If you look closely, you’ll see that there are several things off with this modified Audi Q7 we spied, starting with the widened fenders, the different lights, bigger air vents and larger wheels and brakes, but the reason why we’re absolutely sure that this is a Bentley SUV test mule is because the car is actually registered as a…Bentley in the UK!
We ran a check on the plates and it turns out that the prototype is fitted with a 5,998cc petrol engine, or in other words, Bentley’s 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12, which currently produces up to 626 hp (616PS) and 820 Nm (605 lb-ft) of torque in the Bentley Continental GT Speed.
One of the main advantages of the W12 unit is its compact packaging that allows the use of all-wheel drive. With this unit, the as-of-yet unnamed Bentley SUV is rumored to reach a top speed of 320km/h or 200mph.
Bentley may also offer a regular and a plug-in hybrid V8 (based on the powertrain used on the Mulsanne PHEV Concept) as well as a 12-cylinder diesel on its first-ever SUV.
A recent teaser of the car that will go on sale in 2016, hinted at an altered design over the original EXP-9 Concept SUV shown in 2012.
By John Halas
Photo Credits: CarPix for CarScoopS
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