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Bentley Bentayga may spawn sportier fastback version

In the past few years, Bentley has shown us two different conceptions about what its future might look like in: the SUV that started life as the EXP 9 F concept and has now entered production as the Bentayga, and the EXP 10 Speed 6 concept that previews a future sports coupe from the stoic British marque. The next step is an SUV that combines a little of each of them. According to Automotive News, engineers and designers in Crewe are currently laying the groundwork for a crossover that would blend the tall form of the Bentayga with the roofline of the Speed 6. The result would be similar in form, we'd imagine, to the likes of the BMW X6 and Mercedes GLE Coupe, only even further upscale. We wouldn't be surprised to see more changes than the roofline and tail section, either, with a sportier front end and more avant-garde headlights (like those we saw on the Speed 6 concept) giving it a sportier, less stodgy appearance all around – and maybe, just maybe, a different nameplate. CEO Wolfgang Durheimer wants to get the fastbacked Bentayga variant ready by 2018 or 2019 – right around the time that Rolls-Royce, Aston Martin, Maserati, and Lamborghini will be rolling out their debut crossovers. By that time, Bentley will have already have had the Bentayga on the market for two or three years, and wants to be ready to fight off the onslaught with something fresh. "Imagine the EXP 10 as an SUV. It doesn't look 'old Bentley, Durheimer told AN. "The Bentayga doesn't stop us from dreaming and looking down the road. The more success we have with it, the more we can take the best of it and run with it." Proceeding with the project will require Durheimer to get approval from the Volkswagen Group head office in Wolfsburg, but the business case seems like a slam dunk. The model would help Bentley (and VW) further capitalize on the $1 billion it already spent developing the Bentayga, following a successful business model laid out by rival BMW and which Germany's other automakers are quickly learning to emulate. This wouldn't be the first time he'd be seeking approval from Matthias Muller on such a project, either. Durheimer successfully ushered the Cayenne into production when he was head of R&D at Porsche and Muller was the brand's CEO.

Bentley introduces Bentayga First Edition at VIP event in LA

The first customers to place their orders for the new Bentley Bentayga will get a special First Edition model. Each is outfitted with unique trim inside and out, and comes with a special wristwatch. Bentley just unveiled the new Bentayga First Edition at a special VIP event ahead of the Los Angeles Auto Show opening this week. The Bentley Bentayga First Edition features 22-inch two-tone wheels, special Union Jack badging, and illuminated treadplates. Inside it benefits from unique diamond quilted leather, embroidered seats, contrast stitching, and ambient lighting. Along with those specifications, this initial run will be limited to just ten exterior colors. Those fortunate first customers will also get their choice between one of three timepieces crafted by Breitling: one with a multifunction electronic movement, another with an integrated emergency transmitter, and a third automatic designed for women. All told, only 608 examples of the First Edition will be offered. The quantity is a reference to the metric output from the 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 engine, which produces 600 horsepower – or 608 ps. That's enough to rocket the luxury off-roader to 60 in 4.0 seconds flat and on to a top speed of 187 mph, making this the fastest and most powerful SUV currently on the market. Related Video: BENTLEY DEBUTS BENTAYGA FIRST EDITION AT EXCLUSIVE VIP CUSTOMER EVENT - First 608 Bentaygas to be exclusively designed and highly equipped - Bentayga is the most powerful, most luxurious, most exclusive and fastest SUV in the world - Limited edition celebrates the creation of an all-new luxury SUV market segment - Each owner to receive one of three special-edition Breitling chronographs (Los Angeles/Crewe, 16 November 2015) Bentley Motors is debuting the Bentayga First Edition to a select group of VIP customers tonight at the iconic Sunset Marquis Hotel, Los Angeles. The exclusive limited edition of the most powerful SUV in production is restricted to just 608 cars globally. The eye-catching specification with exclusive details and unique components demonstrates the Bentayga's abilities to the fullest. The First Edition's unique design includes Union Jack badging, illuminated treadplates and 22" black painted and polished wheels. Just ten exterior colours are offered, highlighting the exclusivity of the model.

Bentley SUV to cost over $220k, fix 'problem' of inexpensive competitors

There's no shock in finding out that a new Bentley is going to be expensive; it kind of goes with the territory. However, company boss Wolfgang Dürheimer is indicating that its upcoming SUV could create a whole new rung of pricing for luxury utility vehicles.
While speaking with Autocar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Dürheimer let slip that the company's forthcoming SUV would have a price of 130,000 pounds or more ($220,000 at current US exchange rates). Thankfully, the Bentley boss further clarified the reason for such a high cost of entry. He said that the elite players in the field like the Porsche Cayenne or Land Rover Range Rover have prices that hit the European equivalent of about $220,000 for top-trim, fully-optioned models. "We aim to solve this problem," said Dürheimer to Autocar. While it's exceedingly rare for converted foreign MSRPs to equal the actual expense in the US, it looks to be at the very top end of the class.
That is a stratospheric figure, but the Bentley SUV already has some big rumors to live up to. The company is reportedly aiming for a 200-mile-per-hour top speed and may possibly offer a plug-in hybrid powertrain, as well. It's being pretty flagrant in evaluating the new vehicle too by plastering a promotional URL on its test mules (see above). They show the model with the brand's trademark circular headlights up front, and interior photos indicate a digital instrument panel. If Dürheimer is serious about that price, the company better pack the car with every bell and whistle it can find to justify it.