CONFIRMED: Bentley's Top Exec Says There's WON'T Be Another SUV, But There's A Catch...

One would think that if you introduce a product and it's a runaway sales success, you start preparing ammunition for round two. Well, not at Bentley.

According to a report, its President and CEO, Adrian Hallmark, has confirmed that the legendary British marque does not have any plans for a sport-utility vehicle sibling at this point in time. Apparently, the company has yet to even scratch the surface of what's possible with the luxury SUV.

This strikes us as a bit peculiar. Remember, the Bentayga makes up about 50 percent of Bentley's sales.

While the Bentayga certainly has an impressive interior, there's not much else going for it. Sure, it's quick. But it isn't much more than a glamours Audi Q7. That's taking into consideration its driving dynamics and ride quality, which is sub par for the price of admission.

There is a catch to what Hallmark said, however. He did note that he could see the company doing different twists on SUVs in the future. A bit vague, obviously, but then again he is a CEO protecting the company's plans.

...According to Adrian Hallmark, president and CEO of Bentley Motors, the Bentayga is more than enough for now.

Speaking exclusively to carsales following Bentley's 100th anniversary celebration at Crewe in England this month, Hallmark has was clear about the British brand’s SUV plans.“Direct answer?

We are not looking at that,” Hallmark said bluntly in response to our question about additional SUV models...

 

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PUGPROUD - 7/28/2019 4:17:19 PM

+1 Boost

My sense is Ferrari is going to make a cross between an SUV and a high riding sedan putting much greater emphasis on performance and that Bentley will follow suit with a vehicle of similar proportions but more heavily on the luxury side. The Aston coming may approach this type versus a full SUV. The Bentayga and Uris are ungainly and do need a rethink.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/28/2019 5:49:20 PM

0 Boost

@PP- The original DBX concept was truly a high riding car as a 3 door. But wanting to sell a lot of them, they just made their own Cayenne can called it a day. If they took a crazy shot in the dark and made the Cygnet, I am sure they could make a Maccan sized CUV too.

MDarringer - 7/28/2019 4:24:20 PM

-1 Boost

First of all, Bentiguan is a dumb name. Second, it's ugly. Third, why get a Bentley Bentiguan when the BMW X7 is so much better for a whole lot less?

The Bentley needs to be large and lovely to behold.

VWAG really needs to create a premium SUV platform for Porsche, Bentley, and Lamborghini to use.

Audi can reskin the Atlas and have a better vehicle than the Q7.

mre30 - 7/29/2019 8:34:21 AM

0 Boost

VW-Group SUV strategy is a big mess. VW Doubled Down on a 'too-small' premium platform (as a way to amortize the VW Touareg's tooling 15 years ago) and never changed.

The only vehicles in VW's large SUV stable that are the right size for their market at present are Cayenne and Atlas.

Urus=too big;
Q8=not big enough;
Bentayga=should be biggest in the Bentley lineup (kind of like how BMW nailed the X7 size);
Q7 = meh could be bigger

Macan, Q5, Tiguan = size is OK and Q5 and Macan sell well. Tiguan is too fussy and expensive for what it is.

Though an excellent size, the VW Atlas platform is too little, too late and that platform (platform size) should underpin a Bentayga and perhaps the Q7. The Bentayga should have a 120"+ wheelbase, then its proportions might work.

At the various Autoshows 4 years ago, the Bentayga's styling induced vomiting but Bentley just stuck with it.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/28/2019 4:42:19 PM

+1 Boost

Well if the market likes it (it is 50% of global sales and GT Continentals are not ugly or poor sellers) a whole bunch of somebody's with a lot of money like it. Even it my little part of the world I have already seen a few which I never expected. They could make a high riding car and call in the Continental GTX. A 4WS Shooting brake of sorts. They could also go long wheel base and bring back the Mulsanne esque concept and do that as a range topper. They are only limited by their imagination...

MDarringer - 7/28/2019 5:01:09 PM

-1 Boost

50% of minuscule is insignificant.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 7/28/2019 5:40:19 PM

0 Boost

@MD- 9560 units in 2018. Down from 11,300 in 2016. More like Ferrari figures than other brands. Rolls Royce did 4,105 in 2018.

MDarringer - 7/28/2019 5:59:48 PM

-1 Boost

minuscule