Bentley is preparing to build a 4x4 SUV, the new CEO Wolfgang Durheimer confirmed tonight. Speaking at a select dinner in Crewe, the Bentley boss said the luxury car maker would build a crossover SUV as a priority.
But in a revealing address, Durheimer also spelled out plans for diesel Bentleys, hybrid Bentleys and a return to the race track for Britain's famous luxury car marque.
Bentley SUV: project BY736
CAR understands the Bentley 4x4 already has a codename: BY736. It will be related to the modular architecture of the next-generation Audi Q7/VW Touareg/Porsche Cayenne - a lightweight matrix, which is designed to trim 200-400kg from the bulk of today's SUV.
Durheimer confirmed that future Bentleys would feature both diesel and hybrid technologies. We'd say the new Bentley 4x4 would be as good a place as any to start the new powertrain innovation.
Durheimer on Bentley's SUV
'I am a believer of SUVs in different markets,' said Durheimer, who was previously Porsche's R&D director who worked on the launch of the Cayenne. 'If Bentley were able to sell an SUV with the same level of craftsmanship as a Continental or Mulsanne, we could have an interesting success on our hands.
'I believe our version of the Cayenne could become our biggest selling vehicle... With an SUV, Porsche doubled in size.'
Durheimer is still working on the business case, but go-ahead is likely from Wolfsburg in 2011. He said from conception to launch would take around three years.
Although he refused to rule out a precise sales target with a big-selling SUV added to the range, he admitted the Volkswagen group wanted to push Bentley sales beyond its existing, pre-recession record of 10,000 a year. He even claimed that 30,000 Bentleys a year wouldn't devalue the brand.
What will the Bentley 4x4 look like?
Thanks to the aluminium spaceframe construction, Bentley's SUV can look quite different to its mainland European brethren. A five-door shooting brake is how insiders describe the 4x4 - a luxurious yet sporty four- or five-seater which features all available mod cons from air suspension to a complete set of driver assistance systems.
The Bentley crossover will be priced higher than the Cayenne or Range Rover. Project BY736 will be a coupe-like soft-roader will be much better at scoring street cred points than at making room for a third row of seats. Imagine our artist's impression with a dash more sporting style, and you're not far off.
The engineering story
Engineers at the VW group confirm the proposed Bentley 4x4 would be based around the MLB Evo matrix. The latest group architecture is so efficient, it would share around 60-75% of its parts with partner off-roaders by VW, Porsche and Audi.
Fixed points include the wheel diameter, the suspension geometry complete with steering assembly and brake system, the crash performance (front/rear/side) complete with airbags and seatbelts, the electronic platform and the drivetrains. Variables within a given bracket are wheelbase, height, length, width, track, overhangs and the exterior/interior design.
What will power Bentley's SUV crossover?
CAR understands a plug-in hybrid assembly will be available, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 borrowed from the 2012 Conti GT looks like the logical base unit for BY736.
Diesel is a dead cert. Durheimer admitted the biofuel experiment by Bentley had been a mistake, although an interesting detour. No further E85 development will take place, the company instead investing in the group's diesel and hybrid tech.
Although a more highly tuned 375bhp edition of the 4.2-litre V8 TDI should offer plenty of go and grunt, an EU6-rated V12 TDI would be a more natural fit for Bentley, which is becoming the VW group's centre of excellence for 12-cylinder engines, Durheimer revealed. The uprated direct-injection twin-turbo W12 is also there for the taking, although it would have little appeal in Europe.
