Bentley has released the first photo of its production SUV, scheduled to arrive in dealerships in 2016. The image only reveals the front end of the luxury model, but it’s enough to prove that designers have implemented significant modifications to the EXP-9 design study.
Just like the Continental GT, the Bentley SUV features two pairs of round headlights, with the outer headlamps being smaller. The photo doesn’t reveal anything else, except the brand’s imposing grille.
“It will be the most luxurious and powerful SUV on the market, setting it apart from any other SUV, true to the brand hallmarks of luxury, performance, quality and craftsmanship,” Bentley promises in a press release. Bentley Motors CEO, Dr. Wolfgang Schreiber, goes on to say that the new model “will create a completely new segment in the SUV market.”
Bentley says the SUV is part of a £800 million ($1.33 billion) investment in new model and facilities development in the next three years. The company expects a minimum annual sales volume of 3,000 SUVs.
No details were offered about the engine, but considering that Bentley has also announced it will become the only producer of VW Group’s 6.0-liter W12 engine from the end of 2014 onwards, it’s safe to assume the flagship Bentley SUV will be powered by a W12 unit.
Bentley expects to build up to 9,000 W12 engines a year.
By Dan Mihalascu
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