Skip advert
Advertisement

New Bentley model for 2018

A fifth model will join the Bentley range in 2018, with the potential for a sports car or a new coupe

Bentley will be adding a fifth model line to its range in 2018, and the company’s CEO has got two ideas in mind: a two-seater sports car and a car priced between the Continental GT and the Mulsanne.

The sports car would most likely be powered by the company’s 4.0-litre V8 engine and will come with four-wheel drive. Durheimer did suggest that rear-wheel-drive versions of future Bentleys were possible, though only for niche models.

Advertisement - Article continues below

As for the model priced between the Continental and the Mulsanne, Bentley suggested it would most likely be a coupe as the Flying Spur already fills that gap as a saloon.

“Our designers are extremely busy right now preparing designs for each of them and we are preparing business cases. We will make the decision when we have more information,” said Bentley’s CEO Wolfgang Durheimer.

Asked if we would see a concept of either of the new models, Durheimer said: “If I answer honestly, I would like to do both.” You’ll probably have to wait until the company’s SUV is fully revealed towards the end of 2015 before seeing anything, though as a decision on the new model won’t be made until mid-2016.

When it comes to it, Bentley will be looking to public reaction and potential profit before deciding which new model takes priority. “It needs to show in the business case; I would do the model that makes more money first,” said Durheimer.

Durheimer also went on to confirm a few more details about the SUV, due to be on sale early in 2016. “Look at another competitor luxury SUV here in the UK [Range Rover] and if you add all the options it will cost about £140,000. We have solved the problem of not being able to spend more than £140,000,” Durheimer joked.

As for powertrains, Bentley confirmed that it’ll only be available with a W12 engine for its first year on sale but a plug-in hybrid and a diesel will follow. The hybrid will allow customers to drive around 30 miles on electric power, while also decreasing emissions by 60% compared with the W12.

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Million-pound Bentley Batur inspires extravagant Ducati Diavel motorcycle
Ducati Diavel and Bentey Batur
News

Million-pound Bentley Batur inspires extravagant Ducati Diavel motorcycle

500 Ducati Diavel for Bentley bikes will be produced, with 50 more receiving extra special treatment from Bentley’s Mulliner coachbuilding division
8 Dec 2023
How Bentley Mulliner made us a bespoke Bentley for £325,000
Auto Express editor-at-large John McIlroy talking with Bentley Mulliner representative Phillip Dean
Features

How Bentley Mulliner made us a bespoke Bentley for £325,000

We see behind the scenes of Bentley’s Mulliner service, then build a car just how we’d want it
6 Nov 2023
Bentley Bentayga gets an A for new 2024 update
Bentley Bentayga - A
News

Bentley Bentayga gets an A for new 2024 update

Bentley’s high-end luxury SUV range picks up subtle updates for the 2024 model year with a new ‘A’ trim level
27 Sep 2023
Bentley W12: farewell to an iconic engine
Bentley W12 line-up
Features

Bentley W12: farewell to an iconic engine

As the British brand’s iconic engine prepares for its final curtain, we sample three Bentley cars that are powered by the twin-turbo unit
1 May 2023

Most Popular

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”
Opinion - MG4
Opinion

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”

The wave of Chinese cars has arrived in the UK, and Mike Rutherford thinks it’s not about to stop any time soon
17 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: breathtaking Lotus Emira V6 for £45k and an I.O.U.
Lotus Emira - driving
News

Car Deal of the Day: breathtaking Lotus Emira V6 for £45k and an I.O.U.

Our Deal of the Day for 15 March is a half-now, half-later plan for the last-ever petrol-powered Lotus sports car
15 Mar 2024
New Audi A5 Sportback and Avant: prices, specs and info on sleek new compact execs
New Audi A5 Avant - exclusive image
News

New Audi A5 Sportback and Avant: prices, specs and info on sleek new compact execs

The new ICE and hybrid Audi A5 is due by year’s end in hatchback and estate forms
15 Mar 2024