Bentley has revealed it is considering petrol and hybrid powertrains for the Bentley EXP 9F SUV at the Beijing motor show today.
The concept at the show is based around the company's 6.0-litre, twin-turbocharged W12 petrol engine developing 600bhp and 590lb ft of torque. Such an engine would offer the "exhilarating performance, setting new benchmarks for the SUV sector" Bentley promises for a production SUV.
Bentley has also revealed it is considering the 500bhp 4.0-litre petrol V8 from the Continental GT and Continental GTC models.
Perhaps most significantly is Bentley's announcement that a V6 plug-in hybrid powertrain is on the table. Bentley says such an engine would have a potential electric-only range of 30km and CO2 emissions of 130g/km. A 0-62mph time of less than five seconds is targetted.
Engineering chief, Rolf Frech previously told Autocar that “Hybrids are appealing because of the great torque they provide. Bentley is famous for its huge low-end torque so a plug-in hybrid system would fit. Of course, hybrids provide great efficiency, too.”.
Wolfgang Dürheimer, chairman and chief executive at Bentley said: “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.”
