From here: New EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept Hints At Potential Bentley Sports Car
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Last summer, Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer revealed the British automaker was looking to add a fifth model to its existing Continental, Flying Spur, Mulsanne and soon-to-arrive Bentayga nameplates, and that it had two leading proposals: a two-seater sports car and a more conventional offering (possibly a four-door coupe) positioned between the Continental GT and Mulsanne. Now, at this weeks 2015 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley is hinting at one of those proposals, the sports car, with a new concept dubbed the EXP 10 Speed 6. The concepts arrival doesnt guarantee production of a new Bentley sports car, but rather the automaker plans to use the vehicle to gauge potential interest in a production version, just as it did with the Bentayga-previewing EXP 9 F concept unveiled at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. EXP 10 Speed 6 is one vision for Bentleys futurea powerful, exquisite and individual concept, Dürheimer said at tonights reveal in Geneva. It could be a future model line, alongside the Continental GT and redefining the pinnacle of another market sector, and the styling of the EXP 10 Speed 6 could influence the expansion of the Bentley family. Importantly, the EXP 10 Speed 6 also previews future design elements and technology coming to Bentleys other lines, namely, the next-generation Continental due in the coming years. We especially like the muscular, athletic surfaces that look like the aerodynamic shapes of aircraft fuselages and wings. Theres also a new interpretation of the iconic Bentley grille and the automaker's signature four-round headlamps design. Inside, Bentley has also stuck with current themesbut with a thoroughly moderntwist. The inspiration here comes from the continuous line that runs around the cabin, driving through the console and into two symmetrical wings before flowing into the door and looping back into the console armrest. Two quilted bucket seats are positioned either side of the narrow center console which houses most of the driver controls and a 12-inch, curved touchscreendisplay. The rest of the surfaces are all lined in the finest leather, wood and aluminum materials. Copper accents, found both in the cabin and on the exterior, highlight the vehicles hybrid powertrain. Bentley doesnt go into detail but says any production version should have a top speed that challenge competitors and defines a new segment benchmark. Rivals in this segment would include the production version of Maseratis Alfieri sports car, the new Mercedes-AMG GT and high-end versions of the iconic Porsche 911. Interestingly, the platform underpinning the EXP 10 Speed 6 is likely to be the Volkswagen Groups new MSB for front-engined, rear-wheel-drive cars, which was developed primarily by Porsche. |