In the past year, a number of speculations emerged about what the British car manufacturer Bentley could be planning for the near future. We did some research and wrote this article about what we can really expect from this aristocratic brand. So let's break it down step by step.
I will start with probably the most controversial model in the history of the brand, or rather its concept – EXP 9 F (photo in the gallery). This vision of a luxury SUV was already presented in March 2012 at the Geneva Motor Show. Although representatives of the brand are reportedly still considering the serial version, its arrival is very certain . We should wait in 2016 , where the design will be based on the mentioned concept, but will offer less controversial details. First of all, the concept was intended to shock and start discussions about a similar model, which the brand succeeded in doing very well.
The production Bentley SUV could be called the Falcon and will be based on the platform of the next generations of the group's siblings the Porsche Cayenne , the Audi Q7 , and probably also the Lamborghini Urus , if it goes into production. Under the hood of the Falcon will appear a W12 with a volume of 6.0 liters and an expected output in the range of 575-650 hp . A plug-in hybrid variant with a 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V8 could also come later. The offer of a diesel unit is also not excluded. There will be four seats in the interior, while a five- and seven-seat version is also expected.
According to the brand itself, the Falcon is to become the most expensive and most luxurious SUV in the world , which will correspond to the expected price tag of around 180,000 euros , i.e. less than 5 million crowns. Bentley is not afraid that the new SUV would steal customers from other models in the range. Most of their current owners also own SUVs of other brands, specifically the Range Rover , which 30 percent of them have in their garage. It is this model that the Falcon will attack and should offer comparable cross-country ability . Strong demand is also expected in the Middle East, where trips off the beaten track are not uncommon. Strong sales should also be in China, and up to a third of annual production is said to go to American customers. Estimated total annual sales are in the amount of 3 to 4 thousand pieces .
On the other side of the price spectrum, there was speculation about the arrival of a four-door coupé , which would compete primarily with the top variants of the BMW 6 Gran Coupé or Mercedes-Benz CLS , or with Jaguar models. However, Motor Authority recently interviewed Bentley President and COO, Christophe Georges , who commented on the brand's lower-priced model offering: " It's not part of our plans to go lower. I think we have built a good position in the market, so we have no intention of offering a smaller model than we currently have. We can move horizontally in the segment, but we don't need to go down vertically. " Although the representatives of all brands have a habit of obfuscating and deliberately lying, I would believe this statement. However, if I am mistaken, we will see a production small Bentley around 2018 with a price tag of around 125,000 euros (3.4 million crowns).
The brand's current smallest model, the Continental GT , including the derivative GTC and the Flying Spur sedan, has recently been introduced in a significantly updated form. The successors of all three cars should appear only in 2017 on the platform of the new generation Audi A8 and Porsche Panamera . The larger Mulsanne will receive a new generation three years later and is said to move up in luxury and price tag. Even in the current generation, an open variant was considered , but priority was given to the aforementioned SUV.
Source: motorauthority.com, autonews.com, caranddriver.com, worldcarfans.com
