So everyone has them- Range Rovers, Porsche Cayennes, Mercedes Benz G-Class and now Bentley has confirmed they are joining the SUV competition ring. These rumors have been circulating for the last fiveyears however, Bentley CEO Wolfgang Durheimer has recently confirmed this is a distinct possibility.
“The traditional perception of brands – Bentley as the maker of large, luxurious sedans – is open to expansion…There appears to be customers out there who are willing to spend that much on a luxury SUV,” Michael Tyndall, ananalyst at Barclays Capital in London tells the media in recent interview. The SUV market is booming, in 2005 luxury SUVs sold 298,654 units, that number almost doubled in 2010 with 417,000 units. The auto industry predicts that come 2015 the SUV segment will grow by 15 percent, no wonder Bentley is eager tobranch out.
Nothing is set at this time but it is believed the SUV would hit the market and showrooms between 2013 and 2015. Rumor has it that the Bentley design team is taking their inspiration from Porsche.
But is it really necessary? Right now, the most expensive SUV on the market is the Land Rover Range Rover Autobiography ($116,950), the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG ($125,325), and the Porsche Cayenne Turbo ($108,075). Is there really room above that bracket for a $150,000 SUV, even with the flying B on the hood and does the world really need such a premium luxury SUV? Bentley Providence and Bentley Scottsdale are closely monitoring the Bentley SUV development. Penske Bentley will keep you posted if we hear any breaking news.