[Source : http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/Secret-new-cars/Search-Results/Spyshots/Bentley-SUV-2014---confirmed-by-CEO/]
The new ABT Q3 - Kempten commitment to maximum urban sportiness
|Thursday, August 11, 2011
“The Q3 is an extremely athletic yet very elegant vehicle. It combines the powerful aesthetics of a robust car with the shape of a cool coupe”, explains Hans-Jürgen Abt. For the CEO of ABT Sportsline, the world’s largest tuner of vehicles from the VW Group, the latest offspring of the SUV family represents an absolute highlight in the product range: “In its class the Q3 is something special. For our designers it provides the perfect working basis, as it is both classy and dynamic”, states Hans-Jürgen Abt. For example the Abts were able to further accentuate the unique tornado curves of the Q3 with side sills. In connection with the striking ABT front grill and the front spoiler the inherently compact car seems more powerful and to have more presence. The rear wing, rear apron and exhaust pipe covers ensure that from the rear of the SUV you can see that the car has a good figure.
After all the ABT Q3 does not just look sporty – it is sporty too: the engineers from Bavaria are currently working on the final tests of the individual ABT POWER performance packages. But it is already certain that the new car will provide an additional boost of maximum sportiness and extra driving enjoyment in practically all situations. As a result the most powerful version of the 2.0 TSI is expected to offer 250 HP or 184 kW (series standard: 211 HP/155 kW). The 170 HP version (125 kW) has been converted by ABT Sportsline into a sports engine with 210 HP (154 kW). For SUVs, a diesel engine is of course always a good, economical solution. As a result ABT POWER is also available for both performance levels of the economic 2.0 TDI: the series standard 140 HP (103 kW) is increased to 170 HP (125 kW), while the version with 177 HP (130 kW) as standard offers a high-torque 195 HP (143 kW) after the power treatment by ABT. The turbo diesel with two litre cubic capacity is the first choice if you want a little more, for example if the athletic ABT Q3 is also to be used as a workhorse.
Regardless of which engine is chosen, the customer always receives a vehicle which combines maximum driving fun with everyday usability and reliability. The fact that handling and optics do not have to suffer due to the car’s diversity is proved emphatically by the SUV of ABT. And the new Q3 in particular is a really attractive car, its design elements harmonise with the performance improvements – both have been developed as it were from the high demands of ABT customers. Consequently the extravagant light metal alloys from the CR and DR ranges suit the ABT Q3’s powerful-robust coupe shape perfectly. It goes without saying that the alloys are also available in combination with strong load-bearing high-performance tyres – in accordance with the commitment to maximum urban sportiness.
The new ABT Q3 – data and facts
ABT engine technology
[Source : ABT Sportline]
Regardless of which engine is chosen, the customer always receives a vehicle which combines maximum driving fun with everyday usability and reliability. The fact that handling and optics do not have to suffer due to the car’s diversity is proved emphatically by the SUV of ABT. And the new Q3 in particular is a really attractive car, its design elements harmonise with the performance improvements – both have been developed as it were from the high demands of ABT customers. Consequently the extravagant light metal alloys from the CR and DR ranges suit the ABT Q3’s powerful-robust coupe shape perfectly. It goes without saying that the alloys are also available in combination with strong load-bearing high-performance tyres – in accordance with the commitment to maximum urban sportiness.
The new ABT Q3 – data and facts
ABT engine technology
- Engine : 2.0 TDI, 1.968 ccm capacity
- Performance tuning : ABT POWER
- Performance : 170 HP/125 kW (standard: 140 HP/103 kW)
- Engine : 2.0 TDI, 1.968 ccm capacity
- Performance tuning : ABT POWER
- Performance : 195 HP/143 kW (standard: 177 HP/130 kW)
- Engine : 2.0 TSI, 1.984 ccm capacity
- Performance tuning : ABT POWER
- Performance : 210 HP/154 kW (standard: 170 HP/125 kW)
- Engine : 2.0 TSI, 1.984 ccm capacity
- Performance tuning : ABT POWER
- Performance : 250 HP/184 kW (standard: 211 HP/155 kW)
- ABT front grill
- ABT front skirt
- ABT door strip attachments
- ABT rear skirt set with exhaust inserts
- ABT rear wing
- ABT suspension springs
- ABT CR and DR designer light alloy wheels in 18 to 20 inch
- Available also as complete set of wheels with sports tyres
[Source : ABT Sportline]
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