Bentley SUV Receives Production Approval: Report

By Viknesh Vijayenthiran

Viknesh Vijayenthiran

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Bentley EXP 9 F Concept live photos, 2012 Geneva Motor Show

Schreiber also revealed that a significant redesign of 2012’s controversial EXP 9 F concept would be implemented for any production version.

According to a recent report in Germany’s Handelsblatt, first picked up by Automotive News (subscription required), approval for production of the EXP 9 F has been given.

Citing company insiders, the report also said the new SUV would retail in Europe for 200,000 euros (approximately $271,000).

Despite the steep price, the SUV is expected to be Bentley’s most popular model, commanding a sales volume of up to 5,000 vehicles annually. Last year, Bentley’s total sales were just 8,510 units.

A spokesman for Bentley said the company is still waiting for approval, though things were looking very positive.

The new SUV is to be based on the Volkswagen Group’s new platform for mid- to large-sized SUVs. The platform will debut in the next-generation Audi Q7 and will eventually spawn new versions of the Porsche Cayenne and Volkswagen Touareg.

The basic structure of the Bentley SUV will be built alongside the Audi version at a plant in Slovakia before being shipped to Bentley’s headquarters in Crewe, England for final assembly.

As for engines, Bentley’s new twin-turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 will likely be standard, with the twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 remaining an option. This range-topping engine is expected to be updated soon for improved performance and efficiency.

As previously confirmed by the automaker, a plug-in hybrid option may also feature. Based on the Volkswagen Group’s next-generation hybrid technology, the plug-in hybrid system likely employed in Bentley’s SUV will feature a V-6 engine and offer an electric-only driving range of 18 miles and 0-60 acceleration in less than 5 seconds.

There’s still no word on a possible launch date but previous reports have suggested a launch sometime in 2014.