When I heard Bentley was planning an SUV, I thought it would look like a Continental GT on stilts. The actual thing, previewed by this EXP 9 F, will be more like Iron Man’s Mulsanne. The concept vehicle debuting at the Geneva show is a concept in name only, and the sheetmetal shouldn’t change much in production. It will, of course, get a real name.
Some will like the Mulsanne-inspired headlights on the EXP 9 F, the warp drives beneath them, and the blocky rear haunches. (The “warp drives” actually are turbine-inspired air intakes encircled by daytime running lights.) Members of that camp will be outnumbered by those who find this concept vulgar and baroque, and who pick apart derivative styling that borrows from the Audi Q7 and the Range Rover Sport, among others.
I think the interior’s styling will be more widely appreciated, even if it is a bit heavy-handed. A rainforest’s worth of wood lines most of the door and dash tops, with everything else draped in leather and trimmed with chrome and aluminum. The exposed “linkage” for the automatic transmission’s gear selector is an especially nice touch. For those who might take their Bentley SUV to the world’s most luxurious campground, a full picnic set has been wedged into the rear compartment. It underscores Bentley’s effort to portray this as a proper Old World Bentley with British heritage, despite it being a German-engineered piece. Note the organ pulls for the vents and the quilted leather, which contrast with the fully modern TFT gauge-cluster screen, touch-sensitive center-stack controls, and motorized widescreen infotainment display. It has internet connectivity, too, and rear-seat passengers get power-reclining seats, power footrests, and a cooled compartment for booze.
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. 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.
EXTERIOR DESIGN
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 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 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 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 and to 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 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. Twin exhaust tailpipes with ‘rifled’ inner surfaces, their elliptical shapes echo those of the rear light clusters.
INTERIOR DESIGN
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.
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.
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 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.
The EXP 9 F concept features 4+1 seating 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. When the rear seats are not in use, they can be powered forward to create a larger loadspace for sports equipment or luggage.
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.
