Bentley SUV model could get plug-in hybrid powertrain… if approved

February 28, 2012March 1, 2012 Omar Rana 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley SUV, Concepts

Next week at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, Bentley will take the covers off of its new SUV concept, hinting at a new model that it is forecasting sales of 25,000 units, CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer told Automotive News Europe.

Duerheimer said that the SUV could be launched within three years if it gathers enough positive reaction from the crowd and if the higher-ups at Volkswagen AG give the approval. A decision could be made by the end of 2012.

Duerheimer said that Bentely plans to sell a total of 3,500 to 5,000 units of the SUV on a global scale

“If we decide to build this vehicle, we want to give it our first ever plug-in hybrid powertrain,” Duerheimer said.