Bentley has just launched its first SUV in the form of the 2017 Bentayga , but the automaker is already looking at launching a second to tap into strong demand for high-riding vehicles as well as counter rival offerings from the likes of Aston Martin, Rolls-Royce and even fellow Volkswagen Group brand Lamborghini.
Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 concept, 2015 Geneva Motor Show
Enlarge PhotoA senior Bentley executive has previously hinted at a second SUV from the brand, and now Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer has dropped a few more details.
Speaking with Automotive News (subscription required), Dürheimer said he wants to have another SUV ready by the end of the decade, when most rival offerings are expected to come onto the market. He also said he wants this second SUV to be a smaller, sportier alternative to the big and boxy Bentayga.
“Imagine the EXP 10 as an SUV,” Dürheimer said. “It doesn’t look old Bentley.”
The “EXP 10” Dürheimer is referring to is Bentley’s EXP 10 Speed 6 sports car conceptunveiled a year ago. While the concept was in the form of a low-slung coupe, certain elements such as the roofline and powerful haunches could certainly be translated to an SUV body. Such a design should appeal to younger, female buyers—currently a minority at Bentley.
The idea of a coupe-like SUV from Bentley ties in with earlier reports. The good news is that those reports also claimed Bentley was likely to add both the coupe-like SUV as well as a new sports car.
Bentley officials have revealed to Automotive News that a decision on the new vehicles will be made by the end of the year.
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