(Geneva, 5 March 2012)
Bentley is offering a vision of the future with a dramatic new Sport
Utility Vehicle concept, EXP 9 F, at the Geneva International Salon
d’Auto. The Company’s designers and engineers have created a compelling
new take on the Grand Touring Bentley - a vehicle that feels equally at
home at an opera gala performance, on the sand dunes and the overtaking
lane of the autobahn.
Unmistakably a Bentley – yet a Bentley like
none before it – the EXP 9 F could herald a third Bentley model-line
alongside the bespoke Mulsanne and the high performance Continental GT,
GTC and Flying Spur.
Today a global luxury brand with a network of
160 dealers from Shanghai to Beverly Hills, Bentley has an increasingly
diverse customer base spanning every continent. For many customers, a
dramatically styled, Bentley all-wheel drive SUV which combines a
spacious, versatile cabin and commanding driving position, with
Bentley’s hallmark power, performance, advanced technology and hand
crafted luxury, would be a natural choice both on and off-road.
“We
are very excited by the potential of a high performance, ultra-luxury
Bentley SUV. We know that many Bentley customers already own SUVs,
admiring their style, luxury, performance and versatility. With EXP 9 F,
Bentley is making a clear statement of intent that we have both the
expertise and desire to meet and exceed their expectations.” Wolfgang Dürheimer, Chairman and Chief Executive, Bentley Motors.
BOLD, DYNAMIC, SPORTY DESIGN
- Key Bentley styling cues re-interpreted for EXP 9 F with innovative detailing
- Sculptured flowing surfaces emphasise power, muscularity and robustness
From
a designer’s perspective, EXP 9 F was a dream project, the chance to
create a completely new type of Bentley. 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.”
A new class of Bentley allowed the
styling team to adopt a more progressive design approach. The exterior
is a bold, dynamic statement, combining clean, muscular surfaces with
signature character lines, while retaining the qualities of luxury and
power – a pure Bentley.
Key Bentley cues such as the matrix
grille, round lamps and the strong power-line and haunch along each
flank are reinterpreted for EXP 9 F. The ‘hewn from solid’ design
language and innovative detailing, emphasise the robust character of
this high-luxury SUV.
The designers were inspired not only by the
more functional nature of EXP 9 F but by the ‘visible engineering’ of
the famous Blower Bentleys. For example, the day-time running lamp
apertures also act as the charge cooler air intakes for the twin-turbo
W12 engine, each with a dramatic, mesh-covered turbine fan design and
‘rifled’ inner surface finish.
The turbine theme continues with
the stunning 23-inch alloy wheels, the design of which complements the
sculptured coachwork. The multiple spokes are reminiscent of the shape
of turbine fan blades while the centrally mounted wheel nut is a visual
reference both to Bentley’s Le Mans racers of the 1920s with centre-lock
spinner and to the single nut found on the modern-day Speed 8’s
high-tech racing alloys.
At the rear, the swooping lines of the
tailgate avoid utilitarian overtones in favour of a distinctly sporting
profile, while the ultra-wide, two-part split tailgate offers a high
level of versatility when grand touring. The bold design language of EXP
9 F is complemented by twin exhaust tailpipes with ‘rifled’ inner
surfaces, their elliptical shapes echoing those of the rear light
clusters.
The rear lights are inspired by the forms and details of
fighter jet engines, uniquely designed so that they glow from within,
spreading their light outwards.
INTERIOR – A FUSION OF LUXURY WITH UTILITY
- Light, airy, contemporary cabin design with exquisite British ‘sporting’ luxury craft detailing
- Contemporary use of touchscreen and tailored interface technologies
- Fresh interpretation of traditional handcrafted materials with highly durable surfaces
- High degree of practicality including versatile rear cabin layout and full-width, two-piece tailgate
Bentley
is renowned for its fusion of extremes – technology and craftsmanship,
luxury and performance – and the interior of EXP 9 F expresses the
resolution of apparent opposites in its use of materials, techniques and
technology, as Dirk van Braeckel explains:
“The challenge for
the interior design team was to create a cabin which provides a blend
of luxury and utility. The result is a light and airy environment with a
commanding view of the road and a versatile layout which showcases
Bentley’s craft and design language in an innovative and contemporary
way.”
Traditional handcrafted elements such as wood, leather
and polished metals such as aluminium, bronze and gunmetal are used to
create a sense of British luxury, yet the way they are used sets a fresh
and contemporary interior ambience. Soft-touch leather contrasts with
highly durable surfaces with the concept car design experimenting with
the use of saddle leather for the seat backs, top roll and loadspace –
while analogue bezels and dials are paired with TFT ‘virtual’
instrumentation.
