Geneva motor show 2012: Bentley's SUV Concept Several British-designed concept cars are making a splash at Geneva. None more so than this massive (in all senses) departure for Bentley, the EXP 9F. It's a hyper-luxury 4x4 off-roader concept. And the Crewe firm is highly likely to bring something very similar to production for 2016. Powered by the company's 600bhp W12 engine, it's supposed to be the fastest off-roader in the world. Inside, it's a haven of Bentley luxury. But to express the more rugged intentions of possible off-road adventures, much of the cockpit is lined in hard-wearing saddle leather. The driver's eye-point is nearly as tall as in a Range Rover, because road-bound 4x4 drivers demand a literal sense of superiority. But the roof height is lower, to give a sportier edge. And the wheelbase is 200mm longer, to give the sort of rear legroom that Bentley Mulsanne limo passengers enjoy. Technical features will be shared with the next-generation of large 4x4s built by Bentley's fellow subsidiaries in the VW Group: Porsche, Audi and VW. Bentley's CEO Wolfgang Duerheimer was formerly engineering chief at Porsche when the Cayenne 4x4 was developed, and he is adamant about the extra profit such a vehicle could bring to Bentley. We did the Cayenne for a business case of 20,000 cars per year. It now sells 60,000," he says. He expects that a Bentley, if approved for production, could work at 3,500 units a year, at about £130-150,000. Last year Bentley sold 7,003 cars overall. Duerheimer worries that Bentley is a cyclical business. It has recently renewed its two main car ranges, the Mulsanne limousine and Continental coupé and convertible. So for the next few years there are no major projects to occupy the engineers, and by about four years from now the sales will be starting to wilt pending the arrival of the next generations of cars. If the engineers start on a 4x4 now, and it's introduced in 2016, then the business turnover will be smoother. And he's convinced it will be an earner in itself. Most Bentley owners have five or 10 other cars. And one of those other cars tends to be a posh off-roader - a Cayenne or Range Rover or top-end Mercedes ML. To Duerheimer, it's obvious to try to tempt them into a Bentley 4x4 instead. Such people aren't likely to fret about the frantic thirst - or the social brashness - of this 12-cylinder turbo motorised mansion. But if they do, he is also mooting a version with a plug-in hybrid drivetrain. A fig leaf, sure, but it seems you've got to be seen to try.