Bentley is actively considering several new models with the company?s engineering director, Rolf Frech, admitting that another SUV model would be an ?obvious direction? for the brand to take following on from the early sales success of the Bentayga.
Although Frech he remained predictably tight-lipped on the exact details of Bentley?s future model strategy, he admitted that the brand is looking to expand on several different fronts, confirmation of remarks recently made by Bentley CEO Wolfgang Dürheimer that Bentley ultimately will produce seven different model lines.
He confirmed that the next-generation Continental will come first, with development well on its way for a launch in?we think?2018. Although it was given a heavy mid-life makeover for 2011 (and again for 2016), much of the current Conti GT (and its cabriolet and Flying Spur sister) dates back to 2003. Frech confirms that the new car will continue to be offered with both V-8 and W-12 engines. ?We did so much work with the W-12 in the Bentayga and that was to make it available in all markets, to fulfill all the legislation,? Frech told us. ?The decision we made when we decided to use it was to continue with it for the long term. Other manufacturers can say it?s a dying element, but if you sit in such a car and drive it then you realize it still has very strong emotional appeal.?

The current Bentley Continental GT was updated for 2016.
Frech admits that it might ultimately be necessary to offer the W-12 in conj...