Bentley SUV redesign due
* Bentley SUV will get new design * EXP 9 F Geneva show car's looks to be toned down * Production version likely in 2015...
Bentley is already working on a redesigned version of its controversial EXP 9 F, which made its debut at the 2012 Geneva motor show.
At the show, a Bentley source told What Car? that the Exp 9 Fs styling is a little heavy handed and that an alternative design is in progress.
According to the source, the redesigned EXP 9 F will have more traditional SUV proportions and less retro surfacing. The large round headlights and foglights will remain, but the headlights will be slightly smaller and set farther inward.
Officially, the EXP 9 F is still a concept car, but company boss Wolfgang Durheimer told What Car? that a production version is likely to go on sale in 2015.
The new SUV has been designed with customers in China, Russia and the Middle East in mind, with a long wheelbase to give it limousine-like rear legroom. Its based on a platform that is expected to underpin many of the VW Groups larger SUVs, including the next Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne.
The EXP 9 F show car uses Bentleys W12 petrol engine, producing around 600bhp, and has an eight-speed automatic gearbox. A production version is likely to cost around 150,000.
Steve Huntingford
