FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) – Does anyone really need a sport-utility vehicle so fast it can hit speeds close to those seen in Formula One races? Luxury automaker Bentley is betting that some well-heeled customers will feel that they do.
Its new Bentayga SUV that is on display at the Frankfurt International Motor Show has a top speed of 301 kph (187 mph), not too far behind the 200-mph plus speeds that race cars reach. It accelerates to 100 kph (62 mph) in 4.1 seconds – speed and power more like a sports car than an off-road vehicle.
Starting at 175,200 euros in Europe and $221,600 in the United States, the Bentayga exemplifies the trend for makers of high-priced vehicles to get into the SUV segment – even if their reputation might be for another kind of car. That could be high-priced passenger rides in Bentley’s case, or sports cars, such as with Jaguar, which is showing off its first SUV at the Frankfurt show.
Analysts say luxury carmakers are stretching their brand image to offer more types of vehicle and expand sales in the premium segment. That’s where profit margins are highest, while mass market carmakers often struggle to break even.
Mercedes-Benz, already in in the SUV game, is offering the GLC, a redone version of its GLK mid-size SUV. Maserati, a brand that like Jaguar is best known for its sports cars, is expected to unveil its new Levante SUV in the coming months. Tesla’s high-performance SUV-like crossover, the Model X, will start reaching customers Sept. 29. It won’t be on display in Frankfurt; Tesla doesn’t bring production models to auto shows before they go on sale.