Mercedes-Benz GL will have another rival from Bentley, that will industrialize the concept EXP 9 F.
The luxury SUV will become a fashion in the next years. Lamborghini plans a 600 HP super SUV based on the Urus Concept, the Rolls-Royce engineers are working on the first SUV in the history of the British luxury carmaker and, on the same base, we will also see the BMW X7, Audi is thinking of an Audi Q8 based on the same MLB platform like the Bentley and the Aston Martin take into consideration an SUV to join a luxury saloon on the revival of Lagonda brand. If Lagonda SUV will get the green light, it will use the architecture and the AMG from the Mercedes GL.
So, if Mercedes GL only has one rival until now, which is the Range Rover, in the next years this exclusive and high price niche segment will be filled with other 5-6 newcomers, which don’t have any predecessor.
The Bentley upcoming crossover has been caught again – this time undergoing testing in Germany and especially screaming down the curvy Nürburgring. Snapped wearing a disguised production body, the model resembles an odd mash up of the Continental GT and EXP 9 F concept. Thankfully, the styling cues from the latter model have been toned down as the prototype has thick padding that attempts to hide the more svelte shape.
The crossover will have a digital instrument cluster and circular air vents that protrude from the top of the dashboard. We also expect a dual cockpit layout with plenty of wood trim and metallic accents.
Bentley is keeping the secret of specifications, but we know that the future SUV will use the new MLB platform. In the VW concern, Audi is responsible for the new MLB platform – the modular platform for engines longitudinally placed. This platform will be the base for the future Audi Q8 and Q7, but also for the next generation of Audi saloon and Avant version from A4 to A8.
Like in case of the Continental, we expect the same engines from the luxury coupe: the new 4.0 litre V8 and possibly even the company’s 6.0 litre V12. The petrol versions will go on sale in 2016 but the British luxury marque has also confirmed plans for a plug-in hybrid variant in 2017.
Foto: Automedia
