more directly to Aston Martin, against whose smaller GTs the larger Continental GT range currently competes with.

On the sales front, The Flying B was the first automaker to report its December figures and the 2011 calendar year as a whole, with global sales up 37 percent last year to 7,003 units. Sales for December were also up 69 percent versus 2010 to 1,059 cars, which Bentley claims is its second-best sales month of all time and best since the recession began.

What's more interesting is how Bentley sales break down geographically. The U.S. remains the brand's best-selling market with 2,021 cars sold, but sales in China "virtually doubled" last year to 1,839 units. In fact, the Chinese had already bought more Bentleys by last July than they did in all of 2010. With that kind of momentum, China should easily overtake the U.S. as as the automaker's best customer base in 2012. Even struggling Europeans managed to increase their appetites, buying 53 percent more last year than the year before. Follow the jump for the latest statement on Bentley's financial health.

Continue reading Bentley coming down to SUV decision as 2011 figures return it to profitability

Bentley coming down to SUV decision as 2011 figures return it to profitability originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 04 Jan 2012 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley gearing up to take on Dakar?

Noah Joseph — Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Bentley, Rumormill, Off-Road, Racing

Dakar. The very name conjures up images of daring dashes through the brutish desert, running down scorpions and dodging terrorists at full throttle. Not exactly the place you'd expect to find a Bentley, then, but that's what the rumormill is pointing towards today.

Wait a second, you say, Bentley's parent company Volkswagen is already a dominant force in the Dakar rally! And right you are. But now that it's heading to the World Rally Championship, VW isn't expected to return to the iconic desert race. Which leaves it with two options: either mothball the operation it's been cultivating to domination over the past several years and hand victory to one of its erstwhile rivals, or bring in one of its subsidiary divisions.

Okay, makes sense, but why Bentley? Well, the British luxury marque is understood to be preparing to roll out an SUV, and Dakar could be just the place to prove it won't be just some pampered show horse.

The last rumor linking Bentley with a world-class racing series revolved, much like its actual last foray, around Le Mans. But with sister-companies Audi and Porsche gearing up to contest the endurance race next season, this Dakar scenario suddenly doesn't seem so far-fetched.

Bentley gearing up to take on Dakar? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Nov 2011 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley's upcoming SUV to pack twelve cylinders

Noah Joseph — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Bentley, Luxury

Sport-utility vehicles and big engines go together like peanut butter and jelly. Surprising, then, that nobody offers one with a twelve-cylinder engine. But if the latest reports prove accurate, that's all about to change.

It's not that there's never been a twelve-cylinder SUV, but none are currently offered in the U.S. market and the only offerings from mainstream automakers are from Volkswagen Group divisions. Audi continues to offer the Q7 with a V12 in overseas markets, but that's a diesel. Lamborghini shoehorned the Countach's V12 into the LM002, but that hasn't been around since the early 90s.

Enter the next contender from the VW Group, coming from the division that produces more twelve-pots than any other automaker on God's green earth. Bentley's upcoming SUV is expected to borrow its underpinnings from the Porsche Cayenne (no V12 there), but the upcoming crossover from Crewe is, according to sources quoting Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer, slated to get a new version of the W-12 engine in the Continental. The Q7's V12 TDI could find its way under the Bentley's hood as well, which would be a first for the Flying B marque that has long been linked to potential diesel propulsion.

Bentley's upcoming SUV to pack twelve cylinders originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 11 Oct 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog Podcast #245

Dan Roth — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:45:00 EST

Filed under: Frankfurt Motor Show, Podcasts, Hybrid, SUV, Etc., Bentley, Chevrolet, Ford, Toyota, Volkswagen, Russia

2012 Toyota Camry, Frankfurt Motor Show, Russia to Alaska tunnel, Bentley SUV and hybrid

Episode #245 of the Autoblog Podcast is here. This week, Chris, Dan, and Zach are joined by Drew Phillips, just back from Monterey. Topics we cover include the 2012 Toyota Camry, concepts we'll see at the upcoming Frankfurt Motor Show, the tunnel from Russia to Alaska and Bentley hybrids and SUVs. Your questions and comments power the last third of the podcast, and for those of you who hung with us live on our UStream channel, thanks for taking the time. We've embedded our Q&A module after the jump for you to scroll through and follow along, too. Thanks for listening!