Even the luxurious silk wool floormats are
reversible – with one side finished in durable, ribbed saddle leather
for use when the driver and passengers are dressed for the great
outdoors.
The upright dashboard design features a full-width,
one-piece wood veneer with a subtly negative surface and instruments
with a configurable display. Traditional Bentley ‘bulls eye’ vents have a
‘rifled’ gunmetal inner surface for a more contemporary and functional
appearance. The centre console is a blend of functionality and supreme
ergonomics with dynamic, architectural layers which help to create a
central spine to the cabin. The frame of the console is also a
structural component with integrated, sculpted grab handles.
The
flowing roof design with a panoramic glass panel is inspired by the roll
cages of rally cars, expressing both strength and lightness.
Rear
seat passengers can chose between business mode, with generous legroom
complete with fold-down keyboard and full internet connectivity via an
iPad or tablet or a more reclined position with powered footrest, drinks
table and an infotainment screen for movies. When the rear seats are
not in use, they can be powered forward to create a larger loadspace for
sports equipment or luggage.
The EXP 9 F seating is 4+1, with a
rear armrest lifting to reveal a cooled compartment for champagne and
glasses. Seats feature a diamond-quilted ‘shoulder line’ in soft-touch
leather, echoing the traditional appearance of a British field sport
jacket.
At the rear, the lower section of the two-piece tailgate
may be used as a viewing bench or picnic table. Bespoke picnic hampers
are stowed neatly to either side of the loadspace when not in use, but
are located on rails for easy access. An awning extends over the
tailgate to protect those seated there; two umbrellas fit either side of
the rear luggage area for when the rain clouds sweep in.
COMMANDING DRIVING POSITION AND CONTROL ARCHITECTURE
- Inspired blend of traditional analogue and TFT touchscreen technology
- Bespoke interface engineering – tailored to the individual with driver-selectable instrumentation modes
As
befits a Bentley, the EXP 9 F design concept features a near-infinite
choice of driver information and entertainment options. However the
design and electrical engineering teams sought to avoid creating a
cluttered or confusing driver and passenger environment, presenting only
the information that each user needs, when they need it.
As a
result, EXP 9 F places key driver information such as 3D navigation in a
central TFT panel directly in the driver’s line of sight, where it is
flanked by two analogue reverse-read dials. Meanwhile controls that are
shared between driver and front seat passenger, such as cabin
temperature, air vents and entertainment are presented in the central
touchscreen and console. The TFT screen deploys from the full-width
metal trim to provide a fully integrated extension to the glass surface
of the centre console
Three different driving modes – Comfort,
Sport and Off-Road – are selectable according to the road environment
and type of journey. Thus the driver information TFT panel would be able
to switch between satellite navigation on the motorway to a ‘sump cam’
when negotiating a bumpy track.
BENTLEY POWER AND PERFORMANCE
Although
the EXP 9 F concept is based around the Bentley 6.0 litre,
twin-turbocharged W12 engine with an 8-speed transmission, both the
company’s recently-launched 4.0 litre, twin-turbocharged V8 or a hybrid
drivetrain could meet the performance requirements of a pinnacle luxury
SUV.
Whilst EXP 9 F is primarily intended to investigate new
design territory – and all drivetrain options remain under consideration
– any Bentley SUV would offer the thunderous performance the marque is
renowned for. The W12 6.0 litre powertrain, for example, could develop
600bhp and 800 Nm of torque with key performance indicators like the top
speed and 0-60mph sprint time all setting new benchmarks for the SUV
sector.
EVALUATION, REFINEMENT AND FUTURE PLANNING
When
the first generation Continental GT was unveiled in 2003 it represented
the renaissance of Bentley as a global luxury icon, subsequent launches
such as Mulsanne, Continental Flying Spur saloon and the new
Continental GT have seen the Bentley brand growing from strength to
strength.
EXP 9 F represents the chance to take Bentley values of
design, craftsmanship and engineering excellence into what would be –
literally – new terrain for the brand. Bentley’s experience with the
all-wheel drive Continental range makes the concept of a Bentley SUV a
natural progression for the company.
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.
“A Bentley Grand Tourer doesn’t necessarily have
to be a coupé, a convertible or a saloon – it could equally well be an
SUV. What’s important is that it should be true to Bentley’s brand
values and in line with the desires and needs of our customers.”– Alasdair Stewart, Member of the Board, Sales and Marketing.
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