Some traditionalists might be aghast at Bentley’s plans for an SUV, not least because a production version of the EXP 9 F concept would bear out Ettore Bugatti’s assertion that “Bentley makes the world’s fastest lorries.”
Of course the move should make good business sense for the marque, as there are enough people around the world who don’t believe that a Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne is quite upmarket enough.
And many members of the target market are likely to be ‘new money’, a breed more often noted for its conspicuous consumption than its taste. For them, the allure of the Bentley badge will be enough to trigger that all-important buying decision.
They won’t care that the EXP 9 F, which has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, is - sadly - catastrophically hideous. Fair enough, the current Bentley design ethos seems to be about exuding a brutal presence rather than prettiness, but translating that to an SUV simply hasn’t worked.
From just about any angle, the looks grate. Up front, an enormous grille appears to have sprouted a pair of mini-me offspring on either side, while the front valance houses vast porthole orifices that look set to ingest any stray objects that get in the way.
The side view is even worse, with its clumsy rear wheel arches, an insipid rearward-sloping glasshouse and just plain awful 23” multi-spoke wheels. Perhaps the rear end manages to be the least offensive aspect, but it’s not enough to redeem the whole.
Another reason why prospective buyers won’t be too bothered about the exterior appearance is that they will be comfortably ensconced inside the cabin.
Lucky them, because in stark contrast to the bodywork the interior is a great success. It manages to combine traditional and modern elements, while showing off the craftsmanship that Bentley is rightly renowned for.
Regarding the future of the concept, the official line from the firm is: ‘Customer and public reaction will be analysed following the unveiling of EXP 9 F at Geneva 2012, with the aim of refining the concept further. Above all, Bentley will be listening carefully to the reaction of customers and potential customers throughout the world, prior to making any definitive commitment to production.’
So, those with the cash to spend on a Bentley SUV will play a key role in deciding whether the EXP 9 F ends up in dealer showrooms, and that’s entirely understandable. It’d be nice to think that they could be discerning enough to urge a redesign, but the reality is they’ll probably just grab their chequebooks.
Related posts:
Sporty Mulsanne revealed
New Bentley Continental V8
Of course the move should make good business sense for the marque, as there are enough people around the world who don’t believe that a Range Rover or Porsche Cayenne is quite upmarket enough.
And many members of the target market are likely to be ‘new money’, a breed more often noted for its conspicuous consumption than its taste. For them, the allure of the Bentley badge will be enough to trigger that all-important buying decision.
They won’t care that the EXP 9 F, which has been unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, is - sadly - catastrophically hideous. Fair enough, the current Bentley design ethos seems to be about exuding a brutal presence rather than prettiness, but translating that to an SUV simply hasn’t worked.
From just about any angle, the looks grate. Up front, an enormous grille appears to have sprouted a pair of mini-me offspring on either side, while the front valance houses vast porthole orifices that look set to ingest any stray objects that get in the way.
The side view is even worse, with its clumsy rear wheel arches, an insipid rearward-sloping glasshouse and just plain awful 23” multi-spoke wheels. Perhaps the rear end manages to be the least offensive aspect, but it’s not enough to redeem the whole.
Another reason why prospective buyers won’t be too bothered about the exterior appearance is that they will be comfortably ensconced inside the cabin.
Lucky them, because in stark contrast to the bodywork the interior is a great success. It manages to combine traditional and modern elements, while showing off the craftsmanship that Bentley is rightly renowned for.
Regarding the future of the concept, the official line from the firm is: ‘Customer and public reaction will be analysed following the unveiling of EXP 9 F at Geneva 2012, with the aim of refining the concept further. Above all, Bentley will be listening carefully to the reaction of customers and potential customers throughout the world, prior to making any definitive commitment to production.’
So, those with the cash to spend on a Bentley SUV will play a key role in deciding whether the EXP 9 F ends up in dealer showrooms, and that’s entirely understandable. It’d be nice to think that they could be discerning enough to urge a redesign, but the reality is they’ll probably just grab their chequebooks.
Related posts:
Sporty Mulsanne revealed
New Bentley Continental V8
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