Autoblog Podcast #244:

In the Autoblog Garage
2011 Ford Fiesta SES Hatchback
2011 Chevrolet Suburban LTZ
Long-Term 2011 Volkswagen Jetta TDI

Hosts: Dan Roth, Chris Shunk, Zach Bowman, Drew Phillips
Runtime: 01:14:27

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #245

Autoblog Podcast #245 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #245 LIVE

Dan Roth — Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Bentley, Toyota, Russia

We record Episode #244 of the Autoblog Podcast tonight, and you can drop Chris, Dan and Zach your questions via our Q&A module below. Check out our discussion topics or chime in to help determine what else the crew chats about this evening, too. Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes if you haven't already done so, and if you want to take it all in live, tune in to our UStream (audio only) channel at 10:00 PM Eastern tonight.

Discussion Topics for Autoblog Podcast Episode #245

Subscribe to the Autoblog Podcast and hear your questions asked:
[UStream] Interact LIVE at UStream - 10PM Eastern on Monday, August 29, 2011
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Submit your questions for Autoblog Podcast #245 LIVE originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 29 Aug 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley CEO confirms plug-in hybrid plans, SUV development

Zach Bowman — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Hybrid, SUV, Europe, Bentley

The crew at Motor Trend recently took the time to sit down with Wolfgang Durheimer, president and CEO of Bentley, for a chat about what we can expect to see from the ultra-luxury manufacturer in the near future. As we've heard, plans are already in the works for a Bentley SUV. Why sully the brand with a high-rider? As it turns out, carmakers need to make money, and while Bentley currently boasts two new models, the whole SUV/crossover thing is an excuse to mint money. To combat aging, Durheimer wants to give buyers something unique to spend their cold, hard cash on. The CEO says that the SUV segment is still growing worldwide, after all.

The vehicle would likely borrow a platform from the Volkswagen stable, though odds are it wouldn't come packing the luscious W12 offered in the Audi A8L. So much for letting our imaginations run wild...

More revelatory news, however, comes in the form of word that Bentley is also apparently ready to wade into the plug-in hybrid realm to further court the American market. Durheimer said Bentley won't bother with a standard hybrid at this late date, opting instead to dive straight into the plug-in market.

Bentley CEO confirms plug-in hybrid plans, SUV development originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 26 Aug 2011 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley CEO Dürheimer talks about what his brand's SUV could look like

Jeff Glucker — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Bentley

Rumors of a Bentley SUV have been swirling for years. We reported on the possibility of a Crewe-built sport utility vehicle all the way back in 2007, and the same story seems to pop up every other year. This year, however, it seems that rumor has a little more meat backing it up.

Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer appears to be a fan of the luxury SUV. Formerly of Porsche, Dürheimer is the man responsible for bringing the Cayenne into existence, and he now plans to develop a flying B-badged lumberer for his British brand.

Dürheimer recently spoke with Car and Driver to talk about the Bentley SUV, and he described how the vehicle will look. It will of course be instantly recognizable as a Bentley from the front, and the rear will also feature the trademark style found throughout the lineup. Dürheimer states that the profile will be the most difficult part because he wants it to look sporty and dynamic to onlookers, who should still be able to tell that they're being passed by a Bentley.

Basically, it will look like a Bentley... but bigger, and with more ground clearance.

Bentley CEO Dürheimer talks about what his brand's SUV could look like originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Aug 2011 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Bentley confirms uber-luxe SUV in development

Noah Joseph — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Bentley, Rumormill, Luxury

Some rumors round the mill once or twice and either come to fruition or eventually die off. But some just keep on going round and round like a soul in limbo, never reaching production and never dying, either.

