Since the EXP 9 F is being presented as a concept, Bentley says the powertrain portfolio hasn’t yet been determined. The show car has the company’s twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter W-12 and an eight-speed automatic; Bentley says the engine “could” produce 600 hp. It’s the same engine used in the Continental range. Bentley claims that such a powertrain would “set new benchmarks for the SUV sector” in terms of 0-to-60-mph acceleration and top speed. To do that, Bentley’s SUV would have to top the 500-hp Porsche Cayenne Turbo, a corporate cousin that sprints to 60 in 4.0 seconds flat and reaches 172 mph.But the new turbocharged 4.0-liter V-8 also will fit, as will a hybrid powertrain. We think all three will get the green light for production. If—or perhaps when—Bentley as a company decides to embrace some steroid-enhanced diesel engine for its vehicles, it would probably be installed in the SUV as well. We vote for the bonkers V-12 TDI from the Audi engine lineup.
production EXP 9 F likely will share its architectural basis with the next-gen Audi Q7, but alterations will leave the Bentley SUV with the same relationship to the Q7 as the Continental Flying Spur has to the Audi A8 and Volkswagen Phaeton. Still, the Bentley SUV should retain some of its platform’s off-road abilities, enabling Dubai dune bashing and Palm Springs curb-hopping. One would want to be careful not to damage the 23-inch rims, should they carry over from the EXP 9 F.
The official line from Bentley is that the EXP 9 F has been built to gauge customer reaction before any production decision is made. We doubt 15 minutes will pass after the SUV rolls onto the show stand before calls start coming in to place orders
