Bentley to launch EXP 9F SUV & all new global models in India

Yesterday, Bentley launched the Flying Spur ultra luxury 4-door, high performance saloon in India. On the sidelines of the launch, Bentley's Regional Manager for South Africa, India and the Middle East, Mr Chris Buxton, announced that the luxury car maker plans to bring all new, global models to India. 

This model blitz will include the likes of the under-development Bentley EXP 9 F crossover, the Mulsanne saloon and the Continental GT V8 S. While the Mulsanne will be launched in India by the end of this year, the Continental GT V8 S is being lined up some time next year.

The Bentley EXP 9 F concept crossover, whose production version will make its global debut in the first quarter of 2016, is likely to be launched in India later that year. The SUV is likely to be the best selling Bentley model in India given India's preference for luxury SUVs over saloons as the former suit Indian conditions better. 

The production version of the SUV is likely to be different from the concept in terms of design and will be built based on the inputs that Bentley has received about the concept version. The luxury SUV will be built at Bentley's factory in Crewe, England, and will be shipped to locations across the globe. 

Bentley is exploring the option of adding a diesel engine to the luxury crossover line up, given the fact that the platform it is based on also supports the likes of the Audi Q7, the Porsche Cayenne and the Volkswagen Touareg, SUVs that feature both petrol and diesel power.

The next-generation Audi Q7 crossover, due in 2017, and which will feature aluminium construction is said to be a precursor of the Bentley SUV, in terms of the platform and the diesel engine option. The 4.2 liter V8 turbo diesel engine that the 2014 Audi Q7 will come with is likely to be shoehorned into the Bentley SUV as well. 

The petrol engine on the Bentley SUV will be a V12 unit that is likely to output between 575-650 Bhp. The crossover will come in 4, 5 and 7 seat versions, with its price pegged at about US $ 260,000. At that price, the Bentley SUV is significantly more expensive than the top end Range Rover, and is therefore said to create an all-new segment of ultra luxury SUVs.  

Source IndianAutosBlog