One of the most prominent examples is the rumors of a Bentley SUV. Given that (A) luxury sport-utes are seemingly forever rising in popularity with no end in sight, (B) that Bentley's existing Continental range already packs torque-tastic engines and all-wheel drive, and that (C) its corporate cousins Volkswagen, Audi and Porsche are already in the game (not to mention Lamborghini, which once was and might yet once again), the rumors make sense, but have just never seemed to get there. At least, not beyond the Dominator (pictured above), built in a limited run in the mid-90s for the Sultan of Brunei.

This time, however, a report from Germany's well-regarded Auto Motor Und Sport claims to have received confirmation directly from Bentley's Chief Executive saying that the project is a go. And Wolfgang Dürheimer should know: the former Porsche executive was one of the driving forces behind the launch of the Cayenne, with which Bentley's new SUV would compete directly, along with the Range Rover and rumored upcoming SUVs from Maybach and Lagonda based on the Mercedes-Benz GL-Class.

No word just yet on a timeline for completion, but the sport-ute would reportedly slot in between the Continental and Mulsanne, giving it a price tag in the neighborhood of $230,000.

Bentley confirms uber-luxe SUV in development originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 18 Jul 2011 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Re-branding run amok: HUMMER into Bentley

Noah Joseph — Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SUV, Bentley, Hummer

You can click to see more of the Bentley-bodied HUMMER, but we wouldn't recommend it

Bentley doesn't make an SUV. Though they've contemplated and toyed with the idea, the boys in Crewe ultimately decided against it. Sure, some of their sedans and coupes are roughly the size of trucks, with engines of similar proportions and torque output, but they hardly fulfill the same purpose as a sport-ute. So what's a guy to do? Well, most would pick up a Range Rover, frankly. Or a Q7 from Bentley sister-brand Audi. Badges aside, even a VW Touareg V10 TDI would fit the bill. But one driver apparently didn't like any of those ideas, so he had his own Bentley SUV made up. Er, sorta.

The abomination you see above is actually based on - yep, you guessed it - a HUMMER. Yes, it's horrible, but don't blame us. We're only the messengers. And just where might you stumble upon such misplaced gluttony? You'd be forgiven for thinking it was in Russia, where that hideous Cayenne/Touareg resides, but only if you couldn't tell the Arabic alphabet from the Cyrillic: this unfortunate embodiment of "too much money, not enough taste" comes straight out of new-money Dubai. Click on the images in the gallery below to see more, if you must.

Gallery: Bentley-bodied HUMMER

[Source: Auto.sina via Le Blog Auto]

Re-branding run amok: HUMMER into Bentley originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Aug 2008 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Maybach expansion may include convertible, SUV

Frank Filipponio — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:33:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, SUV, Maybach

By most accounts, Maybach managed to move less than 300 units in all of 2006. These are low numbers even for an ultra-exclusive personal limo manufacturer. We can personally attest to the Maybach sedan being a very fine road car that is sumptuous and coddling, while simultaneously being capable of amazing alacrity when given the spur. Sure, it couldn't quite keep up with its corporate cousin CLK DTM, but it will more than hold its own against a Silver Spur or Phantom. But even a good car can get a bit stale, and although the line was expanded with the "S" models, the 57 and 62 won't personally guarantee the marque's future. As much as we'd love to see the Exelero reach production (so would The Governator), it's far more likely we'll be seeing a cabrio/landoulet version of the current sedan, and possibly an SUV, as well.

CAR Magazine, in fact, is reporting that the 57 and 62 sedans will go topless, with a power cloth top dropping to expose that huge passenger compartment. They also predict that a version of the corporate Mercedes-Benz GL will get a Maybachover to create the ultimate SUV. Picture a new nose and tail and those Concorde-like seats inside. They guess that these models could quintuple Maybach output by adding 25-50 ragtops and up to 1,500 Sport Utes. We see the cabrio as a must-have in light of the debut of the Rolls-Royce Drophead Coupe, even if Mercedes brings the Ocean Drive to fruition. The SUV seems like less of a necessity, but with a possible Bentley SUV in the future, this would make sense, too.

[Source: CAR Magazine]

Maybach expansion may include convertible, SUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Mar 2007 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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