1997 Bentley Turbo R – Fully Equipped on 2040-cars

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Bentley considering chopping new Bentayga into a crossover coupe

Like it or not, crossover coupes are gaining traction. BMW lead the march with the X6 and has since followed up with the X4, rival Mercedes has already showcased its new GLE Coupe, and Audi is expected to be following suit as well. So who's next? According to Top Gear, that'd be Bentley. The British luxury automaker is (like Jaguar and Maserati) preparing to launch its first SUV in the form of the upcoming new Bentayga. But it isn't likely to stop there. After speaking with Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer, who pointed towards the growth in the luxury crossover segment at the expense of coupes, convertibles and sedans, Top Gear is convinced that the Flying B marque is weighing the possibility of a slant-backed coupe version. If BMW's experience is anything to go by, reconfiguring the roof and styling of the Bentayga to give it a more rakish profile would be a relatively low-cost, straightforward way to give Crewe another crossover model to offer. But by the same token, we wouldn't expect it to lose any doors in the process as that same Bavarian rival did with the Mini Paceman. With the Bentayga set to debut next year, it may not be until 2019 that the coupe version would arrive. That's if it's given the green light in the first place, with Bentley expected to decide "within the next year and a half," according to TG. What isn't clear at the moment, however, is whether the Bentayga crossover would stand in place of the smaller crossover Bentley was said to be considering, or the four-door coupe or sports car projects that were said to be on the table as well.

2016 Bentley Bentayga in the buff [w/video]

Look, before you rush to the comments and start ranting about how ugly the Bentley Bentayga is, let's talk about how bad it could have been. Remember the EXP 9 F concept from Geneva a few years ago? You know, the one with the, as associate editor Jonathon Ramsey says, "cat anus headlights." Yeah. The production car doesn't look half bad now, does it? No matter, the Bentayga will probably be Bentley's best-selling model when it launches. And there's a lot to like, too – endless swaths of fine leather, super-luxurious seating for four or five, and a 600-horsepower, 12-cylinder engine. Plus, Bentley actually engineered the Bentayga to go off road, with various traction management modes to handle the rough stuff. Following the initial launch, Bentley will offer diesel, hybrid, and Speed versions of the Bentayga, as well as a seven-passenger version. We're also willing to bet the brand's 4.0-liter, twin-turbo V8 will find its way under the hood at some point, too. Get a load of the big gal in the gallery above, and scroll down for the press blast. It truly is the Bentley of SUVs. BENTLEY BENTAYGA: THE FASTEST, MOST POWERFUL, MOST LUXURIOUS AND MOST EXCLUSIVE SUV IN THE WORLD - A true Bentley, combining unparalleled luxury with sporting ability, off-road performance and everyday usability - Innovative and advanced technology – cutting-edge features with trademark exquisite luxury - Designed, engineered and built in Crewe, UK, sector-defining SUV takes Bentley luxury to new places - Sculptural design with elegant, timeless execution, balances athleticism with presence - Bentley workforce blend exceptional craft and skill with modern production techniques and materials - Intricate detailing and precision in wood, metal and leather creates a modern, luxurious handcrafted interior - Effortless Bentley performance, unrestrained by climate or terrain - A new highly advanced chassis for ultimate ride quality and comfort - All-new Crewe-built W12 offers unrivalled power and torque, efficiency and refinement, the most powerful and fastest SUV ever - Launch model is joined later by high performance, clean technology diesel and plug-in hybrid, as well as a seven seat option (Crewe, 9 September, 2015) Bentley Motors is today announcing full details of its pinnacle, sector-defining new model, the Bentayga. The Bentley Bentayga combines unparalleled luxury with effortless performance and everyday usability.

First Bentley SUV teased in video short

The Bentley SUV is coming and there's not a thing we can do to stop it. The latest indication that the wing-badged behemoth is on the way is this teaser video, which (thankfully?) doesn't show us a whole lot of the new vehicle, aside from its Continental GT-inspired headlights and its Mulsanne-inspired grille. Of course, we've seen this fascia before.
Via Bentley's associated press release, we now know that the SUV will head into production in 2016 with a range of engines that will expand to include a plug-in hybrid in 2017.
There are a few other details, such as the large, five-spoke wheels and side grilles. Whatever the new SUV is called, it should be wearing Continental-esque taillights and a rather aggressive rake to the roof behind the rear doors. That said, none of the other styling clues are as clear as our look at the SUV's face.