WorldCarFans According to a recent report, Bentley is developing three new models. While the specifics are kind of hazy, Auto Express says the first vehicle will be a £150,000 (€178,000 / $242,000) five-door coupe which will be underpinned by the next-generation Porsche Panamera. Essentially a Bentley verison of the Aston Martin Rapide, the car will reportedly be powered by a 4.0-liter V8 and an updated 6.0-liter W12. Secondly, the long-rumored Bentley SUV is slated to be based on the Porsche Cayenne and could be called the Cross Continental. It will reportedly sticker for £120,000 (€142,000 / $193,000) and have a bespoke interior worthy of the Flying B. Engine options are expected to carryover from the five-door coupe, but Volkswagen chairman Dr. Ferdinand Piech has previously stated "You will see diesel at Bentley." Lastly, the company could offer an entry-level coupe which would slot beneath the Continental GT. Details are limited, but it is envisioned as a competitor to the Maserati GranTurismo and would likely wear a £90,000 (€107,000 / $145,000) price tag. The models aren't schedule to appear until 2015, but in the meantime, we can look forward to redesigned versions of the Continental Flying Spur and Continental GT Convertible. Source: Auto Express Read more: Bentley developing three new models - report New trio of Bentleys Brits plan new family, based on models from sister brand Porsche, five-door coupé to be joined by crossover, baby GT The Bentley empire is spreading! Bosses are hard at work plotting models with bodystyles new to the marque – but it won’t be the usual VW technology underneath. The cars will be underpinned by Porsche architecture – a fact confirmed to us by the new CEO of Bentley, Wolfgang Dürheimer, who is also outgoing head of R&D at Porsche. First on the agenda, as we reported in Issue 1,136, will be a £150,000 five-door coupé version of the Continental GT. It was originally thought that Bentley would base this car on a version of the VW Group’s modular longitudinal platform that underpins the Audi A7 and the upcoming A9. But in light of the new boss’s revelation, it’s almost certain the next-generation Panamera will be the donor. Petrol engine choices are expected to include a reworked version of the current W12 – with upwards of 600bhp – as well as the new turbocharged 4.0-litre V8, set to debut early next year in the Continental GT. An oil-burner shouldn’t be ruled out, either, after VW Group chairman, Dr Ferdinand Piech, told us recently: “You will see diesel at Bentley.” A crossover is also under consideration, based on the Cayenne, although this Bentley 4x4 will have an even more luxurious interior and use the same engine range as the five-door coupé. The Cross Continental badge has been touted, along with a price of around £120,000. Last, but certainly not least, is a £90,000 coupé to slot into the range below the Continental GT. This would be aimed squarely at the likes of the Maserati GranTurismo and Mercedes SL63 AMG. It should be a volume seller for Bentley, and could push annual registrations way beyond the 10,000 peak recorded in 2007. Don’t expect to see this new family of models until the next Panamera arrives in 2015. In the meantime, the second-generation Continental GT will spawn new versions of the GTC drop-top and Flying Spur saloon, with similar styling and mechanical tweaks.
Bentley 4-door coupe...Unless it's a version of the Mulsanne, than I could care less. I don't think it would look good if it's a hatchback. Bentley SUV...Yes, but it should be Something above the level of a Range Rover. Not just a rebadge Porsche SUV, that would just be a downgrade for Bentley. Entry Level Bentley...That would just be bad for the Bentley name. Yes, it would probably sell, then again it wouldn't do the Bentley name justice.
can a Maybach SUV be far behind? Bentley SUV custom built by Xenatec Bentley plans to enter the sparse luxury SUV market. Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer confirmed to Auto Motor und Sport that the brand is planning a SUV, and thus a competitor to Land Rover and Porsche Cayenne. Bentley SUV is to revive business Dürheimer sees potential in this segment, also in "terms of exclusivity and price." Bentley wants to get into the SUV market, "because our largest single markets are America, China and Europe, where SUVs are very popular." In addition, the model cycles are the two traditional Bentley Mulsanne series and Continental, so a SUV could revive business in between. Bentley will Luxus-SUV bauen: Attacke auf Porsche und Land Rover - AUTO MOTOR UND SPORT :t-cheers:
If they have to do a Bentley SUV, I hope they do it right. I really hate to see on sporting the Bentley GT Face. They really need to keep the Mulsanne and Brooklands in mind when designing it.
From a business point of view, the 3 cars described are a great decision. From any other point of view, Bentley should focus on the Brooklands successor/Mulsanne coupe. IMO the Mulsanne is better looking than the Arnage, but the Brooklands is much more beautiful than the Mulsanne.
Completely agree, I'm surprised that Bentley aren't competing with the Phantom Coupe and Drophead Coupe, an updated Brooklands based on the new Mulsanne would be a great looking car.
