Bentley Boss Confirms SUV, Hints At Smaller Sports Car: Report

Reports of a Bentley-badged luxury SUV have been bolstered this week by comments from CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer at the recent Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California.

Speaking with US magazine Autoweek, Duerheimer confirmed rumours that a platform from within the Volkswagen empire is being adapted to suit the British brand's needs.

“This car will not be made from scratch," he said. "But you can use existing components with different settings and calibrations."

Duerheimer said that while Bentley's SUV will draw components from its partner brands, the end product will be "typically Bentley," with a focus on top-end luxury appointments and best-of-the-best materials.

Buyers should not expect Bentley's 430kW V12 engine to star under the bonnet however, with the former Porsche executive not ruling the idea out - but reminding that "not everyone needs to have a V12".

Duerheimer also hinted at a possible new four-seat sports car in the Bentley line-up, smaller and placed beneath the leviathanic Continental GT.

While he would not offer details of substance, Duerheimer said the car would be "contemporary, fast and futuristic".