India Automotive: Bentley EXP 9 F luxury SUV design concept ...

Everyone is making and selling SUVs these days, so why not Bentley? Yes indeed, and the British super-luxury marque has just unveiled its first SUV ? though still a design concept at this stage ? the EXP 9 F, which makes its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show this week. The EXP 9 F is a 4+1 seater, with its rear armrest lifting to reveal a cooled compartment for champagne and glasses. There is also, of course, space for large picnic hampers, fine cutlery and the like.

?The company?s designers and engineers have created a compelling new take on the Grand Touring Bentley ? a vehicle that feels equally at home at an opera gala performance, on the sand dunes and the overtaking lane of the autobahn,? claims a press release from Bentley. The EXP 9 F, which could herald a third Bentley model-line alongside the Mulsanne and the Continental GT / GTC / Flying Spur, features all-wheel-drive and ultra-luxurious hand-crafted interiors that you would only expect to find in a Bentley or a Rolls-Royce.

?We are very excited by the potential of a high performance, ultra-luxury Bentley SUV. We know that many Bentley customers already own SUVs, admiring their style, luxury, performance and versatility. With EXP 9 F, Bentley is making a clear statement of intent that we have both the expertise and desire to meet and exceed their expectations,? says Wolfgang D?rheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley.

?The EXP 9 F had to represent the absolute pinnacle of the sport utility sector, setting a new benchmark for this type of vehicle. The style had to reflect Bentley?s sporting character despite its radically different package and purpose together with sculptured, flowing surfaces in keeping with the Bentley tradition,? adds Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design at Bentley.

Fittingly, the Bentley EXP 9 F is powered by a 6.0-litre twin-turbo 12-cylinder engine that produces a mighty 600 horsepower and 800Nm of torque, mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The SUV rides on massive, 23-inch wheels and the interiors feature traditional handcrafted elements like wood, leather and polished metals like aluminium, bronze and gunmetal. ?The rear lights are inspired by the forms and details of fighter jet engines, uniquely designed so that they glow from within, spreading their light outwards,? claims Bentley. Ahem.

?A Bentley Grand Tourer doesn?t necessarily have to be a coup?, a convertible or a saloon ? it could equally well be an SUV. What?s important is that it should be true to Bentley?s brand values and in line with the desires and needs of our customers,? says Alasdair Stewart, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing, Bentley. Well, we?re sure Bentley will definitely put the EXP 9 F into production and when they do, the resulting SUV will also certainly come to India. After all, in new-age India, there can be no dearth of people willing to spend a couple of crores on an SUV?

Source: http://www.indiaautomotive.net/2012/03/bentley-exp-9-f-luxury-suv-design.html

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