2012 - BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT

BENTLEY EXP 9 F DESIGN CONCEPT

EXP 9 F represents the chance to take Bentley values of design, craftsmanship and engineering excellence to a new level. Bentley’s experience with the all-wheel drive Continental range makes the concept of a Bentley SUV a natural progression.
From a designer’s perspective, EXP 9 F was a dream project, the chance to create a completely new type of Bentley.

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT

From the very beginning, the design team had a clear vision for the new Bentley SUV, as Dirk van Braeckel, Director of Design, explains:
“EXP 9 F had to represent the absolute pinnacle of the sport utility sector, setting a new benchmark for this type of vehicle. The style had to reflect Bentley’s sporting character despite its radically different package and purpose together with sculptured, flowing surfaces in keeping with the Bentley tradition.”

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - STORY

Since 1919 and the first experimental car developed by Bentley, EXP has stood for ground breaking innovation in the automotive industry.
In 2001 Bentley engineers developed a concept car under the project name EXP Speed 8. Two years later the Speed 8 went on to give Bentley a heroic return to Le Mans when it crossed the line first. Now the EXP 9 F adds a new chapter to this Bentley story.
The F stands for falcon; the outstanding characteristics of this unique animal have guided the concept phase. Falcons are the fastest moving creatures on earth, recorded at speeds of over 300km/h. Powerful, refined and agile a falcon is the epitome of high performance.

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - PERFORMANCE

The EXP 9 F concept is based around the Bentley 6.0 litre, twin-turbocharged W12 petrol engine, developing 600bhp and 800 Nm of torque coupled with an 8-speed close-ratio transmission.
A range of other powertrain options are also under consideration. This includes Bentley’s recently launched 500bhp, 4.0 litre petrol V8 as well as a groundbreaking powertrain for the luxury SUV segment – a V6 plug-in hybrid. With a potential 30km range in full electric mode and CO2 emissions of 130g/km, the V6 hybrid would still be capable of a 0 to 100km/h sprint time of less than 5 seconds.
“We are very excited by the potential of a high performance, ultra-luxury Bentley SUV. Since we first showed EXP 9 F at Geneva, the response has been overwhelming. Everyone seems to agree that an SUV is a natural fit for Bentley. An exciting range of drivetrain options including a hybrid V6 are under active consideration but one thing is for sure, any Bentley SUV would offer the thunderous performance for which the marque is renowned.” Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive.

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT - INTERIOR
BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT

BENTLEY EXP 9 F - SUV CONCEPT
SOURCE - BENTLEY