Bentley SUV coming in 2016

It's official: Bentley will roll out its first and, what is most likely going to be, the world's costliest SUV in 2016.

A sketch of its upcoming SUV released by Bentley

Volkswagen, the Europe's largest automaker, has given the green signal to its ultra-luxury brand to start building a sports utility vehicle that appeals to its wealthy customers.

In a statement issued today, Bentley said that it will invest over £800 million (Rs 7,337.57 crore) in its Crewe plant in the UK.

While the vehicle will be based on the Bentley EXP 9F concept presented at the Geneva Motor Show last year, the design is believed to have changed substantially.

While the first-ever Bentley SUV will be based on the EXP 9 F concept presented at the Geneva Motor Show last year, the design is believed to have changed substantially

The vehicle is likely to have a starting price of $237,000 (Rs 1.42 crore), according to unconfirmed media reports. Bentley has claimed that the vehicle will be the most powerful SUV on the market when it goes on sale three years from now.

Bentley's chairman and chief executive, Dr Wolfgang Schreiber, said: "This is excellent news for Bentley and for the UK. Bentley is increasingly successful and this new fourth model line will leverage the success of the global SUV market. The support of everyone involved with the company has been fundamental to this decision."

Bentley EXP 9F concept

Bentley first made clear that it seriously intends to enter SUV segment when it unveiled the EXP 9F concept at Geneva Motor Show last year. Tuesday's press announcement of the SUV by Bentley, however, has no mention of the concept SUV, which could mean that the new SUV may have a different name, design and specs.

The bespoke interiors of the Bentley EXP 9F concept

The four-seater concept SUV unveiled in Geneva last year is powered by a 600PS/800Nm 6.0-litre W12 engine. It offers a 500PS 4.0-litre petrol V8 and, for the more economically conscious, a V6 plug-in hybrid.

Bentley says that in all-electric mode, the EXP 9F has a 30km range and carbon emissions as low as 130g/km. Bentley claims that the hybrid will do the 0-100kmph run in under five seconds. There are three driving modes on offer â€" Comfort, Sport and Off-Road.