The potential entry into the luxury SUV segment by premium Car manufacturer Bentley continues to be a conversation topic laced with mystery.
The anticipation with which the launch of Bentley’s concept sports utility vehicle was preceded was quite forceful. Bentley is a marque however more usually held in high esteem for the quality of their coachbuilding than the dynamism of their developmental models. This was certainly demonstrated when the exploratory version of their foray into onroad-offroad cars was premiered at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year. Critical acclaim was won that erred more on the side of critical than it did on acclaim. Resolute in their quest to continually develop and build superior vehicles, Bentley continued indomitably.
The concept car recently appeared at Goodwood, and it seems that appearing in the flesh at home the car may be starting to turn the tide on its doubting detractors.
A new portfolio of video and still photography released this week by Bentley now has the motoring fraternity clearly convinced that there is much to like and even adore in the latest flagship of 4×4 driving.
Apart from being built by Bentley, there truly is a lot to commend the car, dubbed the EXP 9 F to date. Other lineage that it follows come from the stable of the Volkswagen Group, so far the home of resounding successes when it comes to extending a successful badge onto a sports utility vehicle. The Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and VW Touareg all bear testament to that.
Demonstrating the beauty of this goliath in motion, the footage shows just how commanding the EXP 9 F could be on a variety of surfaces. We see it gliding over tarmac as well as loose surfaces, and looking every bit as competent on rocky ground too. Comments forthcoming after this latest montage are beginning to show that compliments can be won with steadfast progress and refined attention to detail.
Bentley feels that in publishing the film and shots ‘the new material reaffirms the concept’s innovative fusion of contemporary, crafted luxury, advanced technology, commanding driving position and all-terrain capability’.
It all goes to show that the redoubtable Bentley brand may indeed bring to market its SUV after all. With the potential for such praise to grow into desire to buy, we wait for Bentley’s decision to launch the model on the back of expected sales. After the car previews at Pebble Beach in USA next month and possibly expand its fan base-to-be, an answer may quite well be found written in the sand.
There’s still some time to go for the Bentley EXP 9 to enter Bentley’s production line so in the meantime, enjoy their existing range of cars by hiring from us such as the Bentley Mulsanne, our Bentley Flying Spur Speed or even our brand new Bentley Continental GTC V8!