Report: Bentley’s EXP 9F canned, but possibly hints at new SUV/crossover

CARandDRIVER has learned that Bentley’s chief designer, Luc Donckerwolke, has cancelled the production of the EXP 9F Concept. Instead, Bentley seeks to work on a sportier and more “contemporary interpretation of an SUV,” which in less complicated vernacular, sounds like a crossover is in the works implicitly judging by the word usage.

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Additionally, progress has been reported to be good for preparing the next-generation Continental GT, which promises to leave its current Volkswagen-inspired design in the pages of history. Donckerwolke also apparently said that Bentley will do more to differentiate the four-door Flying Spur from the two-door Continental GT in the looks department.

Despite the polarizing reception of the EXP 9F Concept, Donckerwolke is no stranger to the auto design industry and has been cited as a “genuine car guy” (aren’t we all?). His resume is rather extensive as he graduated from the Art Center College of Design in Vevey, Switzerland. He was then scooped by Audi in 1992 and throughout 1998 held various positions between Audi and Skoda. In 1998, he moved to Lamborghini and became their chief designer by 2003. Since then, he’s worked for SEAT and has become the head of Volkswagen Group’s design in 2011.

Not only that, he has quite the interesting ownership list as well. You’ll find that his list consists of a Lamborghini Espada, a Miura, a VW-Porsche 914/6 race car, a BMW 3.0CSI, and a Fiat 850 Coupe Sport. Quite a genuine car guy indeed.

– By: Chris Chin

Source: CARandDRIVER