Bentley EXP 9 F, a traditional sport utility vehicle was introduced at the Geneva auto Show this year and it didn’t really gain much by the way of accolades. But in spite of that, the buzz surrounding this premium sport utility vehicle has been difficult to miss. The luxury automaker is planning to put this vehicle in production as early as possible and has unveiled powerplant options which will be powering the sport utility vehicle. Motivation for the Bentley EXP 9 F will come from a W12 6.0 liter flagship engine, which is good for pulsating impressive 600PS of power with jaw-dropping 800 newton meters of torque. The 4.0 liter direct injection twin turbocharged V8 engine churns out 500PS of power with 650 newton meters of torque. Both powerplants will be teamed up with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Nevertheless, the most significant bit is the company’s announcement from Beijing Motor Show that they are also working on V6 plug-in hybrid engine for this sport utility vehicle. Very few details about the hybrid were divulged, it will have a full-electric range of 30 kilometers, will accelerate from 0 to 100 kilometers per hour in the time range of 5 seconds and emission of 130 g/km of CO2. It’s welcome change that automobile manufacturing companies like Bentley are even considering hybrid and thinking about, though they are still not sure if the hybrid version will be available any time soon.
About Bentley EXP 9 F
The Bentley EXP 9 F sport utility vehicle symbolizes the chance to take Bentley values of craftsmanship, engineering and design excellence to a new level. Its experience with a four-wheel drive Continental range makes the concept of a Bentley sport utility vehicle a natural progression. From designer’s viewpoint, it was a dream project, an opportunity for creating a fully new type of Bentley. Mr. Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design at Bentley stated that the sport utility vehicle had to symbolize the absolute pinnacle of the sport utility segment, setting a new benchmark for this type of vehicle. The style had to reflect the company’s sporting character in spite of its radically different package and purpose together with sculptured, flowing surfaces in keeping with Bentley tradition.
Fusing signature character lines with muscular, clean surfaces, while retaining the qualities of power and luxury, a pure Bentley. Key Bentley cues like round lamps, the strong power line and haunch and the matrix grille along each flank are reinterpreted for this vehicle. The designers were inspired not only by the more functional nature of EXP 9 F, but also by the visible engineering of popular Blower Bentleys.
At the back, the tailgate’s swooping lines avoid utilitarian overtones in favor of a uniquely sporting profile, while the two-part, ultra-wide split tailgate provides a high level of versatility while grand touring. The rear lamps are inspired by the details and forms of fighter jet powerplants, distinctively engineered so that they glow from within, spreading their light outwards.
Performance and luxury and craftsmanship and technology – and the interior of EXP 9 express the resolution of apparent opposites in its use of techniques, technology and materials. Conventional handcrafted elements like leather, wood and polished metals including bronze, gunmetal and aluminum are used for creating a sense of British luxury, yet the way they are used sets a contemporary and fresh interior ambience.
The centre console is a combination of supreme ergonomics and functionality with architectural, dynamic layers that help to create a central spine to the cabin.