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bluedigger

(17,086 posts)
Sun Jun 17, 2012, 06:47 PM Jun 2012

Yes, This Is A Bentley SUV. Keep Playing The Lottery

[div class="excerpt" style="border-left: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-top: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-radius: 0.3077em 0.3077em 0em 0em; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px #bfbfbf;"]Yes, This Is A Bentley SUV. Keep Playing The Lottery[div class="excerpt" style="border-left: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-bottom: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-right: 1px solid #bfbfbf; border-radius: 0em 0em 0.3077em 0.3077em; background-color: #f4f4f4; box-shadow: 2px 2px 6px #bfbfbf;"]Luxury, thy name is Bentley. The British automotive brand has been handcrafting high-class rides in England since 1919, and while the silhouettes have certainly evolved over the last century, driving--or being driven in--any one of their models around town is still the ultimate status symbol (though it somehow seems more fitting to see one, parked and gleaming, on a long curving driveway in front of an over-the-top mansion, MTV-Cribs-style). EXP 9 F, the most recent concept car to enter Bentley’s fleet, is a thoroughly modern incarnation--the company’s first foray into Sport Utility Vehicles. Ladies and gents, sirs and madams, wealthy soccer moms and dads, behold: It’s a Bentley SUV.

Behind the iconic “matrix” grill is a vehicle that does not skimp on indulgent details: one-piece wood veneer dash, silk wool floor mats, steering wheel carved to feel like a shotgun stock, 23-inch alloy wheels, panoramic glass roof panel. All-wheel drive complements a 6.0 liter, turbo-charged W12 engine, meaning it’s got the power to go off-road. It’s doubtful anyone with enough cash to purchase one of these would actually take it anywhere remotely “sporting,” but most SUVs on the road today likely spend their time shuttling around cities in stop-and-go traffic, not traversing the wilds. Those relegated to the back seat can console themselves by watching the “infotainment” screens facing them on the front-seat headrests, while controlling both the multimedia and rear climate levels with a dedicated touch screen.

Is the EXP 9 F nice? Yes. Is it necessary? Probably not. It’s a fairly blatant attempt by Bentley to grab some of the relevance back from Porsche and Ferrari, who have had success with an SUV and a four-door, squarely aimed at more family-oriented buyers. And for all its unabashed opulence, it looks almost … average. Like you’d have to see the winged “B” emblem adorning the hood to believe it really and truly was a Bentley.

(H/T Dexigner) http://www.fastcodesign.com/1670048/yes-this-is-a-bentley-suv-keep-playing-the-lottery?partner=pob#15

I could probably buy 10 Jeeps for one of these (or more), but the integrated GPS in the instrument panel is pretty cool, I must admit.

8 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Yes, This Is A Bentley SUV. Keep Playing The Lottery (Original Post) bluedigger Jun 2012 OP
"And if you buy now, zbdent Jun 2012 #1
I thought I'd get one for each of my residences. bluedigger Jun 2012 #2
ah, a bulk customer ... zbdent Jun 2012 #3
Who you calling bulky, Slick? bluedigger Jun 2012 #4
Wait ... your name isn't Rohert Hruce Hanner? zbdent Jun 2012 #5
No, but some people say they see a resemblance under certain conditions. bluedigger Jun 2012 #6
yup ... zbdent Jun 2012 #7
Nice crazyrayray Jan 2013 #8

zbdent

(35,392 posts)
1. "And if you buy now,
Sun Jun 17, 2012, 06:56 PM
Jun 2012

we'll even throw in this nifty auto elevator for your garage. Just let us know which house to deliver it to!"

bluedigger

(17,086 posts)
6. No, but some people say they see a resemblance under certain conditions.
Mon Jun 18, 2012, 09:19 AM
Jun 2012

I maintain it just depends on the lighting.

 

crazyrayray

(19 posts)
8. Nice
Mon Jan 7, 2013, 08:52 PM
Jan 2013

I would totally buy one, if it came in primer grey and rust, with cracked vinyl seats and no radio.

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